Animal Welfare Conference

Dr Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS, Advovet Consultancy Services. Maggie Roberts graduated from Edinburgh University in 1986 and spent her early career in veterinary practice, where she developed an interest in feline medicine.  She was appointed the first Cats Protection Veterinary Officer in 1997. After returning to private practice as a partner she rejoined Cats Protection in 2006 as Director of Veterinary Services with responsibility for the charity’s work on veterinary services, neutering, research, advocacy and education.

She co-founded the Shelter and Charity Veterinary Association and co-edited the BSAVA Manual of Shelter Medicine.

Maggie has recently set up Advovet Consultancy Services to improve standards in companion animal charities.

Sharon Edwards, Senior Consultant Animal Health Inspector at City of London Animal Health & Welfare Services.  With a family background in Dairy Farming and the equine industry, Sharon joined the City of London’s Heathrow Animal Reception Centre in 1987, specialising in the import of both domestic and exotic species. In 2004, after qualifying in Animal Health and Legal Practices through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute she transferred to the City of London’s Animal Health & Welfare Services Team contracting both legal and husbandry Animal Health expertise to Local Authorities carrying both farm and companion animal licence inspections. Sharon is currently Chair of the Local Government Animal Welfare Group, and represents local authorities on CFSG (Canine Feline Sector Group) and CASC (Companion Animal Sector Group). Sharon delivers Animal Activity licence training across England, Scotland and Wales. In England and Wales delivering an Ofqual level 3 qualification for suitably qualified officers under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018 and the Welsh equivalent.