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Extra Mural Studies award winners
Students rewarded by national rehoming charities

Cats Protection and Dogs Trust have announced the winners of the Veterinary Student Extra Mural Studies (EMS) awards.

Now in their second year, the awards are part of a scheme that enables veterinary students to gain hands-on work experience at the charities.

Those that submit a report after are then entered into the EMS awards, to help elevate their studies and win a £500 prize.

Cats Protection chose Mary Fletcher from Nottingham as its winner, for her report titled "Environmental enrichment options for cats in the care of rescue/rehoming organisations".

The charity's finalists were Miriam Kaltz from Cambridge Veterinary School, Troy Jackson from the Royal Veterinary College and Freja Dunnet from Bristol Veterinary School.

Meanwhile, Richard Hesketh was selected as Dogs Trust's winner for his report "Adapting to a kennels environment".

Gloria Feltham, Rachel Ottridge and Susan Price were the charity's finalists.

"I am delighted by the incredible amount of positive feedback from the participations of this year's EMS placements," commented
Paula Boyden, veterinary director at Dogs Trust.

"The initiative is a great opportunity for vet students to focus not only on clinical aspects of veterinary work, but the behavioural side too."

On behalf of Cats Protection, Maggie Roberts, director of veterinary services, said: "The scheme is great as it gives the students exposure to shelter medicine and more experience of feline welfare issues.

"I hope the experience will be useful to [the students] in their future careers."

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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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.