Animal Medicines Australia

07/11/2025

Today is International Human-Animal Bond Day.

This is a day to celebrate the special bond we share with animals - a connection that brings joy, relaxation, companionship and enriches our lives in countless ways.

Animal Medicines Australia’s latest Pets in Australia report shows 73% of Australian households now have one or more pets - that’s around 31.6 million animals. 86% of pet owners say their pet has a positive impact on their physical and mental wellbeing😺😊.

Animal Medicines Australia members play a vital role in supporting this bond by providing the products that keep our animals healthy and happy every day.

To ensure every Australian has the opportunity to embrace and access the benefits from pet ownership, we’re calling for a nationally consistent companion animal policy - one that supports our pets, their owners, and the communities they live in.

Find out more 👇

🔍 Find out more about how Australia feels about their pets in AMA’s latest Pets in Australia report: Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people 2025:
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-3/

📄 AMA’s Companion Animal Policy: Policy Priorities:
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/policy-priorities/

15/10/2025

Today is , a day that provides a chance to reflect on the importance of healthy animals to food security, sustainability, and nutrition for a global population.

Healthy animals are necessary for global food production, with livestock supporting the livelihoods of at least 1.3 billion people worldwide¹. Animal health services and products help farmers protect the health and welfare of their animals. Vaccines, parasiticides, antimicrobials, pain relief and other animal health products maintain animal health and welfare, and ensure the food we eat is safe and nutritious.

As we face the dual challenge of feeding a growing population and protecting our planet’s resources, animal health must be recognised as a strategic investment, and one that is essential to responsible and sustainable livestock industries.

A recently released report conducted by HealthforAnimals and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) outlines how innovations in animal health are a cornerstone of sustainable food production. Innovations in vaccines, parasite control, diagnostics, biosecurity, feed, and breeding can reduce emissions, strengthen food security, and improve the livelihoods of our farmers.

📄Download the report below👇:
https://shorturl.at/WeSEl

Home Resources Article The Value of Animal Health Innovations for Sustainable Livestock Transformation This joint FAO–HealthforAnimals publication builds on the FAO report “Pathways to Lower Emissions: A global assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options from livestock agri...

03/10/2025

100 years of World Animal Day!

Today we recognise the essential role animals play in our lives, communities and industries. From pets in our homes to production animals on farms, their health and welfare are at the heart of everything we - and our members - do.

At Animal Medicines Australia, we’re committed to advancing science, innovation and the responsible use of animal medicines to ensure a healthier future for animals, people and our environment.

26/09/2025

In the face of turbulent times and a cost-of-living crisis, pets have remained a reliable source of love and happiness in the lives of Australians, with 86% of owners saying their pets have positively impacted their lives.

However, in the past year, 12% of pet owners required financial assistance to pay for their pet's veterinary care.

Animal Medicines Australia is calling for a nationally consistent approach to companion animal policy as a key government priority.

Currently, companion animal policy is managed across a fragmented landscape of portfolios, agencies, and jurisdictions. Depending on the issue, responsibility may rest with departments of agriculture, primary industries, environment, health, consumer affairs, or even planning and infrastructure. This disjointed approach leads to inconsistent regulations and outcomes across the country.

These inconsistencies create avoidable challenges for pet owners, breeders, veterinarians, and companion animal industries – impacting animal welfare, responsible ownership, and even access to pets for Australians.

Download the latest Pets in Australia report today.
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-3/

25/09/2025

🔉And the survey says...

Animal Medicines Australia’s Executive Director Ben Stapley sits down with Dr Rob Zammit on The Doggy Pod - with Dr Rob Zammit & Stephen Peters to discuss the latest Pets in Australia report. Did you know that Australian’s are spending over $21 billion annually on their pets, with food accounting for almost half the spend, and that almost three quarters of Australian households now have a pet. Find out more about Australia’s pets and people

Listen to the discussion 🔉
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-3/

Home Resources Article Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people This report continues our triennial series of reports investigating the pet ownership experiences of Australians. Thanks to our report partners, the Australian Veterinary Association, the Pet Food Industry Association of....

18/09/2025

Animal Medicines Australia’s latest Pets in Australia report shows pet ownership continues to rise💹, with 73% of households now owning a pet, and an estimated pet population of 31.6 million. This is up from 28.7 million pets since the last report. 🐶Dogs remain the most popular pet, owned by 49% of Australian households.

Find out more about Australia's pets in our latest report. 😺

Thank you to our report partners, the Australian Veterinary Association , the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia and the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia for their ongoing support in producing this report series. Thanks also to the team at SEC Newgate Australia for their outstanding work in preparing this report.

🐶📄 Download the latest Pets in Australia report today.
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-3

18/09/2025

The AVA has today launched Australia’s first nationally endorsed Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines for Horses - a landmark step in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and supporting evidence-based prescribing across the veterinary sector.

