Transforming animal care

China: advancing veterinary welfare education

In China, our Veterinary Welfare Training Program is reaching thousands of vets and vet students each year. We’re integrating welfare into every area of veterinary education, from internal medicine and dermatology to pain management and dentistry.

We’ve trained over 7,500 vets and 1,200 veterinary students through lectures, hospital visits, online symposiums and conferences. We’ve translated key international resources on animal welfare and pain management into Chinese to ensure best practice is accessible and relevant.

Vietnam: training a new generation of veterinary leaders

From the heart of our bear sanctuary in Tam Dao, Vietnam, we’re nurturing a new generation of veterinary talent. Our Vietnamese veterinary and veterinary nurse internships offer hands-on training and mentorship in diagnostics, surgery, animal behaviour and ethical care.

These are the first internships of their kind in Vietnam, opening up new career paths and helping to raise the standard of care across the country. Our goal is for all our Vietnam-based projects to be run entirely by local teams, supported by our investment in leadership and accredited training.

Transforming bear care

Our Cooperative Care Program is a ground-breaking behavioural training program that encourages bears to voluntarily participate in their own care through positive reinforcement.

As well as benefiting bears directly, this program presents a unique opportunity to train our Vietnamese bear care team on different aspects of animal training and bear behaviour, with guidance from our experienced animal behaviour staff. 

By empowering bears to cooperate in routine procedures, such as blood pressure readings, eye drops and blood samples, it saves them from the unnecessary stress and risks of being transported and anaesthetised – and gives us better data to plan their care.

These gentle, trust-based methods are now being shared with zoos and rescue centres across Vietnam, extending the reach of our impact.

Beyond our sanctuaries

Across Vietnam, we support four government wildlife rescue centres – delivering enrichment guidance, emergency care support and practical training that lifts welfare standards for every species. Our training on biosecurity, nutrition and nursing care make learning accessible and effective.

Since 2016, we’ve also worked with Yok Don National Park and the Elephant Conservation Centre to protect critically endangered elephants and end elephant riding. One of our Animal Care and Welfare Managers is based full-time at Yok Don, mentoring local staff caring for 14 rescued elephants. Working with the Elephant Conservation Centre, we:

• Run practical workshops to improve elephant care

• Advise on veterinary treatment, enrichment and behaviour

• Host staff at our sanctuary for hands-on training

• Design and build enclosures for multiple species.

Leading on the world stage

Our team is invited to speak at major international events, including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress and the China Pet Welfare Science Conference. We also host training with visiting specialists, promote welfare-friendly clinical practice, and drive public awareness through high-profile campaigns.

One mission, many voices

From Hanoi to Hangzhou, we’re uniting experts, carers and students behind a common goal: a future where animals are seen as sentient beings deserving of dignity and care. Through pioneering training and regional leadership, Animals Asia is building a movement – one that’s rooted in kindness and guided by science.