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ADCH and Royal Canin highlight struggling animal rescues
Many animal rescue centres have had to downsize their staffing over the course of the pandemic.
The two companies are raising awareness of the post-lockdown financial struggles in animal welfare.

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), is raising awareness of the struggles that animal rescues still face post-lockdown, due to the pandemic.

Alongside Royal Canin, ADCH is highlighting the financial struggles of animal rescues, animal charities, and pet food banks, which saw their income plummet after COVID-19 restrictions limited fundraising opportunities. 

As a representative of 153 animal rescues and charities from over the UK and Ireland, ADCH surveyed its members three separate times over the course of the pandemic, in order to consider the damage done by COVID-19 on the rescue sector. 

The outcome of the surveys suggested that animal rescue centres were losing up to half of their income throughout the pandemic, and several had funding pressures which led to the loss of staff through downsizing. 

Speaking on how ADCH has helped to prevent these rescues from shutting, ADCH chair Giles Webber said: "We knew from our surveys that rescues were finding it difficult with the closure of shelters and outside fundraising events so ADCH immediately set up a grant system that distributed 54 grants to struggling rescues totalling over £300,000.

“Whilst many organisations had to downsize their staff levels, we are delighted that none so far have closed which is testament to their resilience and the hard work of ADCH."

Royal Canin has also assisted in keeping rescues and pet food banks open, by donating £200,000 of pet food to various places across the UK and Ireland. 

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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.