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Volunteer VNs Needed for Homeless Animal Care
Veterinary Nurses are being called upon to help the animals of the homeless.

Crisis, a charity devoted to caring for the nation's single homeless, is calling for Veterinary Nurses and other staff in the veterinary sector to help with client's dogs over the Christmas period.

The 'Crisis at Christmas' drive is running nine temporary centres in London from December 23 to December 30 in which the capital's homeless can get a hot meal, health checks and housing advice. A call for veterinary volunteers has been put out, as Crisis also offers kennelling and veterinary check-ups for their client's dogs.

The charity is asking for volunteers with professional experience of dog care and handling. A Crisis spokesman said “We would welcome anyone with these skills, especially VNs.”

Rob Lane, Crisis' Dog Service Organiser, first volunteered in Christmas 2004. He signed up for five shifts as a general volunteer at the shelter, but quickly found that the client's dogs won his heart.

“Halfway through my third shift I went to help out in the dogs' area and thought it was really enjoyable, so I stayed there for my remaining shifts'” Rob said.

“I liked it so much that I took over as service organiser the following year. I'm hooked.'

To volunteer for Crisis at Christmas or to find out more, visit their 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.