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Vets and VNs form choir for sick and injured pets
The Blue Cross choir has been entertaining listeners on BBC Radio Humberside and was planning a performance in Cleethorpes.

The Blue Cross ensemble sings to lift spirits on difficult days.

Animal charity Blue Cross has formed a choir to raise money for sick and injured pets this Christmas.

Vets, vet nurses, staff and volunteers of the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Grimsby set up the choir to ease stress and lift spirits on difficult days in the veterinary world.

Not long ago, the team performed on BBC Radio Humberside, and they look forward to singing to more people as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Most recently, the group has been singing together during lunch breaks in preparation for a performance in Cleethorpes to raise funds for animals in need, whose owners may not be able to afford private veterinary care. 

Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions meant the event had to be cancelled, but that hasn’t stifled the group’s enthusiasm.

“We started our Blue Cross choir with staff and volunteers singing along together to lift our spirits on difficult days within the veterinary world and found that we actually really enjoy it,” commented Natalie Everett, deputy nurse manager at Blue Cross in Grimsby. 

“We’ve been practising Christmas Carols, and we thought we would take the plunge and make our first public appearance and raise some vital pounds towards the sick and injured pets we care for and helping their loving owners who would otherwise not be able to afford vet care for their pets.” 

Although the event could not go ahead, pet lovers can still help the animals at Grimsby by donating via the Blue Cross website. The group has also put together a festive veterinary rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, which you can watch below.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.