From simulated desexing workshops to emergency hospital visits, young feline fans aged 9–17 can step inside the world of veterinary medicine this January—with PetSure scholarships closing 30 November.

• Six PetSure scholarships open until 30 November 2026 (Sydney & Online)
• Christmas gift vouchers available for young animal enthusiasts

How do veterinarians decode a blood test when a cat hides its symptoms? How are delicate surgical stitches placed? And what really goes on behind the scenes at a 24-hour emergency animal hospital?

For children and teens fascinated by cats, wildlife, and animal care, Future Vet Kids Camp offers an immersive, real-world introduction to veterinary science during the January 2027 school holidays.

Running across two five-day sessions at Waverley College in Sydney on 4–8 January and 11–15 January 2027, the programme welcomes young animal enthusiasts aged 9 to 17—whether they already dream of becoming a feline veterinarian or simply want to become more confident, knowledgeable pet guardians.

For families outside Sydney or interstate, a live Virtual Online Vet Camp will also run from 4–17 January 2027, allowing kids across Australia and overseas to tune into the classroom, ask questions, and take part in real time. Interest is already stretching well beyond NSW, with 2027 registrations arriving from Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, alongside international campers from the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Fiji.

Six PetSure Scholarships & Christmas Gift Vouchers Available

For parents, grandparents, and relatives hunting for a meaningful Christmas present for a cat- or animal-obsessed child, Future Vet Kids Camp offers Christmas gift vouchers for both the Sydney and online programmes.

In addition, leading Australian pet insurer PetSure is once again funding six full scholarships for young animal lovers—covering three face-to-face places in Sydney and three places in the Virtual Online Vet Camp. Scholarship applications close on 30 November 2026.

“We’re thrilled to be back for a twelfth year with Future Vet Kids Camp,” says PetSure Chief Executive Officer Alexandra Thomas. “Each summer this programme helps young people with a love of animals have a taste of veterinary life, and we’re proud to help six more kids, in Sydney and online, be part of it.

“Supporting the veterinary profession and the next generation coming into it matters to us, and programmes like this play a part in that. Australia’s next great vet or vet nurse could be in this group. Whether these campers go on to a career in animal care or simply grow up as caring, confident pet guardians, we can’t wait to see where their passion takes them.”

Inside the Hands-On Vet Workshops & Excursions

Young campers bonding with a feline guest during a hands-on animal care session at Future Vet Kids Camp.

To ensure activities match each camper’s age and curiosity, the programme is split into three streams: Wombats, Kookaburras, and Junior Vets.

Using realistic veterinary training models, campers get hands-on practice with essential clinical skills—including pet CPR, simulated blood draws, and suturing.

Teenagers in the Junior Vets group step into advanced, in-house surgical workshops led directly by Dr Audrey Shen, practising techniques on lifelike training models (including simulated desexing procedures) and working through real-style diagnostic cases using patient histories, blood panels, X-rays, and ultrasound scans.

Each age stream also heads out on tailored behind-the-scenes excursions:

• Wombats: Field trips to Calmsley Hill City Farm and Sydney Zoo.
• Kookaburras: A brand-new excursion to MediPaws, a specialist and 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in Leichhardt, to see emergency care and animal rehabilitation up close.
• Junior Vets: A dedicated surgery observation day at Hills Animal Hospital, paired with a conservation visit to Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

Alongside clinical skills, campers explore animal behaviour, rescue, native habitat protection, and the many career paths available across the animal care sector.

Led by Bondi Vet Twin Veterinarians

Bondi Vet twin veterinarians Drs Audrey and Alison Shen walk campers through a feline airway demonstration.

Created by twin sisters and Bondi Vet television veterinarians Drs Audrey and Alison Shen, Future Vet Kids Camp translates genuine clinical practice into an encouraging, curiosity-driven classroom. Following the programme's expansion to Singapore earlier this year, Dr Audrey will lead the January 2027 Sydney camp alongside experienced veterinary instructors and guest animal specialists.

“As vets and mums, Alison and I love seeing children’s curiosity grow when they have a chance to get involved,” says Dr Audrey.

“Working through a veterinary case, for example, encourages them to look for clues, ask questions and discuss what might be happening to an animal. We want them to understand what they’re doing and why. Trying something unfamiliar and working together also gives them a chance to learn that they don’t have to know the answer straight away.

