VETICARE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ANIMAL HEALTHCARE, SUPPORT WELLBEING OF VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS AND EASE COST OF LIVING PRESSURES

Every Australian household, no matter its income, should have access to veterinary care for their beloved animal family members. This belief is behind the Animal Justice Party's federal election promise to push for the introduction of a Veticare subsidy, making up to $1,000 per year available to all people with an income that is either equivalent to or below the Australian median income.

Veticare, similar to Medicare, is proposed to have a standard schedule of fees constructed in close consultation with the veterinary industry. By increasing affordable access to veterinary care for Australian households, the program will reduce rates of animal surrender that result from cost-of-living pressures. This will also lower animal euthanasia rates and the dreadful toll that this takes on veterinary professionals' mental health.

The Animal Justice Party (AJP) has listened to the pleas of the veterinary industry - a high stress profession that experiences proportionally high rates of burn-out, poor mental health and even suicide. The Veticare proposal commits to putting funding aside to support increases to industry capacity, helping to address the shortage of veterinarians, nurses and wildlife carers. This is to ensure that the industry can effectively deliver Veticare services, whilst reducing stress and improving the well-being of vets and wildlife carers. 

Through savings drawn from the implementation of the taxation policies that the Animal Justice Party is taking to the federal election, the Party has projected that the Australian treasury could allocate $2 billion per year for Veticare. The proposal also includes reimbursing vets for costs incurred in providing treatment for wildlife and un-homed animal care (i.e. animals in shelters), as well as fully funded desexing and microchipping programs to control companion animal populations.

Quote attributable to EMMA KERIN, NSW Senate candidate, AJP

"Veterinarians, wildlife carers and domestic animal rescues must be supported to ensure they can provide accessible and affordable care to animals."

Quote attributable to BRUCE POON, President, AJP

"All companion animals deserve medical attention if they need it, despite their families current financial state, especially as we go through the current cost of living crisis"

For further information on Veticare and the Animal Justice Party's Federal Election 2025 campaign platform please visit: https://www.animaljusticeparty.org/veticare

Contact:

Vanessa Cullen, Director of Media Relations can be reached for further information, or to organise AJP candidate media comments or interviews.

E: media@animaljusticeparty.org

Authorised by V Cullen, Animal Justice Party, 470 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004