PUBLIC ASSOCIATIONS OF VETERINARY MEDICINE SPECIALISTS, VETERINARY ORGANIZATIONS, AND ASSOCIATIONS
Authors: Zhukovskyi M. O. , Nedosekov V. V. 
Published: December 2023

The article considers the structure, tasks, and authorities of public associations, specialized veterinary organizations and associations, analyzes their activity features and impact on the development of veterinary medicine and the qualification of veterinarians in both Ukraine and in other countries.

Public associations in the field of veterinary medicine and specialized veterinary organizations and associations take an active part in the formation of state policy in the field of veterinary medicine around the world; contribute to improving the qualifications of veterinary medicine specialists; finance the most relevant research in the field of veterinary medicine; form advisory and consultative bodies; carry out attestation, licensing and control over the activities of veterinary medicine doctors; take an active part in the public discussion of draft laws and regulatory acts on issues related to veterinary medicine; provide legal and economic protection of veterinary medicine specialists; finance professional training of talented youth; develop narrow-profile and progressive specializations among doctors of veterinary medicine; provide financial support and credit for young doctors; create pension funds and perform a number of other important tasks.

The following associations of veterinary specialists work in Ukraine: "Association of Veterinary Medicine Specialists of Ukraine", "Ukrainian Association of Doctors of Small Animal Veterinary Medicine", "All-Ukrainian Guild of Veterinarians", "All-Ukrainian Union of Veterinary Dentists", NGO "Union of Veterinary Business Owners in Ukraine", " Association of Veterinary Medicine Doctors" and some related ones.

It should be noted that public associations, organizations and associations of veterinary medicine specialists can be divided into two types: associations of specialists within the country and international associations for diseases of certain species of animals or specialization. The rights and powers of the former abroad are much wider than in our country, they have taken over a number of powers of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and a number of other state bodies and institutions.

In addition, several international veterinary associations are now actively assisting Ukraine through their partners by supporting veterinarians who need help in restoring clinic operations, pet owners in need of assistance, and animal shelters.

At present, there are associations in Ukraine with quite diverse directions and specializations. But there is a lack of a global organization that could unite all the veterinary medicine specialists and take on a range of permissive, regulatory functions from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection by following the example of the colleagues from other countries. Furthermore, certain financial problems and the absence of the official website are noticeable in some of the organizations. Some of them exist formally, without holding any events.