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Uncertain future for working dog rescue
german shepherd dog
Bravo Working Dog Rescue helps to resettle retired police, MOD and security dogs.

Centre faces closure in the new year without funding

A rescue centre for retired working dogs from the police, Ministry of Defence and security industries is facing an uncertain future due to funding problems.

Bravo Working Dog Rescue has launched a crowd funding drive to raise £5,000. Without these funds, the centre says it will be forced to close in the new year, putting the lives of hundreds of working dogs in jeopardy.

Animal behaviourist Debbie Connolly founded the rescue centre in 2012 as she was saddened by the fact that in the previous 10 years, over 800 military dogs were euthanised when their working lives ended.

The centre's work is financed by donations, fundraising and profits from Ms Connolly's own paid animal behaviour work. Currently the kennels are filled with rescues which limits the capacity for paid client work.



Over the past 18 months the centre says it has been preparing its site for new kennels to be donated by British Transport Police. But it claims the kennels supplied are not fit for purpose and it will now cost £10,000 to build the planned kennel block.

Initially the centre is hoping to raise £5,000 to avoid closure and build a few of the kennels.

Responding to the charity's claims that it has been 'let down', a spokesperson from British Transport Police said: "British Transport Police purchased a number of kennels in 2012 for use during the London Olympic Games. These were also later used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales.

"After these events, the kennels were deemed surplus to requirements and the decision was made to donate some of the dog kennels to Bravo Working Dog Rescue.  
 
"We are very disappointed to hear that the kennels provided are not to Mrs Connolly’s satisfaction and we would encourage her to contact us to discuss the matter further."

Visit Bravo Working Dog Rescue's JustGiving page here: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/bravo-dog-rescue-kennels

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
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Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk