31st January 2024
Alison Hammond will present the new series of For the Love of Dogs, ITV has announced.
The series, previously hosted by the late Paul O'Grady, follows the rescue animals cared for by Battersea.
Ms Hammond said: "I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all."
The series, previously hosted by the late Paul O'Grady, follows the rescue animals cared for by Battersea.
Ms Hammond said: "I am very aware that I can never replace the iconic Paul in this wonderful series, but if I can continue to shine a light on the brilliant work done at Battersea and help to tell the stories of these beautiful dogs, then it will be an absolute privilege to give it my all."
18th January 2024
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has written to Lord Douglas-Miller at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), about the lack of action in Parliament to finalise a ban on using hand-controlled electric shock collars on cats and dogs.
In the letter, BVA president Anna Judson wrote: 'Although it is due to come into force on 1 February 2024, and has been carried over into the current parliamentary session, it has yet to be allocated parliamentary time in the House of Commons.'
A Defra spokesperson said: "We remain committed to delivering our pledge to ban the use of hand-controlled electric shock collars. Parliamentary business will be announced in due course."
In the letter, BVA president Anna Judson wrote: 'Although it is due to come into force on 1 February 2024, and has been carried over into the current parliamentary session, it has yet to be allocated parliamentary time in the House of Commons.'
A Defra spokesperson said: "We remain committed to delivering our pledge to ban the use of hand-controlled electric shock collars. Parliamentary business will be announced in due course."
9th January 2024
Scottish athlete and veterinary surgeon Laura Muir has been retrospectively awarded a bronze medal for the Women's 3000m at the 2015 European Indoor Championship.
Although Dr Muir finished fourth, winner Yelena Korobkina has been found guilty of doping offences and her results from July 2013 to July 2016 have been expunged.
Dr Muir told Scottish Athletics: "Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But, looking back, it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn't happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!"
Although Dr Muir finished fourth, winner Yelena Korobkina has been found guilty of doping offences and her results from July 2013 to July 2016 have been expunged.
Dr Muir told Scottish Athletics: "Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But, looking back, it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn't happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!"
27th December 2023
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has reminded veterinary professionals of its anti-parasitic prescription-only veterinary medicine (POM-V) guidance, which comes into effect on 12 January 2024.
The instructions form part of the RCVS' Under Care Guidance, which was largely implemented in September, but anti-parasitic rules were delayed after feedback from the profession.
When prescribing anti-parasitic POM-Vs, patient records should include enough information that any person supplying it knows what to do.
Full information on the guidance here.
The instructions form part of the RCVS' Under Care Guidance, which was largely implemented in September, but anti-parasitic rules were delayed after feedback from the profession.
When prescribing anti-parasitic POM-Vs, patient records should include enough information that any person supplying it knows what to do.
Full information on the guidance here.
21st December 2023
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has reported three new cases of bluetongue in cattle in Norfolk, and a further infected animal near Sandwich, Kent.
This brings the total number of bluetongue cases in the UK to 27. There is no evidence that it is circulating in midges.
There are movement restrictions to animals in zones displayed on an interactive map.
APHA is asking people to continue to look for and report new cases of the disease.
This brings the total number of bluetongue cases in the UK to 27. There is no evidence that it is circulating in midges.
There are movement restrictions to animals in zones displayed on an interactive map.
APHA is asking people to continue to look for and report new cases of the disease.
19th December 2023
The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new section on its website to provide owners and care-givers with the latest advice on equine welfare.
Resources are available for free on a range topics, covering areas such as health, nutrition, behaviour, and environment.
Rebecca Boulert, World Horse Welfare research and education officer, said: "We are fortunate that we are able to bring up-to-date, evidence-based advice and guidance into the public forum, with the support of a range of industry experts and professionals."
The advice pages can be accessed here.
Resources are available for free on a range topics, covering areas such as health, nutrition, behaviour, and environment.
Rebecca Boulert, World Horse Welfare research and education officer, said: "We are fortunate that we are able to bring up-to-date, evidence-based advice and guidance into the public forum, with the support of a range of industry experts and professionals."
The advice pages can be accessed here.
8th December 2023
Red, a search and rescue dog with the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team, has died after 12 years of service.
The National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) announced on Facebook that he had died from cancer.
The border collie joined the team in 2011 at eight weeks old. During his career, he helped in over 250 searches.
Red retired in 2022, due to his diagnosis. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to six months, he lived for 12 months.
The National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) announced on Facebook that he had died from cancer.
The border collie joined the team in 2011 at eight weeks old. During his career, he helped in over 250 searches.
Red retired in 2022, due to his diagnosis. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to six months, he lived for 12 months.
27th November 2023
Miles Russell, president of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has been elected to the House of Lords as a crossbench hereditary peer.
He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.
Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.
"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change."
He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.
Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.
"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change."
13th November 2023
Fellows of the RCVS have elected three members to the Fellowship Board.
Dr Niall Connell was elected as vice-chair, Professor Richard Piercy was elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge, and Andrew Robinson was re-elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession.
Dr Connell said: "I'm delighted to be part of the Fellowship Board team. I'm very much looking forward to doing my best to work with Chris [Tufnell] our chair, the board, and the Fellowship for the benefit and advancement of our professions."
Dr Niall Connell was elected as vice-chair, Professor Richard Piercy was elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge, and Andrew Robinson was re-elected as chair of the Credentials Panel for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession.
Dr Connell said: "I'm delighted to be part of the Fellowship Board team. I'm very much looking forward to doing my best to work with Chris [Tufnell] our chair, the board, and the Fellowship for the benefit and advancement of our professions."
6th November 2023
Veterinary Management Group (VMG) has opened registration for VMG Congress 2024, which will be held at Stratford-upon-Avon on 25-26 April 2024.
Dr Andy Cope, a mental health and wellbeing expert, will be the keynote speaker.
VMG director Liz Somerville said: "Building on the success of our 2023 Congress, VMG is committed to giving our delegates access to vibrant and innovative speakers, who offer relevant content to support them in their goals as leaders, managers and business owners."
Full details of the programme can be found on the VMG website.
Dr Andy Cope, a mental health and wellbeing expert, will be the keynote speaker.
VMG director Liz Somerville said: "Building on the success of our 2023 Congress, VMG is committed to giving our delegates access to vibrant and innovative speakers, who offer relevant content to support them in their goals as leaders, managers and business owners."
Full details of the programme can be found on the VMG website.
30th October 2023
The Scottish SPCA is asking people not to dump their pumpkins in wooded areas after Halloween.
Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.
Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Pumpkins aren't a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.
"More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell."
Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.
Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: "Pumpkins aren't a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.
"More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell."
27th October 2023
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has been awarded the highest Investors in the Environment 'Green' level accreditation for the second year running.
The title recognises the association's Green Group's work to improve sustainability, such as tree planting, litter picking, donating and an annual pledge.
BVA president Anna Judson said: "This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of BVA's Green Group, who have really driven the work towards maintaining this accreditation."
The title recognises the association's Green Group's work to improve sustainability, such as tree planting, litter picking, donating and an annual pledge.
BVA president Anna Judson said: "This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of BVA's Green Group, who have really driven the work towards maintaining this accreditation."