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Lottery donation secures a bright future for PDSA
David Murdoch, Oskar the bearded collie and Danyl Johnston
(from left) Olympian David Murdoch, bearded collie Oskar and singer Danyl Johnston.
Charity plans to extend its work after being awarded £500K by the People's Postcode Lottery 

Pets across the UK can look forward to a healthy future, after PDSA was awarded £500,000 from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The charity, which helped over 470,000 pet owners last year by providing treatment and advice, will use this money to extend vital treatment and education programmes across the UK.

PDSA costs over £60 million annually to run, and is funded entirely by public support, proving that its services are appreciated by a nation of animal lovers.

Director general Jan McLouglin, commented: “We’re delighted to receive this support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery which will make a massive difference to pets’ lives.

“Every single day our amazing team of vets and nurses work flat out to deliver not just life-saving treatment but also vital advice and preventive care that gives all pets the chance of healthy, happy lives.”

The People's Postcode Lottery is a charity, raising funds, and increasing awareness for charitable causes in the UK. People participate by registering their postcode, and paying £2 for each ticket, of which 50p goes towards charity.

The cheque was presented on May 13 at Inverleith Park in Edinburgh, and the charity was joined at the event by a number of animal-loving celebrities, including members of Britain's Olympic silver-medal winning curling squad.

Singer and People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson also attended the event. He spoke of his delight for PDSA: “I have first-hand experience of PDSA’s lifesaving work having visited one of their hospitals last year.

"The vets and nurses really are unsung heroes, helping all those sick and injured pets that have nowhere else to turn. I’m thrilled that this money is going to such a worthy cause.”

 

 

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.