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

Vet completes 250 mile walk for International Cat Care
Race for Cats
Ed in full stride on his 'Race for Cats'
Seventy-four-year-old Ed has a long history of fundraising for charities

To celebrate 50 years in practice, Ed Shillabeer, a vet from the Harwell Veterinary Group, completed the equivalent of 10 marathons in a week by race walking over 250 miles from his home town in Plymouth, to the RCVS in London, to raise funds for International Cat Care.

The 'Race for Cats' started in Plymouth on June 28 and was completed, despite a sprained ankle, at the RCVS on July 4.

Ed's route included Exeter, Taunton, Langford, the International Cat Care headquarters in Tisbury, Kingsclere and finished in London. He called into a number of supporting veterinary practices along the way.

Seventy-four-year-old Ed, a life member of International Cat Care, has a long history of fundraising for charities.

Claire Bessant, chief executive of International Cat Care said: "We very much appreciate the huge effort Ed has made to raise funds for our work that will improve the lives of cats around the world. Many thanks also to everyone who has supported our Race for Cats."

On completing the race, Ed said: "It was a wonderful week of race walking and i hope it will benefit felines everywhere through the work of International Cat Care. Thanks to all who helped me in any way. Give, give, give!"

International Cat Care is a charity founded in 1958 whose aim is to ensure that all cats, owned and unowned, are treated with care, compassion and understanding. For more information on the work of the charity, visit www.icatcare.org

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

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.