David Vella consults exclusively as an exotics vet in Sydney. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1992, and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1996, both from the University of Sydney. In 2009, David became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammals, the first Australian vet to achieve these credentials. David's interest in natural history began early in life. Growing up in Sydney's suburbia he was lured to the appeal of native avifauna and herpetofauna. His first four years of vet life were spent practicing in the UK, where his exposure to 'exotic' pets was greatly enhanced. Since graduating as a vet, the appeal of exotic veterinary medicine has engaged David to work on a range of exotic animals. He is particularly interested in small mammals (especially rabbits) as well as reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery. David is owner and director of Sydney Exotics & Rabbit Vets (SERV) that operates out of North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre (Artarmon).