Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Zoetis chief medical officer advocates for the profession
Dr McFarland has dedicated his career to advocating for the health and well-being of animals.

Dr Mike McFarland launches documentary series to mark World Veterinary Day. 

A vet is on a mission to raise awareness of the ways veterinary professionals can improve the world by advancing animal care.

Speaking ahead of World Veterinary Day (30 April), Dr Mike McFarland, global chief medical offer at Zoetis, highlighted the opportunity to recognise the growing importance of veterinary professionals and their pivotal role in protecting public health. 

“When people think of their veterinarian, they think of that person as the caretaker of their animal’s health. But the stakes are much higher than that,” he said. “Veterinarians play a critical role in providing for your animal’s health, your family’s health, your community’s health and our global public health.” 

A veterinary surgeon for more than 35 years, Dr McFarland has dedicated his career to advocating for the health and well-being of animals and the veterinary professionals who care for them. 

He helped lead Zoetis emergency responses to the Louisiana floods, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and other major crises. He is also the co-creator and executive sponsor of the Zoetis K-9 Courage Programme, which helps retired military and police dogs with annual health care costs at veterinary clinics. 

To honour the importance of veterinary professionals, Zoetis has launched a new minidocumentary series called FutureBound.

The series will follow Dr McFarland as he visits veterinary experts to showcase impactful stories of veterinary care transformation, the influence of the human-animal bond on animal care, and its positive effect on the health and well-being of animals and those who care for them. 

The first of the two videos are available at zoetis.com/drmike

Image (C) Zoetis.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.