Statement from Dr Linda Joyce-Jones:
My highly successful campaign to get the Welsh Government to ban wild animals in circuses here in #Cymru showed just what can be achieved when "ordinary" people come together and stand up to the plate. If the last year has shown anything it has demonstrated that here in Wales we do things differently.
Once upon a time dedicated professionals set up their plates to practice as Veterinary Surgeons and RVN's until in 1999 legislation was changed and the corporate takeover of their once proud veterinary profession started. The idea of them having greater buying power thus enabling state of the art practices to be developed is an interesting concept . One that seems to forget completely that the profit driven shareholders have to take their cut first long before animal welfare, ethics or morality are considered.
This concept may work in the retail sector, but it has no place in a profession which should be focused on the welfare of the innocent animals who are entrusted into their care, plus the animals families. Coupled with the wellbeing of those dedicated professionals who seek to carry out their oath.
The veterinary profession here in Cymru and the UK has reached crisis point. With vast numbers of professionals walking away from the profession they love rather than working in a climate that goes against everything they stand for. Yet the RCVS ( Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) and the BVA( British Veterinary Association) seem to make no link between this mass corporate takeover and the other heartbreaking solution some within the profession are choosing- suicide.
I am looking for premises to open a Cat Caffi in Caernarfon which will be none for profit all the money we make will go into opening a fully independently run veterinary practice. Because My Rosa was a rescue Cat this place will also seek to support our two local rescue's Anglesey & District Feline Support & Rescue and Freshfields Animal Rescue (Wales).
The veterinary practice will also be non for profit with all the money made going back into the practice to buy more equipment. The practice/ #CatCaffi will be heavily into education for the family's of companion animals. We hope to work with a Holistic vet and establish a network of Distinct Veterinary Nurses who will work under the supervision of a VS going into people's homes so helping animals in their home environment.
Action needs to be taken and we the guardians of these animals can pull together and do this ...working along side many veterinary professionals who are as uncomfortable as we are with the corporate takeover. Thus giving them a chance to work in an environment where the welfare of animals and their guardians are central to everything that is done. Rather than the profit driven equity shareholders that the corporate's need to satisfy.
I am calling on our Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament's Climate Change and Environment Committee chaired by Llyr Huws Gruffydd MS to start an investigation into the effects the corporate takeover has had on animal welfare, their guardians and members of the #veterinary industry here in Cymru.
I am grateful to the many veterinary surgeons and RVN's who are helping me with this project. Together with Business Wales, Gwynedd Council, Caernarfon Town Council and many local tradespeople.
Forward we go ... #4theanimals #Onevetteam .