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Volunteers join RSPCA’s Big Help Out campaign
'Wildlife Friends' pledge their time on and before 8 May to complete small tasks to support, nurture and protect wildlife.
The initiative invites people to pledge their time to help local wildlife.

To mark the King’s Coronation, volunteers are dedicating time to support the wildlife in their local area as part of the RSPCA’s Big Help Out campaign.

So far, more than 500 people have signed up for the campaign which was launched on 20 March. By getting involved in the initiative, 'Wildlife Friends' pledge their time on and before 8 May to complete small tasks to support, nurture and protect the wildlife in their local or wider community.

Volunteers are encouraged to take part in activities such as organising a litter pick, putting food out for hedgehogs, building nest boxes for wild animals and rewilding gardens.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “We are recruiting ‘Wildlife Friends’ to give people the chance to join thousands of others making a difference at the Big Help Out on May 8.

“We all share our neighbourhoods with wonderful wildlife and we need to protect them - so by becoming an RSPCA Wildlife Friend, animal lovers can join with their community to make a safe space for the animals who share our world.”

RSPCA head of volunteering Brian Reeves added: “We can all do our bit for animals and ‘Wildlife Friends’ is great for anyone who can spare a few minutes or a couple of hours. These things will all make a huge difference for wild animals, and their welfare - and we’re hoping even more amazing volunteers join us as part of the Big Help Out between now and May 8.”

Those interested in getting involved with The Big Help Out, can find more information on the RSPCA’s website.

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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.