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RCVS to form public advisory group
RCVS Council agreed to set up new Public Advisory Group at September meeting.

Group will help the College develop policy and improve communications.

The RCVS has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the College better understand the issues currently affecting the public.

During its September meeting, RCVS Council voted to approve the terms of the new Public Advisory Group (PAG), which will also help the college develop policy and to test messaging and communications to ensure they are understandable. 

The PAG will be chaired by a member of RCVS Council and will have a minimum pool of 30 members, comprising a mix of companion animal, equine and production animal owners and keepers. Council members also approved a draft invitation for application for animal owners/keepers who would like to join the PAG. 

The meeting took place at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, 8 September. Opening proceedings, RCVS president Melissa Donald welcomed elected members Olivia Cook MRCVS and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS to their first full Council meeting.

Council also agreed on amendments to the policy governing the handling of complaints about Council, and committee members discussed a potential new policy around the RCVS bringing forward private prosecutions for breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

On the VSA, Council discussed potential advantages, disadvantages and costs of private prosecutions, and voted for a further paper setting out a draft policy on private prosecutions.

The full agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at rcvs.org.uk

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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.