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Drive to raise awareness of support for vets
New Vet Helpine video emphasises that anyone in the profession can seek help.
Vet Helpline stickers and video distributed to practices

In a drive to raise awareness of its support network, the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF) has distributed a new Vet Helpline video and stickers to veterinary practices.

At a recent meeting of the VBF's board, key issues were discussed relating to the welfare of veterinary professionals, and the challenge of ensuring support services are well-funded and easily accessible.

Anxiety and depression are the most common complaints raised with Vet Helpline, which offers everyone in the profession the opportunity to discuss their problems with someone who understands the industry.

To raise awareness of its services among veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, VBF has joined forces with the Veterinary Defence Society to distribute Vet Helpline stickers to over 4,000 practices.

All veterinary organisations are also being asked to display the new Vet Helpline video on their websites.

The video shows a typical call to Vet Helpline, stressing that anyone in the veterinary profession, including students and veterinary nurses, can ask for help, whether by phone or anonymously by email.

President of the VBF, Lydia Brown, said: "We are committed to ensuring that all veterinary personnel are aware of the support that is available for them and know how to access it."

To get a Vet Helpline sticker for your workplace, contact the VBF via email.

View the Vet Helpline video here: http://vimeo.com/80551830

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.