“Whether or not they become vets, we want them to leave with greater confidence to explore their interests and a deeper understanding of how to care for animals. Whether or not the kids end up following the path to a career in veterinary medicine, just being around different animals and making like-minded new friends has such a positive impact on them.”

Dr Caitriona “Cat” O’Leary: From FVKC Camper to Veterinarian

Caitriona “Cat” O’Leary as a Year 11 camper at Future Vet Kids Camp in January 2014.

When Caitriona O’Leary, known as Cat, attended Future Vet Kids Camp in January 2014, she was a Year 11 student who already wanted to become a vet. Camp gave her a closer look at the profession and helped confirm it was the path she wanted to follow.

Behind-the-scenes visits to veterinary and animal care facilities introduced Cat to different career options, while practical workshops covered skills such as blood collection and suturing. She remembers suturing as her favourite lesson and enjoyed meeting other young people who shared her love of animals.

Cat went on to study Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney before moving to the University of Adelaide to pursue veterinary medicine, graduating in 2023. Today, she works as an emergency vet with Animal Emergency Service on the Gold Coast, caring for animals through the night.

What does your role at Animal Emergency Service involve, and what drew you to emergency veterinary care?

“I moved from Adelaide to the Gold Coast and started working at Animal Emergency Service straight out of university. I started as one of their interns, which is a six-month supported role, and then moved into a full-time vet position following this. I had done a placement there during my final year of university, as I decided that I wanted to work in emergency, and I thought that the internship programme they offered was one of the best out there.

“As a vet at Animal Emergency Service, I have a mix of ‘consulting’ and ‘hospital’ shifts. On our consulting shifts we are responsible for seeing whatever walks through the door that night. These consults can be anything from a cat or dog with an ear infection or insect bite, to animals that might need major surgery. On a hospital shift we are responsible for looking after all the animals that are already in hospital but not ready to go home yet.

“We work closely with Veterinary Specialist Services who work in the building during the day, so we get exposure to a wide range of illnesses. Our clinic is only open from 6:00 pm – 8:00 am weeknights and then all weekend, so I am mostly doing night shift, but it works well for my lifestyle!

“I was drawn to emergency due to the large range of cases that we see. You never know what is going to walk through the door, which can be a bit scary, but it makes it interesting and we have a really great supportive team that I have learnt a lot from.”

Looking back, what did you gain from the camp’s hands-on experiences, and what would you say to a young animal lover thinking about attending?

Dr Caitriona “Cat” O’Leary today, working as an emergency vet on the Gold Coast.

“I think the camp exposed me to the different areas that you may be able to go into as a vet and taught me some handy skills, such as suturing. I also think it is great to speak to vets in person about both the positives and negatives of their job, which can be really helpful when deciding if you want to be a vet and, if so, what area you would want to go into.

“I would strongly recommend any animal lover to attend. I think it is super cool to be able to see behind the scenes of what it is like working with animals and it is a lot of fun to meet other people that share similar interests. You will learn a lot and also potentially make some really good friends!”

January 2027 Dates, Costs & How to Book

• Sydney Face-to-Face Camp: 4–8 January & 11–15 January 2027
• Location: Waverley College, Waverley NSW
• Daily Hours: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
• Cost: $750
• Virtual Online Vet Camp: 4–17 January 2027 | Cost: $295

Bookings, Christmas gift vouchers, and PetSure scholarship applications (closing 30 November 2026) are open now via www.futurevetkidscamp.com or by phoning 0435 267 252. You can also view the full programme schedule online.

Feline Research Pioneer and Community Vet Honoured at 2026 NSW Centenary Awards

For cat owners and shelter advocates, veterinary medicine is about far more than routine check-ups—it is about protecting vulnerable felines and honouring the quiet, deeply grounding bond between cats and the people who love them.

That commitment took centre stage at the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW’s Annual General Meeting in Parramatta on Monday, 9 November, where four standout practitioners received the 2026 Centenary Awards. Marking 100 years since formal veterinary registration began under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1923, the awards recognise leaders advancing One Health, One Welfare, and clinical excellence across the state.

“Being a veterinarian is not simply about what you know clinically. It is also about what you contribute,” said Board President Dr Magdoline Awad. “It is about sharing knowledge, mentoring others, improving animal health and welfare, and leaving the profession and the community a little stronger than you found it.”

