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Dogs Trust scoops award for puppy smuggling campaign
The Puppy Smuggling Taskforce calls on MPs to support Dogs Trust in its efforts to prevent the illegal importation of puppies into the UK.
Charity wins 'Best Animal Welfare Campaign' in Parliamentary Charity Awards 2021.

Dogs Trust has won a prestigious award for a second year running for its ongoing work tackling the issue of puppy smuggling.

The national charity scooped first prize in the Savanta ComRes Parliamentary Charity Awards 2021 for 'Best Animal Welfare Campaign'. The awards pay recognition to charities that lead their field in communicating with parliamentarians across eight categories. 

Specifically, Dogs Trust received the award for its Puppy Smuggling Taskforce - a campaign that calls on MPs to support efforts to prevent the illegal importation of puppies into the UK. Since it launched in October 2020, the campaign has garnered the support of more than 50 MPs from across the political spectrum.

Alongside this campaign, Dogs Trust also launched its fifth Puppy Smuggling investigative report, revealing new research into online puppy advertisements and outlining what the Government can do to end the suffering of smuggled dogs.  

Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won an award in such a prestigious category. Given that these are the only Parliamentary awards which are voted for by MPs themselves, our success really is testament to the hard work of the team and charity as a whole.

“We faced tough competition, so it’s fantastic to get recognition for our longstanding work – especially during a very difficult year - on putting an end to the cruel puppy smuggling trade and many other issues to ensure the welfare of dogs is always taken into consideration by policymakers.”

“We’ll continue our political work across the UK and are looking forward to the awards next year already!”

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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.