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Duchess of Cornwall opens new Battersea facility to help unwanted dogs and puppies
The Duchess of Cornwall's Jack Russell Beth helped her open the new facility on Wednesday.

Royal Patron meets staff at Berkshire centre

Battersea’s Royal Patron, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited the charity's Old Windsor Centre in Berkshire on Wednesday 9 December, to open a new facility designed to help Battersea care for dogs and puppies that have been relinquished by their owners.

This was the second visit Her Royal Highness has made to the Old Windsor Centre since being announced as Royal Patron in 2017. She met with Battersea staff that have been working hard to care for homeless pets across the pandemic.

Her Royal Highness also enjoyed a Battersea Guard of Honour from charity volunteers who have been fostering animals during lockdown.

The Duchess of Cornwall Kennels – which were officially opened by Her Royal Highness during her visit – include a dedicated maternity area, quiet zones and both indoor and outdoor puppy paddocks.

The facility has been specifically designed to help provide the very best care for pets given up by their owners. It will help thousands of puppies just like Ernie – a nine-week-old pug that was rejected by his mother and surrendered to Battersea as a result.

The Duchess of Cornwall met Ernie during her visit and heard his story as well as the happy resolution that he and his brother have now found forever homes.

Claire Horton, chief executive at Battersea said: “We are always thrilled to welcome our wonderful Royal Patron The Duchess of Cornwall to our centres to see first-hand the vital work we are carrying out to help dogs and cats that need our help.

“Today’s visit was also an occasion to officially open our brand-new kennel facilities that will offer some of our most vulnerable dogs the space, comfort, and level of care they desperately need.”

Images (c) Battersea.

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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.