WDA Advocates for Veterinary Reform in Taiwan: Competent Authority Initiates Consultation on Legislative Revisions

The number of veterinary clinics in Taiwan has grown rapidly, now approaching nearly 2,000 establishments. However, the crucial Veterinarians Act has lagged behind, failing to keep pace and meet the evolving healthcare needs of companion animals and pet owners. (Image for illustration purposes only)

As dogs and cats increasingly become integral members of the family, public expectations regarding the quality of veterinary care, medical transparency, and pet owners' rights have grown substantially. However, Taiwan’s current Veterinarians Act and associated regulations have been in place for decades. Confronted with rapid advancements in medical technology, the emergence of telemedicine, and evolving concepts of animal welfare, there is considerable room for review and enhancement. Grounded in its dedication to companion animals, the World Dog Alliance (WDA) has been driving reforms to the Veterinarians Act, achieving promising initial progress.

In April this year, the WDA formally submitted a comprehensive review proposal for the Veterinarians Act at the National NGOs Environmental Conference. The proposal urged the competent authority to holistically review the existing regulatory framework and put forward reform initiatives across key areas, including veterinary care quality, information transparency, professional oversight, and animal protection. In prompt response, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA)—the governing body overseeing veterinary affairs—commenced preliminary work based on the proposal. In late July, APHIA convened a first consultation meeting with the advocating organizations to exchange views on the direction of legislative amendments.

The WDA's proposal centers on five key reform directions:

1. Establishment of an Officially Certified Veterinary Specialty System: The WDA recommends introducing a standardized, impartial certification mechanism for specialties such as cardiology, ophthalmology, and oncology. This would assist pet owners in identifying specialized expertise while driving overall improvements in medical standards.

   
   

2. Enhancement of Medical Information Transparency: The proposal calls for clearer medication labeling and formalized regulatory standards for accessing digital medical records, thereby reducing medical disputes arising from information asymmetry.

   
   

3. Phased Integration of Telemedicine: In response to the digital healthcare trend, the proposal suggests exploring the gradual allowance of telemedicine services for specific circumstances—such as chronic disease follow-ups, post-operative monitoring, and consultations—provided that an initial in-person examination has taken place and a medical record has been established. This approach seeks to balance clinical safety with the healthcare needs of remote areas and specialized cases.

   
   

4. Strengthening the Link Between the Veterinarians Act and the Animal Protection Act: The proposal recommends establishing legal safeguards for veterinarians who report suspected animal abuse cases, while exploring ways to leverage clinical workflows to encourage pet registration compliance, thereby improving oversight at the source.

   
   

5. Reinforcing Professional Ethics and Oversight: In recent years, veterinary clinics have occasionally been implicated in unnecessary surgical procedures and severe animal welfare controversies, drawing widespread public concern. Because disciplinary and mediation powers currently rest solely with local governments, the WDA recommends drawing upon international precedents to establish a centralized professional review or disciplinary committee involving impartial public representatives, thereby ensuring institutional credibility.

Issues concerning pet medication availability, which once drew intense public scrutiny, have now eased thanks to dedicated efforts by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA).   

During the meeting, APHIA stated that it has already begun drafting revisions to the Veterinarians Act, including provisions for a veterinary disciplinary system. Discussions have commenced with veterinary medical associations. Once the official draft reaches a more mature stage, the agency plans to convene animal protection organizations, pet owner representatives, and consumer groups to solicit broad public feedback. APHIA also noted that upcoming legislative revisions will encompass discussions on telemedicine frameworks, medical information transparency, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Significantly, APHIA pointed out that while there are currently over 2,000 veterinary medical institutions across Taiwan, the administrative personnel and resources dedicated to oversight remain severely constrained. Moving forward, balancing healthcare quality control, professional supervision, and animal welfare will depend on sustained collaboration among the government, the veterinary profession, and civil society to refine the system together.

This meeting marks the official transition of the Veterinarians Act reform into the consultation phase. Moving forward, the World Dog Alliance plans not only to monitor the legislative progress closely, but also to support Taiwanese civil society groups in formulating concrete policy recommendations. The goal is to build a modernized veterinary healthcare framework that aligns animal welfare, pet owners' rights, and professional veterinary development, ensuring companion animals receive more robust healthcare protection.