Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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

Click here for more...
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.