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
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
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
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?
“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.
