Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Mayhew vets lend support to the homeless
Mayhew vets and animal welfare officers gave the dogs light-up safety collars and waterproof jackets.
Charity teams up with Crisis to offer shelter and veterinary care 

Vets from Mayhew animal home lent their support to homeless charity Crisis over the Christmas period by providing essential items and veterinary care.

For more than 17 years, Mayhew has been a vital part of Crisis at Christmas - a project that offers homeless people and their animals temporary shelter over the Christmas season.

During this time, homeless people can bring their dogs into specially built, temporary kennels. Each dog is given its own pen and plenty of bedding while the owners are cared for by Crisis volunteers.

Mayhew vets and animal welfare officers gave the dogs a thorough health check and administered flea and worming treatments. They also gave the dogs food, treats, light-up safety collars and waterproof jackets.

Mayhew vet Dr Emma Robinson said: “This is a great opportunity for the owners to make sure their dog undergoes a health check. We are able to identify and monitor ongoing health issues and we can also give the dogs the preventative veterinary care that they need.

“It’s been an amazing experience for me and I hope I can do it all again next year.”

Some of the patients this year included nine-year-old Survivor, who was actually born at Crisis at Christmas nine years ago, and Leo, a 15-week-old puppy.

Mayhew’s animal welfare officer, AJ Ford, added: “We work with the homeless and their dogs all year round and we are honoured to help and support Crisis at Christmas again this year.

“We can detect early on any health issues that the dogs may have so that we can refer them to our on-site Vet Clinic. We also offer free neutering and flea and worming treatments. We strive to help and support vulnerable people in need with their pets and ultimately keep the owner and animal together.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.