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BSAVA Congress News Archive
Veterinary nurses reminded to pay fees by the end of the year
5th December 2014
Renewal fees to stay on the List/Register of Veterinary Nurses need to be paid to the RCVS by December 31, 2014. The £61 fee can be paid online through the "My Account" area on the RCVS website. Any nurses who do not have their login details should contact the RCVS on 020 7202 0707. Payments by cheque must be received by the college by December 19 and clear by December 31.

As well as paying the fee, all nurses are required to confirm their registration details and correspondence address. Registered veterinary nurses will also need to declare convictions, cautions and/or adverse findings and confirm they are compliant with CPD requirements of 45 hours over a three-year period.
Armadillo photos win prestigious wildlife photography prize
4th December 2014
Photographs of endangered and elusive giant armadillos, taken by a camera-trap in Brazil, have been awarded prizes in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Magazine Camera-trap Photo of the Year 2014 competition.

The photographs capture a giant armadillo, aged just 17 months old, appearing to still share his mother's territory. Until now, it was believed the natural dispersal age from their mothers for the giant armadillo occurred at just six weeks old.

The images were caught during the night via a remote camera by Dr Arnaud Desbiez, Latin America Coordinator for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), as part of the RZSS Giant Armadillo Project.

Image (C) RZSS
Sheep flock to Eiffel Tower
1st December 2014
French farmers have unleashed their sheep on the Eiffel Tower in protest against rising numbers of wolf attacks. Some feel the wolf has been given too much protection and protestors are demanding the government take action to reduce the number of attacks. According to the Telegraph, official figures showed there were 4,800 wolf attacks, mainly on sheep, between January and August this year. This is an increase of 1,000 attacks compared to 2013.
Neglected deaf dog is Hero of the Year
28th November 2014
Deaf springer spaniel Henry was crowned Hero Animal of the Year at an awards ceremony this week. After suffering terrible neglect at the hands of his previous owner, he was adopted by Julie Barrett, who suffers from diabetes among other conditions.

Henry now detects when Julie's blood sugar levels fall too low and saved her life by alerting her mother when Julie fell ill with septicaemia. He has learnt sign language and is an ambassador for the Deaf Dog Network. He received his award at the Animal Hero Awards which recognise courageous animals as well as outstanding people and businesses that have made a difference to animal welfare. (Image: RSPCA)
Nominations open for Kennel Club Friends for Life Awards
27th November 2014
Nominations are now open for the Kennel Club Friends for Life awards. The organisation would like to hear from people who feel that their life, or the life of somebody they know, has been changed dramatically by their dog. The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and will go forward to the final at Crufts on March 8, 2015. To make a nomination visit www.crufts.org.uk

Image (C) Kennel Club
Fish and chips are causing eider duck eggs to fail
25th November 2014
Wildlife expert Chris Watson has warned that eider ducks in Northumberland are being harmed by people feeding them fish and chips. Speaking to BBC Radio Four's Broadcasting House, Mr Watson said the lack of calcium in the food is damaging their eggs.

"Normally eider ducks eat shellfish not fish and chips," he said. "There's a problem because they are such attractive, friendly birds to feed, and yet the food we are giving them - bread and things like that - is actually causing a dietary problem".
Target Grants 2
24th November 2014
RCVS Knowledge are now accepting applications for a second round of Target Grants, which will fund the development of short courses in evidence-based medicine for veterinary professionals.

The courses will help professionals advance their skills in applying evidence-based veterinary medicine techniques in every day practical decision-making. They will also enable practitioners to contribute their skills and knowledge to the wider community, by producing Knowledge Summaries on specific areas of veterinary care.

The deadline for applications is Friday 16th January 2015. Further information, including full application criteria, is available at www.rcvsknowledge.org/grants/available-grants
Egghead becomes a hedgehog ambassador
19th November 2014
British hedgehogs have a new ambassador in famous intellectual CJ de Mooi from TV quiz show, the Eggheads. CJ has become a celebrity patron of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). He once ran his own hedgehog sanctuary in Germany and is keen to help the UK's hedgehogs too.

The charity's chief executive Fay Vass said BHPS is very grateful for CJ's support. "Hedgehog populations are plummeting in the UK; it's a shocking fact that their loss is comparable to that of the world's tiger population," she said.
Battlefield tour ride raises 22,000 for World Horse Welfare
13th November 2014
A unique battlefield tour, which took participants on a journey through significant sites of the early days of WW1, has raised 22,000 for World Horse Welfare.

Following part of the famous Retreat from Mons (August 23 - September 5, 1914) the charity's bespoke ride took horses and their riders to notable cavalry battlefields such as Mauberge, Le Cateau, Maretz, Saint Quentin, Ham, Compeigne, Villers Cotterets and Nery. The trip was mainly on horseback but did include bus rides in the evenings, accompanied by the group's Battlefield tour guide who not only brought the events of one hundred years ago to life, but also rode every inch of the ride with the participants.

The funds, which were raised by each individual rider via sponsors, will help the many neglected horses both in the UK and across the world.
Tens of thousands flock to Discover Dogs for last Earls Court event
11th November 2014
Nearly 33,500 dog lovers headed to this year's Discover Dogs event last weekend, to meet more than 200 different breeds and learn about choosing the right pedigree for their lifestyle and finding a responsible breeder.

It was the last Discover Dogs to be held at Earls Court London, the iconic venue that has housed the event for 19 years. Next year, it will move to ExCeL London.

Organisers said they were "honoured" to share the event last weekend with First World War centenary celebrations that commemorated both animals and humans who lost their lives in the war.

Caroline Kisko, secretary for the Kennel Club, which hosts the event, said: "Discover Dogs is a unique event...We are so glad that the public continue to gain so much enjoyment from this event, which really does make a difference for dogs".
Born Free announces <i>WIldworks</i>
4th November 2014
The Born Free Foundation has announced Wildworks - a major celebrity exhibition and auction in aid of the international wildlife charity.

The exhibition includes artwork from famous names across the world of film, television,music and art - including comic genius Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), socialite Lady Victoria Hervey and movie actor Billy Zain.

It will also feature works by acclaimed artists Nicky Phillips, who famously painted the Queen's portrait, and Sheree Valentine Daines, the highly popular modern impressionist artist.

A selected number of limited edition prints from Born Free's own collection will be up for sale at the private view and auction on 11 November.

Wildworks takes place at the prestigious Clarendon Fine Art Gallery in Mayfair, London and will remain open to the public on the 12th 13th and 14th November. For more information visit: www.bornfree.org.uk
Battersea appoints new director of operations
30th October 2014
Peter Laurie, the highly regarded chief executive of the Retired Greyhound Trust, has been appointed as Battersea's director of operations.

Peter will be responsible for the direction and management of all aspects of the day to day running on the home's centres, over 60 per cent of the charity's staff and more than one thousand volunteers.

Battersea's Chief Executive, Claire Horton, said: "I'm thrilled Peter is joining Battersea as our new operations director, as he offers us such a breadth of experience across all a sectors of animal welfare and dogs in particular, and is hugely respected in the sector."

Peter Laurie takes up his post in February 2015.