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New Centre for Animal Welfare Education
Professor Elaine Watson, head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
The new Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at the University of Edinburgh will form an integral part of the University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and aims to create a focal point for Animal Welfare Education across the globe.

The Centre, which is being set up with a £2 million donation from the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust, will be a key resource of expertise for animal welfare education. It will engage with politicians and governments with the aim of improving animal welfare and seeking alternatives to the use of animals in research. It will also establish new veterinary courses, collaborating with international partners to improve the understanding of animal welfare issues.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies will offer a certificate, diploma and masters degree courses in animal behaviour and welfare through full time and on-line learning working with partner organisations particularly in developing countries. It will also strengthen the current provision of animal welfare and ethics in veterinary education.

Professor Elaine Watson, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "Improving animal welfare should be one of the main goals of the veterinary profession. The objective of the Centre is to make determined progress towards a situation where all animals are free from distress, suffering and hunger through instruction and training at all levels.

Madame Jeanne Marchig, of the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust.
"The new Centre will also provide a platform for debating the important ethical issues which practitioners are faced with every day in veterinary practice and research.

We are delighted that we have been given the opportunity to set up this important new Centre and about the role it will play in raising awareness of animal welfare globally."

The centre, which will be run by a newly created post of centre director, will be based on the first floor of a new £42 million teaching building for the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and is due to open next year.

Madame Jeanne Marchig, who established the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust in 1989, said: "The centre will provide an important role in education to strive towards improving the quality of life for animals. We know that by debating the issues, raising awareness of concerns and pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable across different borders we can make a positive impact for animal welfare today and in the future both within and outside of the veterinary profession."

The new veterinary teaching building is one of more than 30 projects of the Edinburgh Campaign, which aims to raise £350 million for initiatives across the University. This includes creating new hubs of learning, conserving iconic University buildings and increasing the number of scholarships and bursaries available for students.

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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.