Developed in partnership with Animal Medicines Australia, with additional funding from AgriFutures Australia, the guidelines provide veterinarians with practical, best-practice recommendations to ensure antimicrobial use in horses is responsible, effective, and aligned with global efforts to reduce drug-resistant infections.

An enormous thank you to the 19 co-authors who contributed to this comprehensive body of work, with many from Equine Veterinarians Australia: Associate Professor Laura Hardefeldt, Dr Leanne Begg, Professor Jacqueline Norris, Professor Glenn Browning, Dr Stephen Page, Dr Charlie El-Hage, Professor James Gilkerson, Dr Allison Stewart, Dr Gary Muscatello, Prof Denis Verwilghen, Dr Gaby van Galen, Dr Jenni Bauquier, Dr Rosemary Cuming, Dr Benjamin Reynolds, Dr Cameron J G Whittaker, Dr Edwina Wilkes, Dr Jennifer Clulow, Dr Chelsie A. Burden, Dr Kellie Thomas.

The AVA has a suite of AMR resources available for veterinarians and livestock owners: https://bit.ly/4nllQMv

Media release: https://bit.ly/3Ig1XHN

| Equine Veterinarians Australia

14/08/2025

Tick Awareness for Your Pet 🛡🐶

As we look forward to spring, it’s a good time to remind pet owners of the serious threat ticks pose to pets across Australia - particularly the deadly paralysis tick.

With tick season beginning in spring, outdoor adventures can quickly turn dangerous for our pets. These tiny arachnids wait in vegetation for a host to pass, making grassy parks, bushland and coastal trails high-risk zones. But the danger isn’t limited to warmer months any longer. With changes in weather and populations shifting, tick activity can occur year-round, with some regions seeing more activity during cooler months.

Recent patterns of heat and rainfall, particularly along the east coast, have seen a surge in tick populations. Areas once considered low risk are now reporting cases, and the traditional paralysis tick continues to shift inland. Pet owners must remain alert and seek up-to-date local veterinary advice to understand evolving risks.

Tick bites aren’t just a nuisance; they can be life threatening. The paralysis tick releases neurotoxins that may cause hind limb weakness, respiratory failure, and death. Other species, like the brown dog tick, spread disease such as , and cause serious discomfort through repeated biting.

Early detection and prevention are critical. Regular tick checks - especially around the head, neck, ears, and feet should be part of your routine. Veterinarians are the best source of guidance for safe, effective parasite control, so speak with your vet about the best tick prevention plan for your pet, tailored to your location and pet’s lifestyle.

By staying informed and vigilant, we can protect the health and wellbeing of our beloved pets all year round.

🔎For more information on parasite control for your pet, visit our page: https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/parasite-control-in-pets-frequently-asked-questions/

📄Download our Fact Sheet: Tick Awareness and Prevention
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/fact-sheet-tick-awareness-and-prevention-2/

12/08/2025

🔬 📅 National Science Week: Celebrating Careers in Animal Health

It's National Science Week and we’re celebrating the vital role science plays in keeping Australia’s animals, people, and environment healthy.

In the animal health industry, science careers go far beyond the lab or the clinic. Science graduates contribute in regulatory affairs, policy development, innovation management, product stewardship, biosecurity planning, quality assurance, and technical advisory roles — all critical to protecting Australian animals, people, and our shared environment.

From rigorous R&D and science-based regulation to cutting-edge vaccines and treatments, our sector is driven by people using science to solve real-world challenges.

To all the scientists, regulators, policy makers, veterinarians, and innovators — thank you for helping Australia remain a global leader in animal health. 🐾

07/08/2025

Happy International Cat Day! 😺🐾

Today we celebrate the 5.3 million cats living in Australian homes, and the animal medicines that help them live longer, healthier lives.

one-third of Australian households have a cat*. To ensure our cherished pets live their best lives, access to safe, effective, and innovative animal medicines is essential. From parasite protection and vaccinations to chronic condition management, animal medicines are key to keeping cats comfortable, active, and thriving.

These tools empower veterinarians and pet owners to work together in preventing disease, managing illness, and supporting lifelong wellbeing.

🧬 Safe, effective, and science-backed animal medicines allow vets and pet owners to:
✔ Prevent disease
✔ Manage pain
✔ Improve quality of life

This International Cat Day let’s celebrate the special bond we share with our feline companions - and the science that helps protect it.

*AMA’s Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people.
https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/resources/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people/

31/07/2025

🎉🐴 Happy Horse’s Birthday! 🐴🎉

On August 1, we celebrate every horse across Australia — from racehorses and sport horses to paddock companions, riding horses and stock horses.

Thanks to innovation in veterinary medicine and the innovative work of the animal health sector, our horses live healthier, longer, and more productive lives. From vaccines and pain relief to parasite control and disease prevention, modern treatments help keep the equine industry strong and our horses thriving.

Here's to healthier hooves and happy trails this horse’s birthday! 🐎