RCVS expands support for refugee vets
"We want to thank each membership organisation who has offered free membership" - Mandisa Greene, RCVS senior vice-president.
The RCVS has expanded its support package for veterinary professions who have refugee status, now including access to training resources such as CPD opportunities, and free membership to several veterinary associations.
In partnership with The Refugee Council, in 2020 the RCVS created a scheme to provide financial support for UK-based vets with refugee status, to enable them to take the RCVS Statutory Examination for Membership for free.
Recognising that more could be done to support veterinary professionals with refugee status, the RCVS has collaborated with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), the British Veterinary Association (BVA), British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) and Veterinary Medicines VMG to provide free membership to veterinary professionals with refugee status.
RCVS senior vice-president Mandisa Greene commented: “We’re really pleased to be able to provide this package of support for veterinary surgeons with refugee status.
“Although we put in place financial support for the Statutory Examination for Membership last year, we felt there was much more that we wanted to and could offer.
“It’s particularly heart-warming to have put this package of support together in partnership with the wider veterinary community, and we want to thank each membership organisation who has offered free membership.
“We know that making connections with other veterinary professionals can be crucial for establishing a support network and finding a job, so having the opportunity to join a range of membership organisations for free is a really important part of this package.
“We hope that the ‘welcome pack’ we’ve put together will help veterinarians who have resettled in the UK to pass their exams, find a job they enjoy and allow them to continue to contribute to animal health and welfare in their new home.”
The association memberships provide a variety of benefits, including training resources, mentoring and access to current research and sector news, which will help veterinary professionals learn about the profession in the UK, and prepare for exams.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
