Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Zoetis chief medical officer advocates for the profession
Dr McFarland has dedicated his career to advocating for the health and well-being of animals.

Dr Mike McFarland launches documentary series to mark World Veterinary Day. 

A vet is on a mission to raise awareness of the ways veterinary professionals can improve the world by advancing animal care.

Speaking ahead of World Veterinary Day (30 April), Dr Mike McFarland, global chief medical offer at Zoetis, highlighted the opportunity to recognise the growing importance of veterinary professionals and their pivotal role in protecting public health. 

“When people think of their veterinarian, they think of that person as the caretaker of their animal’s health. But the stakes are much higher than that,” he said. “Veterinarians play a critical role in providing for your animal’s health, your family’s health, your community’s health and our global public health.” 

A veterinary surgeon for more than 35 years, Dr McFarland has dedicated his career to advocating for the health and well-being of animals and the veterinary professionals who care for them. 

He helped lead Zoetis emergency responses to the Louisiana floods, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and other major crises. He is also the co-creator and executive sponsor of the Zoetis K-9 Courage Programme, which helps retired military and police dogs with annual health care costs at veterinary clinics. 

To honour the importance of veterinary professionals, Zoetis has launched a new minidocumentary series called FutureBound.

The series will follow Dr McFarland as he visits veterinary experts to showcase impactful stories of veterinary care transformation, the influence of the human-animal bond on animal care, and its positive effect on the health and well-being of animals and those who care for them. 

The first of the two videos are available at zoetis.com/drmike

Image (C) Zoetis.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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

Click here for more...
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.