Expertise: Veterinarian
Languages: English
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Web: www.sentient.org.au
Overview
Katherine’s passion for animal welfare began at a young age and led her to pursue a degree in Veterinary Science, through which she also completed an honours degree in native Australian animal health. At university she was firstly member and then President of the student-based animal welfare group ‘Veterinary Science for Animal Welfare’. Since graduation, Katherine has worked as a veterinarian in various mixed and small animal practices, including most recently, the RSPCA. She is currently working in animal welfare review and policy within Australia. She has also undertaken volunteer positions abroad, including rabies control programs and tuition of local veterinarians in India.
Katherine is President and co-founder of the veterinary-driven organisation, Sentient – The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics. Sentient is an independent association of veterinarians aiming to work towards improved animal welfare partly by forming strategic alliances with government and industry groups, as well as like-minded organisations. In order to foster the value of a multidisciplinary approach, its membership also includes people of other disciplines, including law, management and science. The organisation’s core objective is to provide a forum and proactive lobby group for veterinarians to collaborate and contribute towards the broader social justice movement. It has been our observation and professional experience that, despite having expertise in animal welfare as a profession, veterinarians have not had a significant role in promoting a greater focus on the humane treatment of animals. Our intention is to fill this niche. Sentient’s areas of focus primarily centre on the live animal export trade, companion animal welfare and intensive farming systems.
