Dr Sophia Ramlal, director of veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, has been appointed the new chair of the Jamaica Veterinary Board.

The appointment brings relief to animal doctors who could not be certified for 2025 due to an almost six-month absence of the board, and animal welfare advocates who expressed concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight that would cause fake practitioners to enter the industry.

Portfolio minister Floyd Green said Cabinet approved members of the board during a meeting last week and the ministry is writing formal letters to the selected members.

The new board is expected to have its first meeting next week to alleviate challenges within the industry and certify veterinarians across the island.

“Dr Ramlal brings over 25 years of veterinary service experience to the post, having worked as senior veterinarian at the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and now chief veterinary officer. I am very confident that she will be a strong, innovative and efficient leader of the board,” Green told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

As director of veterinary services, Dr Ramlal ensures the health and well-being of animals across Jamaica. She is also trained in preventing the spread of diseases, managing quarantine facilities, and promoting animal welfare.

Green gave the update after last week’s Observer report highlighting deep concern among animal advocates and veterinarians about delays in appointing a new veterinary board.

The absence of a regulatory body, they said, had prevented effective crackdown on fake vets in the industry and was negatively impacting the work of legitimate professionals in the field.

On Monday, Green encouraged individuals to reach out to the ministry to check if an individual is registered to operate.

“People can reach out and if they have any doubts they should. If they know that there is somebody operating without the requisite registration, then they should report it and especially report it to the police because that would be in contravention of our laws,” he said.

“I will ask the new board to ensure that they embark on a sensitisation campaign so that people know what are the requirements for people to practie as vets so that when you go and bring your pet or animal you know what to look out for,” he added.

The Jamaica Veterinary Board is responsible for administering the Veterinary Act, which regulates the registration of veterinary surgeons, the enrolment of animal health assistants, and the conduct of disciplinary proceedings in cases of unprofessional behaviour within the veterinary profession.

The board’s primary mandate is to protect both the public and animals by ensuring that veterinary services are delivered by qualified and duly registered professionals.