Dr Franca Mazzone

Sentient Committe Member

Small Animal Veterinarian

 

I knew I wanted to be a vet when I was 8 years old. After dabbling in science and marine biology, my goal of becoming a vet was realised in 2008. Since then I have developed a soft spot for our feathered friends...I have accumulated a collection of aviaries which always seem to be full of rescue birds. These often consist of young birds on their “L’s" who have eagerly left the nest too early and realised too late they need feathers to fly....or ducks that play 'dare' crossing roads and encounter our species on their “L’s" .....or birds no longer wanted by their owners for various important reasons including 'going on holidays' and 'just because’.

 

I have always tried to help where I can with animals even before I became a vet but one of my most satisfying experiences was volunteering over my annual holiday 2 years ago in Fiji. Seeing how much Animals Fiji did even though at the time they didn’t have a permanent vet was truly inspiring. I participated in a desexing clinic, fixed a cat’s broken jaw and took care of a dog that was hit by a car, amongst other things. I look forward to more opportunities to learn and help within animal welfare. 

 

When I read my favourite quote: ”The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated " Mahatma Gandhi, I find it hard to comprehend that in 2014 in Australia caged eggs are still permitted to be sold ...and live animals are sent across the seas in deplorable conditions. Vets should be leading the way in animal welfare which is why I am proud to be a member of Sentient.

 

To me Sentient is an essential organisation that continues to strive to change farming dogma, improve our attitudes to pets and continue education on best practices to protect not only animals  but their environments. Animal welfare  should be the responsibility of everyone  - with continued education and persuasion to implement what often seems common sense - I believe Sentient will help lead the way.