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

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.

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

Mark Cummings from BBC Radio Gloucester and his lurcher Tyler will be leading a charity dog walk on Sunday, October 26 at the Bathurst Estate, Cirencester.

Dog owners will get a unique opportunity to walk their canine companions in the stunning grounds of Cirencester Park, all to raise funds and awareness for PetSavers - an animal charity that helps treat pet diseases.

Mark said: "I am delighted to be able to support the first ever charity dog walk run by PetSavers to raise money and awareness for animal health. I urge everyone to don their wellies and take part in this fundraising charity dog walk in aid of PetSavers to both support and highlight the fantastic work they continue to do."

To download a registration form visit www.petsavers.org.uk

A second nurse has tested positive for Ebola, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed yesterday (October 15).

The nurse, revealed to be Amber Vinson, treated the late Thomas Eric Duncan - the first person in the US to develop Ebola - at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.

According to media reports, investigations are being carried out to determine how the nurse was allowed to fly on a plane after becoming infected while treating a patient. Health officials are attempting to track down 132 people who flew on the plane with Ms Vinson.

BBC News reported that Thomas Frieden, CDC director, said the nurse should not have been allowed to travel on a commercial flight. Meanwhile another health official said Ms Vinson was permitted to fly because her temperature was only mildly elevated, according to the New York Times.

The Ebola epidemic has so far killed around 4,500 people.

(Image credit: Dr. Frederick A. Murphy/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library/Wikipedia)

Veterinary surgeon Janey Lowes from Westway Veterinary Group is taking a year's sabbatical and heading to Sri Lanka. Whilst there, she will help to tackle the country's stray dog problem and launch a new charity, WECare.

WECare was set up by Westway in partnership with Embark, a Sri Lankan campaign to improve the lives of stray dogs whilst controlling the population and preventing rabies. WECare's founding member Janey says: "WECare are going to save the world, one animal at a time!"

To date, Embark have succeeded in neutering close to 10,000 dogs, vaccinating 25,000 and rehoming nearly 2,000 puppies. WEcare will assist in this campaign and provide veterinary care to sick or injured animals.

When Janey travelled to Bali two years ago, she was shocked by the condition of the stray dogs there. She plans to set up a mobile clinic and run a mass neutering and vaccination campaign in Sri Lanka. Westway vets and nurses will travel to the country to assist with the campaign. WECare will initially focus on Sri Lanka's one million stray dogs, but the long-term aim is to roll out veterinary services across the globe.

Find out more and keep up to date on WECare's work through its Facebook page.