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BSAVA donation to fund Vetlife support services
Cal Major will be raising funds for Vetlife later this month in memory of her best friend.

Funding will help meet increased need for charity’s helpline 

Mental health charity Vetlife has received £20,000 from the BSAVA to help meet the increasing demand for its services.

Vetlife provides emotional, financial and mental health support to the veterinary community through its 24/7 phone and email helplines. In recent years, however, the charity says that it has received a fivefold increase in contacts.

“[The increase] inevitably leads to greater pressure on our charity’s resources,” said Vetlife honorary treasurer Graham Dick. “This is a most welcome contribution from BSAVA, which will help Vetlife to maintain and improve its services in the face of ever-increasing demand.”

BSAVA senior vice president John Chitty said: “Vetlife makes a massive contribution to our profession and it is important to say just how much we appreciate what they do. Now, more than ever, the profession needs this kind of support and BSAVA believes this donation will help to meet the increased need.”

The donation comes as Paddle Against Plastic founder Cal Major gets set to begin an ambitious Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) challenge from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise funds for Vetlife.

Cal spoke at BSAVA Congress in April to raise awareness of plastic pollution and was joined by veterinary supporters on the canals during the event. The paddle takes place this month in memory of Cal’s best friend, who lost her battle with depression at the end of last year.

Image (C) BSAVA

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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.