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Charity workers and scientists honoured by the Queen
obe
Two charity workers received MBEs for services to animal welfare.
Recipients of the Queen's New Year's Honours revealed

Numerous charity workers and scientists have been recognised for services to animal health and welfare in the Queen's New Year's Honours 2015, including Professor Venugopal Nair - head of the Avian Viral Diseases Programme at the Pirbright Institute.

Professor Nair was awarded an OBE for his involvement with the programme, which is currently focused on viruses that cause avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and Marek's disease. Working in partnership with vaccine producers, the project aims to develop more effective vaccines.

The founder of The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton was one of two charity workers to receive an MBE - Dorothy Beeson was recognised for her work rescuing and rehabilitating swans.

Anne Owen, founder of the North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre also received an MBE for services to animal health and welfare.

Among those to receive BEMs were:
  • Valerie Margaret Allen - for voluntary services to Rider and Equine Safety
  • Ruth Boyes - for services to the charity Pets as Therapy
  • Lance Cruse - for services to the protection of endangered species in the course of his work as a Border Force officer
  • Patricia Anne Dobbin and Louise Greer - for services to the charity Riding for the Disabled
  • Elizabeth Edwards, a research scientist at the John Innes Centre and volunteer for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust - for services to the environment and the public understanding of science
  • Trevor Llewellyn Richards, lately capital project liaison officer at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine - for services to biomedical research and the welfare of animals in research

 

Image Wikimedia Commons/Robert Pummel/CC BY 2.5

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.