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Why animal welfare matters for sustainable development

Over a three day conference, the world's environmental ministers met online and in Nairobi, Kenya for the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The overall theme of UNEA-5 was “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all", established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

Although several of the SDG's 169 targets focus on conservation of species, biodiversity, and habitats, none target references the well-being of individual animals. And while UNEA-5 did acknowledge that nature plays a pivotal role in "our lives and in social, economic and environmental sustainable development" - there is a noticeable absence of a distinct call to action to protect animal well-being.

Ahead of the Conference, seven countries from Africa and South Asia tabled a resolution on animal welfare that calls on countries to protect animals in their efforts to pursue sustainable development. A recent article on the SDG Knowledge Hub makes a compelling case for why this is important to animal lovers and non-animal lovers alike:Our relationship with animals matters for our physical and mental health: COVID-19 is as a strong reminder that human and non-human animal welfare is linked. To ignore one, is it ignore both.The experiences of non-human animals matter: There is a growing understanding among researchers and governments that animals experience positive and negative experiences, making their well-being a matter of morality, as well as health.If you are interested in reading more on UNEA-5 and the latest on international animal welfare policy, the full article has a number of interesting stats and examples that help bring the issue to life.

Andrea Cisterno is staying in Ukraine with 400 animals at a refuge outside Kyiv.

The animal activists in Ukraine

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, the eyes of the world are focused on the horrifying scenes of war and the humanitarian crisis it has created. While plenty of negative news will finds its way into our lives, we wanted to take a moment to share the stories of courage on display by animal activists in Ukraine. We hope that among the brutality of war, these everyday heroes restore a bit of faith in humanity.Meet Andrea Cisterno who owns an animal rescue shelter in Kyiv. Andrea, originally from Italy, has around 400 animals in his care including cats, dogs, sheep, cows and goats. A recent Facebook post from Andrea reads: “I will die here for my animals… I have to think about saving a refuge and it’s 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost.” It is hard to overstate the bravery and courage it takes to stand in the path of war to save these animals. To hear more from Andrea, check out an interview with Euronews.As the refugee crisis grows, so does the number of displaced animals. Neighbouring countries are stepping up by easing the paperwork required to transport an animal across borders. Many local shelters in cities bordering Ukraine have also opened their doors to Ukrainian pets and have shared resources to help pet owners find safe haven.Meanwhile, international aid organizations such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are finding ways to provide veterinary supplies and funding to support the animals remaining in Ukraine. One organization making strides on the ground is the animal welfare charity UAnimals who have helped evacuate zoo animals to Poland, distribute food to shelters in Kyiv and are using social media to share companion animal first aid information on social media. Our thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine, and we hope for a peaceful resolution that results in a sovereign and democratic Ukraine.

Photo by Madison Inouye.

Mental Health Matters

While it has been widely documented that veterinarians experience higher rates of mental health issues than the general population, a new study has shown that many veterinary professionals and students do not seek help when they experience distress.

The study screened more than 500 veterinary students for depression and anxiety symptoms and asked about their experiences using mental health resources.

“We found many respondents say the high-achieving and perfectionist culture that often comes with the veterinary field can contribute to not only the stigma of others thinking you are a failure if you reach out for help, but also the internalization of that stigma, where they themselves start to feel ashamed for needing help.” said Tamara Hancock, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.We all know the toll that the profession has on our well-being and that of our colleagues. Please take care of yourselves and check in on your colleagues. There is no shame in using resources available to you to maintain your health - physical or mental.Your mental health matters.If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are ways to get help. Find resources in your country:CanadaUnited StatesUKAustralia

Trivia

What color is the blood of an Atlantic horseshoe crab?

Plus more on the wild world of colorful blood from across the animal kingdom. Find the answer below.

Quick hits:

Here are the stories that caught our eyes this week and are worth a read: El Salvador’s first Bitcoin-powered veterinary hospital opened this week [TechStory]The Internet of Things in the Veterinary Industry [Analytics Insight]WSAVA introduces the Veterinary Oncology Glossary [WSAVA]BC SPCA to increase access to affordable veterinary care with PetSmart Charities® grant [SPCA]

Trivia Answer

The blue blood of Atlantic horseshoe crabs clots when it comes in contact with bacterial toxins which makes it a helpful tool for ensuring medical drugs are safe and free from contaminants. Blood from 500,000 crab are harvested each year and then returned to the ocean.

Read more about animal blood that comes in a rainbow of colors on

National Geographic.

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