David Bayvel, 1944 – 2015

Dr Bayvel was one of the world’s pre-eminent experts in the fields of animal welfare and veterinary science. He joined World Animal Protection in July 2012 in the pivotal role of Chief Veterinary Adviser, where he helped to ensure that World Animal Protection was working at the heart of the veterinary profession around the world to support and advance animal welfare.

Mike Baker, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are all shocked by the news.  David had a calm intelligence that enabled him to be an effective mentor and high strategist. A figure of global renown in the veterinary world, yes, but more than that he was a friend to many of us.”

Leading the veterinary community into advocacy

Dr Bayvel believed that the veterinary profession could, and should, have a leadership role as advocates for animals in society, underpinned by their professional knowledge, integrity and compassion. His vision was to strengthen this overarching role of the veterinary profession in animal welfare so that it became mainstream and prioritised.

David was instrumental in driving partnerships between World Animal Protection and key veterinary bodies, such as the World Veterinary Association, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations, and the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association. He also paved the way to a strengthening of World Animal Protection’s relationship with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Global recognition for his contibution to animal welfare

Before joining World Animal Protection, David had a long and successful career as the national animal welfare director for the New Zealand government. He was also involved with the OIE, playing a crucial role in adding animal welfare alongside animal disease and public health as core pillars of the OIE’s mission with its 180 member countries.

In recent years Dr Bayvel received several prestigious awards and honours, including the OIE Meritorious Service Award in 2010 and a Queen’s Service Order for services to the state in 2012.

Dr Bayvel will be greatly missed by his colleagues at World Animal Protection, but will remain an inspiration in our efforts to move the world to protect animals. World Animal Protection extends its sincere sympathies to David’s wife Lieschen, his children Scott and Carolyn, and his grandchildren. 

Image: David Bayvel (center with blue tie) stands with one of the many groups he chaired, the OIE Working Equid ad hoc group. 

“We are all shocked by the news. David had a calm intelligence that enabled him to be an effective mentor and high strategist. A figure of global renown in the veterinary world, yes, but more than that he was a friend to many of us.