April 26 — International Veterinarian's Day: history, traditions, congratulations

On the last Saturday of April, Russia and other countries celebrate the International Day of the Veterinarian, a professional holiday for specialists responsible for animal health. In 2025, it falls on April 26. Read about the history and traditions of the celebration in the Izvestia article.

International Veterinarian's Day in 2025 — the history of the holiday

Animals have played an important role in human life since ancient times. They were breadwinners, companions, and faithful helpers when traveling, hunting, and in the field. Today, many people perceive pets as family members and pay special attention to their health. Veterinarians help responsible owners with this.

In 2000, representatives of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) proposed the establishment of an International Veterinarian's Day to highlight the importance of the work of these specialists and raise awareness of their contribution to public health. After all, veterinarians not only treat pets, but also prevent dangerous epidemics among animals, monitor the quality of meat, dairy and other products, and identify diseases that can be transmitted from animal to human.

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Modern veterinary clinics are practically in no way inferior to human ones: they have equipment for ultrasound, X-rays, computed tomography, laboratories, surgery and intensive care units. And the latest treatment methods make it possible to fight a wide variety of diseases, from colds to cancer.

Russian specialists celebrate not only an international, but also a national professional holiday — the Day of the Veterinarian. It takes place annually on August 31.

Traditions of the International Veterinarian's Day

Every year, the WVA Council chooses a theme for the celebration of the International Veterinarian's Day. In 2025, it sounds like this: "A team is needed to protect animal health." Thus, the organizers emphasize the need for coordinated work by specialists from different fields to maintain high standards of care for the "lesser brothers".

Educational events dedicated to animal and human health are being held around the world in honor of the holiday. Seminars, round tables and forums are organized for specialists, during which they can share their experience with colleagues.

Lectures and workshops on pet care are organized for pet owners. The owners are taught how to choose the right food, treat four-legged pets from parasites and ticks, maintain their hygiene, etc. Some clinics and pet stores also offer free consultations for people who decide to get a pet for the first time.

Congratulations on the International Veterinarian's Day – 2025

Congratulations are received on the holiday by all specialists whose activities are related to animal health: doctors, employees of clinics, zoos, nurseries, shelters, livestock and poultry breeding enterprises, employees of laboratories and research centers, pharmacists, etc. Traditionally, the perpetrators of the celebration wish good health, success, perseverance and patience. Here are some examples:

"Congratulations on the International Veterinarian's Day! May your tailed, furry, feathered, and cold-blooded patients recover quickly, behave well at appointments, and leave the office with happy hosts. I wish you patience, attentiveness, professional victories and easy shifts!"

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"Happy International Veterinarian's Day! I wish you to easily find an approach even to difficult patients and let them go home healthy. May there be as many positive moments in your work as possible: grateful glances, wagging tails, purring, chirping and happy smiles!"

"Dear veterinarians, congratulations on your professional holiday! May kindness, responsibility, sensitivity and professionalism help you reach new career heights and save as many lives as possible. We wish you success, grateful patients and their owners, personal happiness and well-being!"

"Congratulations to veterinarians all over the world on their professional holiday! For us, the owners, you are real heroes who always come to the rescue at the most necessary moment. We wish you professional victories, fulfillment of your cherished desires, good mood, well-being, strength and patience in your work!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of World Pet Day.