While this year's recipients span aquatic biosecurity, equine dentistry, and chronic joint pain, One Welfare Award winner Dr Mark Westman has made a particularly profound impact on the lives of Australian cats—both in the research laboratory and on the streets.

Spotlight: Dr Mark Westman – Saving Shelter Cats & Supporting Vulnerable Owners

Dr Mark Westman, a veterinary microbiologist at the NSW State Veterinary Laboratory and co-founder of the national charity Pets in the Park, was awarded the Centenary One Welfare Award for his landmark feline viral disease research, veterinary education, and grassroots community work.

Transforming FIV and FeLV Outcomes for Australian Cats

A positive point-of-care test for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) can lead to euthanasia rather than rehoming for rescue and shelter cats in Australia.

Westman has dedicated much of his scientific career to changing that reality. Having authored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers on feline retroviruses, he has chaired the Australian Feline Retrovirus Advisory Panel, where he championed confirmatory testing to help prevent shelter cats from being unnecessarily euthanased following incorrect positive test results.

Building on that progress, he is currently supporting clinical trials investigating the use of human HIV antiviral medications to treat affected cats—offering new hope for felines living with viral disease.

From Rural Dreams to Street-Level Welfare

Westman’s path into shelter medicine and community welfare began far from a pathology lab. Inspired by James Herriot and childhood holidays on his grandparents’ Wagga Wagga dairy farm, he initially planned to become a rural vet. However, a university talk at the University of Sydney about volunteering with street animals in Bali shifted his trajectory. After graduating in 2003, he spent five formative years with the RSPCA in Sydney, immersing himself in shelter animal welfare.

The spark for Pets in the Park came when a high school friend running a Parramatta soup kitchen mentioned that visitors seeking food relief were also struggling to afford basic care for their companion animals. Westman began heading to the park with vaccines, parasite treatments, and veterinary advice. Alongside co-founders Dr Leah Skelsey, Linda Warlond, and Vicky Cawsey, that grassroots effort grew into a nationwide charity providing free veterinary care to cats and dogs belonging to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Protecting the Human–Animal Bond

“Pets in the Park starts as free vet care, but it gives us unique access into people’s lives to help in other ways,” Westman explains.

He recalls one long-term client—an Iranian refugee who attended clinics for 15 years with his two beloved small terrier crosses. Over the years, the volunteer network rallied well beyond veterinary medicine: a volunteer lawyer connected him with an immigration lawyer to assist with his visa application, and colleagues helped him secure accommodation in a granny flat at a veterinary clinic, where he is now considering casual work.

For Westman, challenging stigma around disadvantaged pet owners remains central to his mission.

“People can be quick to judge and assume that people experiencing homelessness have pets for self-serving reasons or that the animals aren’t well cared for,” he notes. “After almost 15 years with Pets in the Park, I can tell you that our clients absolutely love and adore their animals. They often put their pets’ needs ahead of their own.”

Next on Westman’s agenda is Community Vets—a proposed student-led veterinary hospital model designed to pair hands-on clinical training for vet students with free or low-cost care for disadvantaged pet owners.

“Do what you can with what you have so you can help make your own little sphere of the world a better place,” Westman says. “Small actions can grow into something much bigger.”

Also Honoured at the 2026 Centenary Awards

Left to right: Dr Oliver Liyou (Professional Practice Award), Dr Mark Westman (One Welfare Award), and Dr James Fensham (Early Career Award) at the AGM in Parramatta. Recipient A/Prof Sanaa Zaki (One Health Award) was unable to attend.

Alongside Westman, three other NSW veterinarians were recognised for leadership across clinical practice, research, and biosecurity:

• Associate Professor Sanaa Zaki – One Health Award: Leading the University of Sydney’s One Health Musculoskeletal Research Group, A/Prof Zaki bridges human and animal medicine to tackle osteoarthritis and chronic pain—research with major benefits for senior cats and dogs living with mobility issues. She also develops resilience and self-care curricula for veterinary graduates.
• Dr Oliver Liyou – Professional Practice Award: Based in Northern NSW, Dr Liyou is a pioneer in equine dentistry education through Equine Veterinary & Dental Services (EVDS), opened his South Grafton clinic to house displaced horses during the 2022 floods, and advocates strongly for vet mental health.
• Dr James Fensham – Early Career Award (Inaugural Recipient): Recognised within his first ten years of graduation for his work in commercial aquaculture, focusing on preventive biosecurity, food safety, and responsible antibiotic stewardship.

