The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) recently published an article titled “Opinion on the Welfare Implications of Specialised Canine Reproductive Practices” on December 19th, 2024. This piece has sparked concern among paraprofessional ultrasound scanners, particularly regarding its opinion that ultrasound scanning should be the sole domain of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registered veterinary surgeons. This article seeks to address these concerns, clarify the implications of the AWC’s recommendations, and reaffirm the importance of high standards in paraprofessional ultrasound training and practice.
First and foremost, it is important to note that the AWC’s article represents an opinion piece—not legislation or a policy change. The recommendations outlined in the publication are based on the AWC’s interpretation of best practices in animal welfare. There is no indication that any of the opinions expressed in the article are being actioned or that legislation is forthcoming to restrict ultrasound scanning to veterinary surgeons exclusively.
The primary focus of the AWC’s article is on improving animal welfare within canine fertility practices. This includes artificial insemination (AI), breeding practices, and ensuring the health and quality of life of dogs and their offspring. The Animal Ultrasound Association (AUA) fully supports this focus. Ensuring the welfare of animals and promoting due diligence among breeders aligns with the core mission of our organisation.
While we respect the AWC’s emphasis on animal welfare, we strongly disagree with their stance on paraprofessional ultrasound scanners. At the AUA, we believe that properly trained paraprofessionals play a crucial role in supporting veterinary practices and safeguarding animal health.
Our training programs are unparalleled in their rigour and quality. Every AUA trainee receives education and guidance from a qualified sonographer, making our program the only one of its kind globally. We take immense pride in the knowledge and skills we impart to our trainees. Importantly, our training emphasises the critical importance of working within defined boundaries: confirming pregnancy and viability, identifying incidental findings, and referring clients to a registered veterinary surgeon at the first sign of doubt, distress, or a potential medical issue.
The AWC highlighted certain issues with lay ultrasound scanners, such as:
While these concerns are valid and distressing, they do not reflect the high standards of scanning practiced by AUA-trained professionals. Since our founding, the AUA has set a high bar of training standards to ensure the highest quality of care. We are confident that our rigorous courses produce scanners who are equipped to provide accurate results and support the veterinary and breeding communities.
The AUA remains steadfast in its mission to support animal welfare, improve the quality of veterinary ultrasound scanning for veterinary professionals, sonographers and responsible lay scanners. Our focus on compliance with legislation, awareness of industry updates, and dedication to education ensures that AUA-certified scanners deliver exceptional care.
We encourage breeders and scanners to continue prioritising animal welfare by investing in top-tier training and reviewing their practices to meet evolving industry standards. Together, we can build a community that upholds the best interests of animals and promotes the responsible and ethical care they deserve.
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