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Knitting Donkeys for Charity
Pat Whiting from Bristol made a special visit to the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary earlier this month to donate 44 knitted donkeys, beautifully crafted in all shapes and sizes, which the charity will now sell to raise funds for its worldwide work.

Pat and husband John were driven to Sidmouth by daughter Pauline, to hand over the mini herd of woolly donkeys and to spend the afternoon visiting their favourite residents. Pat’s knitted donkeys are so popular that one was sold as she was handing them over to our Fundraising Team!
 
Pat said “I have been knitting donkeys for the last three years; I fell in love with donkeys after being given an adoption donkey as a Christmas present and when I came to visit the Sanctuary, I thought these dear donkeys are adorable. When I heard I could help the donkeys by knitting them, I thought this was meant to be, as I have had five strokes and my doctor kept telling me to find something therapeutic to do. I don’t need to follow a pattern anymore because I have knitted 125 in total.”
 
Pat presented the donkeys to Ruth Burrough, from the Community Fundraising Department, Ruth said: “Pat has made a very kind gesture, and we are so grateful to her for taking the time to provide us with all these knitted donkeys, which we can sell and raise much needed funds to help donkeys around the world. Our work is funded entirely by donations, so we are always delighted to hear from new knitters, please do contact us if you would like us to send you a pattern.”
 
In these difficult economic times, the charity is not alone in feeling the financial squeeze and is affected by the increase in donkeys being relinquished into its care each month.  Any donation, no matter how small, is always gratefully received. For further information about The Donkey Sanctuary or if you would like a knitting pattern please call 01395 578222 or visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
 

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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.