Hugh Wirth
Encyclopedia
Dr Hugh John Wirth AM is an outspoken veterinarian
and animal welfare
advocate in Victoria
, Australia
. In March 2011 he celebrated 30 years as the resident vet on 774 ABC Melbourne
.
in Melbourne from 1949 to 1957. Studied Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland
– Brisbane, Graduated 16 December 1963.
Wirth commenced work as an Associate Veterinary Practitioner at Drouin
Veterinary Surgery, 1964-1965. After this he was employed as Associate Veterinary Practitioner, Balwyn Veterinary Surgery, 1965-1966. Wirth took over the Balwyn practice in January 1967 after the Veterinarian went into hospital for an eye operation and never returned to the practice to work. He was the Principal in the practice from January 1967 to his retirement in August 2006.
as a junior member in 1948, trained in veterinary science and practiced as a veterinarian
for 47 years, and has become one of Australia's best known and outspoken animal welfare advocates.
He has now been a council member for RSPCA Victoria since 1969, and President since 1972.
He was the first non-European to hold the position as president of the World Society for the Protection of Animals
.
On the Live export
trade Hugh Wirth has been a staunch opponent arguing "That the animal is killed in an Australian abattoir. Subject to head-only stunning so that it meets the Koran's demands."
Similarly, Dr Wirth has opposed duck hunting calling it cruel and unnecessary and no longer an accetable cultural practice for Victorians.
In March 2011 RSPCA Australia
Victoria president Hugh Wirth said the organisation will investigate all reports of animal cruelty resulting from the Eden Park Kangaroo Cull
and also said herding of kangaroos, which has been reported as part of the kangaroo cull, was in breach of a Victorian kangaroo management plan compiled by the DSE and approved by the RSPCA years ago.
(AM) on 10 June 1985 "for service in the field of animal welfare particularly with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)."
In 1988 Dr Wirth was the first Australian to receive the prestigious George T Angell Humanitarian Award from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(MSPCA).
Hugh Wirth was named Victorian of the Year
in 1997.
9780733328886
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
and animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
advocate in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In March 2011 he celebrated 30 years as the resident vet on 774 ABC Melbourne
774 ABC Melbourne
774 ABC Melbourne is an ABC Local Radio station in Melbourne, Australia. Originally known by its callsign 3LO, it began transmission on 13 October 1924 – Melbourne's second radio station after 3AR.-History:...
.
Education and Employment
Attended Xavier CollegeXavier College
Xavier College is a Roman Catholic, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, with its main campus located in Kew, an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
in Melbourne from 1949 to 1957. Studied Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
– Brisbane, Graduated 16 December 1963.
Wirth commenced work as an Associate Veterinary Practitioner at Drouin
Drouin, Victoria
Drouin is a major service town, located in West Gippsland, east of Melbourne. Its local government area is the Shire of Baw Baw. The town is supposedly named after a Frenchman who invented a chlorination process for the extraction of ore or an Aboriginal word meaning "north wind". New estate...
Veterinary Surgery, 1964-1965. After this he was employed as Associate Veterinary Practitioner, Balwyn Veterinary Surgery, 1965-1966. Wirth took over the Balwyn practice in January 1967 after the Veterinarian went into hospital for an eye operation and never returned to the practice to work. He was the Principal in the practice from January 1967 to his retirement in August 2006.
Animal Welfare Advocacy
He joined the RSPCARSPCA Australia
RSPCA Australia is an Australian organisation that promotes animal welfare. It is funded in part by the Australian Government but relies on corporate sponsorship, fundraising events and voluntary donations for its income.RSPCA Australia defines its purpose as being the leading authority in animal...
as a junior member in 1948, trained in veterinary science and practiced as a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
for 47 years, and has become one of Australia's best known and outspoken animal welfare advocates.
He has now been a council member for RSPCA Victoria since 1969, and President since 1972.
He was the first non-European to hold the position as president of the World Society for the Protection of Animals
World Society for the Protection of Animals
The World Society for the Protection of Animals is an international non-profit animal welfare organization and also a federation of such organisations and active in over 150 countries with more than 1000 member societies.- Organization :...
.
On the Live export
Live export
Live export is the transport of living farm animals usually across either state or national borders.Animal charities say that thousands of animals die en route from disease, heat exhaustion, thirst, suffocation, and crush injuries. The National Hog Farmer reports that 420,000 pigs are crippled and...
trade Hugh Wirth has been a staunch opponent arguing "That the animal is killed in an Australian abattoir. Subject to head-only stunning so that it meets the Koran's demands."
Similarly, Dr Wirth has opposed duck hunting calling it cruel and unnecessary and no longer an accetable cultural practice for Victorians.
In March 2011 RSPCA Australia
RSPCA Australia
RSPCA Australia is an Australian organisation that promotes animal welfare. It is funded in part by the Australian Government but relies on corporate sponsorship, fundraising events and voluntary donations for its income.RSPCA Australia defines its purpose as being the leading authority in animal...
Victoria president Hugh Wirth said the organisation will investigate all reports of animal cruelty resulting from the Eden Park Kangaroo Cull
Eden Park Kangaroo Cull
During October 2010 the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE applied for and received a 12 month permit from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment for the Eden Park Kangaroo Cull - to cull 300 Eastern Grey Kangaroos on its 320 hectare Eden Park Vineyard and farm and Northern...
and also said herding of kangaroos, which has been reported as part of the kangaroo cull, was in breach of a Victorian kangaroo management plan compiled by the DSE and approved by the RSPCA years ago.
Honours
Hugh Wirth was made a Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AM) on 10 June 1985 "for service in the field of animal welfare particularly with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)."
In 1988 Dr Wirth was the first Australian to receive the prestigious George T Angell Humanitarian Award from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
MSPCA-Angell
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center is a 501 non-profit organization with its main headquarters on South Huntington Avenue in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1868 and is the second-oldest...
(MSPCA).
Hugh Wirth was named Victorian of the Year
Victorian of the Year
The Victorian of the Year is an award given to the most outstanding Victorian in any given year.This is not to be confused with the Victorian winner of the Australian of the Year awarded in Canberra by the Australia Day Council .The Victorian of the year is awarded in Melbourne by the Victoria Day...
in 1997.
Books
Hugh Wirth is the author of two books for pet owners:- Living with Dogs: A Commonsense Guide, Doubleday, (2011), ISBN
9780733328886
- Living With Cats: A commonsense guide, HarperCollins, (2010) ISBN 9780733328893