Proactive & Collaborative Framework for the Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC) - Proposal
- The CJ Memorial Trust
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
4 Nov 2025
Dr. Indresh
President
Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC) Pashupalana Campus ,
Hebbal Bangalore
Email: drindreshpsc@gmail.com
Dear Dr. Indresh:
Subject: Proposal for a Proactive and Collaborative Framework for the Karnataka Veterinary Council: Transitioning from Reactive Regulation to Proactive Leadership in Veterinary Practice and Animal Welfare
It was a distinct pleasure to meet with you, the Honourable Commissioner of AHVS, the Director of AHVS, senior faculty, and the surgeons & leaders at the Hebbal Veterinary Hospital, at Commissioners Office on 30th Oct 25. The discussions were insightful and underscored a shared commitment to advancing veterinary science and animal welfare in Karnataka. We have also had a look at the Code of Conduct on the KVC website which requires adherence to all the current laws in force. You would also recall a letter I had written to you on World Vet Day 2024
The meeting reinforced a critical opportunity for the Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC) to evolve its role from a concerned, but primarily reactive body, responding to complaints, to a dynamic, proactive institution that empowers veterinarians, upholds the law, and fosters a more compassionate ecosystem for animal welfare. This letter outlines a proposed pathway for this transformative journey.
1. Empowering the Veterinarian: From Adversary to Advocate
The vast majority of registered veterinarians in Karnataka are upstanding, lawful, and compassionate professionals. It is unjust and counterproductive for this majority to be tarred with the same brush as a small minority operating unethically. The KVC, as their representative council, is uniquely positioned to be their strongest advocate.
· Proactive Legal & Ethical Support: Instead of veterinarians learning about laws through complaints, the KVC can institute mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and the Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017 as well as the ABC Rules 2023. This pre-emptive education will arm vets with knowledge, reducing inadvertent non-compliance.
· Information Hub: The KVC can establish itself as a central resource for legal and ethical guidelines, creating easily accessible digital repositories, helplines, and periodic circulars on evolving jurisprudence in animal law. We can co-create a set of attractive , legally required posters on breeding, pet shops and cruelty that should be mandatorily displayed in the clinic/hospital. Examples are enclosed.
2. Strengthening Ethical Enforcement: Introducing Meaningful Consequences
A significant challenge identified is the perceived lack of consequential disciplinary action. While the KVC's primary role is advisory, exploring mechanisms to give its recommendations more weight is crucial.
· Strengthened Disciplinary Framework: We urge the KVC to review its bylaws in consultation with the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) to understand the scope for implementing stricter penalties, including temporary suspension or disbarment for gross and repeated ethical breaches, as permitted under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984.
· Transparent Disciplinary Process: Publicizing (while respecting privacy) actions taken against non-compliant members would serve as a powerful deterrent and build public trust in the Council's authority.
3. Fostering Collaboration: Bridging the Gap with Rescuers and Welfare NGOs
Have the KVC Handbook publicly available/accessible. This will help both patient and vets. The veterinary ecosystem extends beyond the traditional vet-pet parent dyad to include a large and active network of animal rescuers and welfare organisations. Often, misunderstandings and a lack of empathy create friction.
· Walking a Mile in Each Other's Shoes: The KVC, in collaboration with NGOs, can organise structured interaction forums and workshops. These would allow veterinarians to understand the challenges faced by rescuers (financial constraints, emotional burnout, triage dilemmas) and for rescuers to appreciate the clinical, ethical, and business pressures on veterinarians.
· Joint Awareness Campaigns: Collaborative public awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership, the importance of ABC, and the perils of illegal breeding can be far more impactful. The KVC's authority combined with NGOs' grassroots reach can create a powerful force for change.
· Advocating stronger Govt veterinary framework: This can help reduce dependence on private vets and create a more economical and accessible framework for rescuers etc thereby reducing burden on both private clinics and embattled rescuers.
4. Learning from Best Practices: A National and Global Perspective
To build a robust framework, we can look to successful models:
· Veterinary Council of India (VCI) & Other State Councils: We recommend the KVC study the operational frameworks of proactive state councils (e.g., Tamil Nadu Veterinary Council, Maharashtra Veterinary Council) regarding their CPD programs, ethical enforcement mechanisms, and public engagement strategies.
· Global Insights: Internationally, veterinary councils like the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS, UK) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA, USA) have robust, proactive codes of conduct. They heavily invest in veterinarian well-being, ethics resources, and public education. Their model of being a supportive professional body that also holds its members to a high standard is worth emulating.
Conclusion and Proposed Next Steps
We envision a future where the KVC is the cornerstone of a collaborative, robust, and compassionate framework for animal welfare in Karnataka. By supporting its members proactively, enforcing ethics meaningfully, and partnering with all stakeholders, the Council will not only elevate the profession but also profoundly serve society at large.
