What Is Needed

Support for caregivers of animals in captivity, fostering accountability and advancing welfare practices to ensure optimal care and ethical standards across industries.

 

What We Do

Veterinarians International takes a balanced approach to animal welfare in captivity. While we neither advocate for nor against captivity, we are unwavering in our commitment to improving the well-being of animals and supporting their caregivers. Our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jenna Wallace, has dedicated herself to creating safe spaces, offering guidance, and providing support to caregivers in the captivity industry. Through her work, Dr. Wallace helps ensure greater accountability and better welfare standards.

At Veterinarians International, we extend this support by offering a confidential resource for zookeepers, marine mammal trainers, and veterinarians. These individuals can speak anonymously with experienced consultants, who will provide guidance and direct them to the appropriate agency or organization with jurisdiction or expertise to address the issue effectively.
Over the years, Dr. Wallace has collaborated with a wide array of federal and state agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, to advance animal welfare. Her efforts include documenting and reporting issues to key entities such as:

  • USDA APHIS – Animal Care, Office of Inspector General (OIG), and Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES)
  • NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
  • Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation)
  • Florida State Attorney’s Office
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Miami-Dade County authorities
  • Animal Legal Defense Fund
  • EPA CID (Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division)
  • Department of Justice – Federal Prosecutors in West Virginia and Central Florida
  • Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources
  • The Dolphin Project