BVSc - Career opportunities

Veterinary Science offers rewarding and wide-ranging employment opportunities. The majority of veterinarians in the country are gainfully employed in private practice, either in their own practice, in partnership, as an assistant or as a locum. These veterinarians provide services to pet owners (dogs, cats, exotic animals and birds), farmers (cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and game), breeders (dogs, cats, horses, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats), animal welfare organisations, game reserves, zoos, etc. These services include clinical services, disease prevention strategies, advice and a whole range of consultative services on nutrition, management, production, reproduction, biotechnology, etc. Some are species specific (dogs, cats and small pets; horses) whereas others offer services across species barriers.

A significant number of veterinarians are employed as state veterinarians in government service where they are primarily involved in the diagnosis, control, prevention and eradication of so-called notifiable diseases. They are required to perform various legal tasks in relation to their knowledge of animals and animal diseases and may in some instances, also provide various clinical services. 
Veterinarians also play a significant role in the prevention of the transmission of animal disease to man. They are involved in, and responsible for, the maintenance of meat and milk hygiene in abattoirs and milk processing plants over and above their roles in the maintenance and improvement of animal health on the farm.

Animal welfare is a very important component of veterinary services not only in the provision of expert services to welfare organisations but also in the maintenance of animal health through promotion of appropriate husbandry practices, nutrition practices, disease prevention strategies and sound production systems.