With more than 5,100 registered veterinarians across NSW, the 2026 Centenary Awards underscore how modern veterinary leadership—from advancing life-saving FIV research to caring for animals on the streets—extends well beyond the consulting room.

For more information, visit the 2026 Centenary Awards.

Hero image: Dr Mark Westman swabbing Mr Woo during feline retrovirus research. Photo: Dr Anne Quain.

Victoria’s Shelter Cats Urgent Christmas Appeal

The $30-a-Day Reality: Why Hundreds of Rescues Need Our Help This Festive Season

As November rolls in and warmer weather settles across the state, animal welfare shelters throughout Victoria are quietly preparing for their most demanding time of the year.

The onset of "kitten season" brings a dramatic spike in feline births, stray arrivals, and surrenders, prompting The Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) to launch its 2026 Christmas Appeal. The goal is urgent and clear: to secure the funding needed for essential food, warm beds, and life-saving veterinary care for hundreds of vulnerable cats awaiting a second chance.

The Rising Cost of Care

Specialised veterinary treatment and recovery care represent one of the shelter’s most vital operational costs.

Behind the gentle purrs of an adoption room lies a significant operational reality. On average, a rescue cat spends 58 days in shelter care before finding a forever home.

Providing a safe sanctuary, daily nutrition, and standard veterinary checks costs roughly $30 per day, per feline—totalling an average investment of $1,740 for each cat that walks through CPSV’s doors.

During the three months leading up to Christmas last year alone, 420 stray and surrendered cats entered the shelter, and intake figures are projected to climb even higher this season. Across 2025, CPSV poured more than $2.2 million into animal care, enabling the team to reunite or rehome 1,288 cats and kittens.

CPSV Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel Bitzilis emphasizes that community generosity directly underpins these rescue operations.

“Every single contribution translates into immediate, tangible relief for animals that have nowhere else to go,” says Bitzilis. “Behind every cat that finds a family is a network of donors who funded their veterinary recovery, daily nutrition, and safe shelter. These donations keep our doors open to vulnerable felines when they need us most.”

Chops’ Long Road to Recovery

After extensive medical treatment and a year of patience, safe shelter gives rescues like Chops a true second chance.

While healthy young kittens often find homes in days, older cats and injured strays frequently arrive with complex medical and behavioural challenges that require months of patient rehabilitation.

Nobody embodies that reality more than Chops, a sweet-natured tuxedo cat who arrived at CPSV as an unowned stray in dire condition.

• The Condition: Chops arrived suffering from a severely matted coat, a debilitating bout of cat flu, and severe dental disease that made eating excruciatingly painful.
• The Treatment: His recovery required more than $3,000 in veterinary care, including full body grooming, dental extractions, medical treatment for flu, microchipping, and desexing.
• The Rehabilitation: Beyond his physical wounds, Chops was deeply frightened of humans. Over nearly 12 months, dedicated shelter attendants have worked with him daily, helping him shed his fear and reveal his gentle, affectionate personality.

Today, after almost a full year in shelter care, Chops is physically thriving, emotionally restored, and quietly waiting for the patient adopter who will offer him a permanent home.

“Chops embodies the exact reason our Christmas Appeal exists,” Bitzilis explains. “While younger kittens often find homes in days, older rescues and injured strays require significant medical intervention and gentle rehabilitation to rebuild their confidence. We will always stand by cats like Chops, and our donors make that unconditional care a reality.”

How You Can Help

Whether covering a single day of food and shelter ($30) or contributing toward major surgical interventions, every tax-deductible donation ensures that no vulnerable cat is turned away as the busy holiday period approaches.

• Donate to the Appeal: Visit catprotection.com.au/christmas-wish to support a cat’s recovery journey.
• Adopt or Foster: If you have room in your heart and home for a cat like Chops, explore adoption opportunities directly through the shelter.
• Spread the Word: Share the campaign with fellow animal lovers across social media to give shelter residents the visibility they deserve.