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Battersea volunteer to attend The Patron’s Lunch
Chris and her dogs
Chris McLean with her Battersea foster dogs.
Event celebrates the Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities
 
A dedicated Battersea volunteer has been selected to attend the Patron’s Lunch Parade in London on Sunday to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Since joining Battersea in 2010, Chris McLean from Surbiton has transformed the lives of many anxious and abused dogs.

Her dedication to the charity has grown year-on-year, and her volunteering activities now include spreading responsible messages in London’s hard to reach communities.

Staff and fellow volunteers regard Chris as one of Battersea’s most respected and trusted volunteers. For this reason, she will join thousands of charity supporters on the Mall in London to mark the Queen’s birthday.

Battersea’s head of volunteering Charlotte Fielder explains why Chris stands out among Battersea’s 1,200 active volunteers:

“The patience, compassion and joy Chris displays in any task given is truly inspirational. She is a trusted representative of the Home and takes on dogs when no one else can to change their lives.

“It’s Chris we immediately think of whenever we have a vulnerable or traumatised dog in need of additional care and nurturing – she really is a life saver for these dogs. We hope she always knows how grateful we are of her dedication to Battersea.”

The Patron’s Lunch celebrates the Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations.

Others representing Battersea include Claire Horton, veterinary director Shaun Opperman, and acting volunteer manager Mike Puddy.
 
The celebrations on the day will include a 1,500-strong parade, in which around 20 Battersea volunteers and staff members are taking part.

Members of the public can watch the entertainment parade and the day’s Royal proceedings either live on BBC One or via live screenings in nearby St James’s Park or Green Park.
 

 

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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.