Tess with Skin Disease Secondary to Heartworm

Tess after 1 week	Tess after 6 weeks

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Benji's Dog Attack

Benji on arrival	Benji after surgery

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Sasha's Haematoma Weighing 5 Kg

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All Creatures Great And Small

"Cocko" the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

After dog attack	2 weeks later

Australian veterinarians donate $17 million a year in free treatment for sick - or injured - native animals and strays, according to an industry survey released today.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) said its study had found that the average practice 'spent' an estimated $8500 a year in time and treatment contributed to the welfare of such animals.

The survey - the first of its kind - showed that the average practice handled 153 sick or injured native animals (at an average cost of $41 each) and 38 strays ($59), each year.

The AVA Vice-President, Dr Roger Clarke, said the study had been undertaken by the Association's National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee as a means of quantifying the profession's direct contribution to caring for animals without identifiable owners.

"When the survey results are spread across the 2000 practices in Australia it quickly becomes apparent that veterinarians are donating the equivalent of $17 million a year to this great cause," he said.

"This level of sacrifice has been taking place for many years, but until now it went largely unrecognised because nobody had previously quantified the extent of the contribution the profession was making.

"Our members willingly undertake this work, usually referred to us by the general public or various community services which find sick or injured animals, because of their commitment to the care and welfare of animals. "Unfortunately, in many cases that work produces very sad results. This happens when the animal fails to recover from its illness or injuries - or where an animal recovers but then, for various reasons, cannot be returned to the wild or to an owner."

Dr Clarke said the AVA intended to make the animal welfare survey an annual event among its members to help them - and the community - assess the value of this work.

The increasing use of computers in veterinary practices meant the process of keeping appropriate animal welfare records was now faster and simpler than ever before, he said.