Do vets have a role in ethical decision making, or is it all just about animal welfare?

Ethical decision making in veterinary practice goes far beyond animal welfare alone. This session will explore the wider moral landscape vets navigate every day, balancing the interests of animals, owners, society, the environment and professional integrity. The panel will debate where ethical responsibility sits, how it differs from welfare assessment and what practical frameworks can help vets make defensible, compassionate decisions in real world cases.

• Understand the terms 'animal welfare' and 'animal ethics' and how these are different and how they interact.
• Appreciate how the provision of contextualised care may still present moral challenges.
• Understand the practical frameworks that can help navigate ethical challenges in veterinary practice.