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World Veterinary Day: the last Saturday of April

Header picture for the guide: World Veterinary Day: the last Saturday of April

World Veterinary Day is marked every year on the last Saturday of April. The World Veterinary Association uses it to recognise the work of vets for animal health, public health and food safety.

This year

YearDateTheme
2026Saturday, 25 AprilVeterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health
2027Saturday, 24 AprilNot announced yet

What India does on the day

Veterinary universities and colleges hold seminars, student competitions, and free anti-rabies vaccination and deworming camps. In 2026, for example, ICAR-IVRI Mukteswar held a three-day programme (25 to 27 April) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, ran a vaccination and deworming camp.

What you can do

  • Take your animal for its yearly check-up and rabies vaccine.
  • Find a government veterinary hospital near you in the Directory.

Questions and answers

Related on Animal Writes

Questions about World Veterinary Day

Animal welfare FAQ

On the last Saturday of April every year. In 2027 that is 24 April.

“Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health”.

Sources

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  • Government steps on vet services, dairy and stray dogs

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    Government steps on vet services, dairy and stray dogs

    The Government of India announced on 22 Jul 2026 a set of measures aimed at bolstering veterinary services, widening the reach of dairy cooperatives, and improving the management of stray dogs across the country. The plan includes upgrading veterinary infrastructure, expanding cooperative networks for milk producers, and introducing new programs for stray-dog control and welfare. These ongoing and planned efforts seek to strengthen animal healthcare, accelerate dairy development, and enhance humane stray-dog management nationwide.

  • Government steps for dairy, livestock and vet services

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    Government steps for dairy, livestock and vet services

    The Indian government announced a programme to enhance the dairy and livestock sector. The initiative involves constructing additional infrastructure, introducing digital reforms, and expanding veterinary services. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed the Lok Sabha about these measures, clarifying that there is currently no proposal to introduce a Minimum Support Price for milk. Officials reported that 113 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund projects worth ₹4,700.13 crore have been approved in Maharashtra, with an interest subvention of ₹123.46 crore released.

  • Veterinary vaccine testing lab expanded at Baghpat

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    Veterinary vaccine testing lab expanded at Baghpat

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notification amending the Drugs Rules, 1945, to expand veterinary vaccine testing functions at the Central Drugs Laboratory. Published under Gazette Notification G.S.R. 65(E) on the 28 Jan 2026, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the update applies to the Central Drugs Laboratory at the Chaudhary Charan Singh–National Institute of Animal Health located in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The rule expands the institute's testing capacity from only two veterinary vaccines to 42 veterinary vaccines, covering biologicals used for dogs, horses, poultry and livestock. In practice, this enhancement helps streamline regulatory clearance, reduce testing timelines for manufacturers, and ensure quality-assured vaccines reach the market for animal welfare.

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