We, the undersigned NGOs and stakeholders, are happy to work closely with the KVC to:
1. Co-design and participate in refresher courses on key animal welfare laws.
2. Facilitate stakeholder dialogues between veterinarians, rescuers, and welfare workers.
3. Assist in researching and drafting white papers on best practices from other councils.
We request a follow-up meeting with you to discuss these ideas in greater detail and to form a small working group to chart a concrete action plan. We would all benefit.
Thank you for your time and leadership. We look forward to your positive response and to building a better future for animals and those who care for them in Karnataka.
Sincerely,
Priya Chetty-Rajagopal
(Along with many of Animal Welfare Groups and individual rescuers/caretakers)
Notes:
Summary of The Karnataka Veterinary Practitioners (Code of Conduct) Regulations, 1992
This document is a state-level regulation under the Karnataka Veterinary Practitioners Act, 1983. It is legally binding for all registered veterinary practitioners in the state of Karnataka, India. Its primary goal is to establish a clear standard of professional ethics and etiquette.
Key Themes and Provisions:
Professional Duties and Responsibilities:
Primary Duty to Animal and Owner: The veterinarian's primary duty is to the animal under their care and its owner. They must use their skills to alleviate animal suffering.
Pro Bono Service: Practitioners are expected to provide free veterinary service for at least two weeks in a year, either continuously or in intervals.
Duty to the Profession: Practitioners must uphold the dignity and honor of the profession and should not voluntarily associate with anyone who fails to meet professional standards.
Continuous Learning: They are obligated to continuously update their professional knowledge.
Relations with Clients and the Public:
Confidentiality: Veterinarians must hold all information about a client and their animals in strict confidence, unless required by law to disclose it.
Informed Consent: No major surgical procedure should be performed without the owner's consent, except in an emergency.
Avoiding Supersession: A practitioner should not take over a case from another colleague unless the latter voluntarily withdraws or a formal change is requested by the client.
Second Opinions: Practitioners should be willing to consult with colleagues or refer cases when it is in the best interest of the animal.
Financial and Commercial Practices:
Justified Fees: Fees should be commensurate with the services rendered and the client's capacity to pay. "Cutting" or "rebating" of fees is considered unethical.
No Commission: Practitioners are prohibited from giving or receiving any commission for referring a client.
Dispensing of Medicines: They can dispense medicines, but running an open shop for their sale is considered derogatory to the profession's dignity.
Advertising: Direct advertising is strictly prohibited. A veterinarian is only allowed a simple, professional nameplate. They cannot advertise in the lay press, use signboards with medical symbols, or promise radical cures.
Misconduct:The code explicitly defines actions that constitute "infamous conduct in a professional respect," which can lead to disciplinary action and removal from the register. This includes:
Violating the regulations of the code.
Adulterating or dispensing drugs of substandard quality.
Issuing false certificates, bills, or receipts.
Aiding or abetting unqualified practice.
Promoting secret remedies.
Overall Character: The Karnataka Code is a traditional, principle-based, and restrictivedocument. It emphasizes dignity, restraint, and a clear separation from commercial practices, reflecting a more conservative view of professional ethics.
Comparative Analysis with the UK and US
While the core ethical principles of veterinary medicine (animal welfare, client confidentiality, professional competence) are universal, the implementation, emphasis, and legal framework differ significantly.
Key Differences and Conclusions
Regulatory Approach:
Karnataka: A classical, restrictive code focused on maintaining professional dignity by avoiding commercialism. It largely reads like a just a set of rules.
UK & US: Modern, enabling frameworks that guide professional judgment. The RCVS's "Code of Conduct" is particularly principles-based, while the AVMA provides extensive, practical guidance.
Commercial Reality:
Karnataka: Views advertising and overt commercial activity as "derogatory to the dignity of the profession."
UK & US: Acknowledge the commercial nature of practice but regulate it to ensure honesty and transparency. Advertising is a normal part of business.
Client Communication and Consent:
Karnataka: The concept is present but not deeply elaborated.
UK & US: Informed consent and client communication are central pillars. They are seen as essential for ethical practice and critical for legal risk management in more litigious societies.
Formalization of Support Staff:
The Karnataka code is silent on the role of veterinary paraprofessionals.
The UK and US codes explicitly recognize and regulate the roles of veterinary nurses/technicians, reflecting a more team-based approach to veterinary care.
In summary, the Karnataka Code reflects a traditional, statute-based model of professional ethics. In contrast, the UK and US frameworks have evolved into more dynamic, client- and patient-centered systems that balance ethical principles with the realities of modern business practice and legal accountability. The Karnataka Code could be seen as a foundation that may benefit from future updates to incorporate more explicit guidance on areas like informed consent, teamwork, and managed forms of professional communication.
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