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Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)

Rules

Rules relating to the Practising of Veterinary Professions: Amendment

Part II : Conduct of persons practising veterinary professions

4. General principles

 

 

(1) A veterinary professional shall base his/her personal and professional conduct thereon that—
(a) he/she is a member of a learned and honourable profession and is required to act at all times in such a manner as will maintain and promote the prestige, honour, dignity and interests of the profession and of the persons by whom it is practised;
(b) he/she is morally obliged to serve the public to the best of his/her ability and in the light of the latest scientific knowledge;
(c) he/she will not seek any personal advantage at the expense of any colleague in the profession;
(d) he/she will not permit himself/herself to be exploited in a manner which may be detrimental to an animal, his/her client, the public or the profession; and
(e) he/she shall, as far as it is within his/her professional ability—
(i) not refuse treatment to an animal; and
(ii) not abandon the treatment of an animal under his/her professional care unless he/she is satisfied that he/she has done his/her utmost to safeguard the welfare of the animal concerned.

 

(2) A veterinary professional shall keep himself/herself informed of the laws which affect him/her in the practising of his/her profession and shall, as far as it lies in his/her power, assist in the application of those laws.

 

(3) All persons practising veterinary professions are working for the same good cause, irrespective whether they are in private practise or in the service of an employer, and they shall therefore co-operate with each other and the authorities concerned to promote that cause.

[Subrule (3) substituted by section 4 of Notice 868 of 2009]

 

(4) A person who practises a veterinary profession shall refrain from expressing any criticism in public through which the reputation, status or practise of a colleague in the profession is or could be undermined or injured, or through which a reflection is or could be cast on the probity, skill, methods or conduct of such colleague.

 

(5) The place at or from which a person practises a veterinary profession shall comply with the applicable minimum standards for a consulting room, or an animal hospital, as the case may be, which are specified in these Rules, and be registered with Council.