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Fresh calls to allow pets in care homes
elderly woman with cat
Estimates suggest more than 140,000 elderly people who move into care homes or sheltered housing are forced to relinquish their pets each year. (stock photo)
Rallies held to help 87-year-old keep his dog
 
Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition urging a Scottish care home to reverse its decision to evict an 87-year-old man unless he relinquishes his dog.

Rallies were held over the weekend (12 February) in Westminster and Edinburgh in protest against Mead Medical Services Ltd and Burnfoot Hall management.

Burnfoot Hall care home in Ecclefechan served Bob Harvey, 87, will a formal notice requiring him to remove his schnauzer dog Darkie by 14 February, or face eviction on 19 April. A petition set up by his close friend Tracey Streit has received nearly 240,000 signatures. A JustGiving page aiming to raise £150,000 for Bob has so far raised just under £30,000.

Bob moved into the care home with his wife nearly four years ago, on the condition that they could keep their dog Darkie. Sadly Bob’s wife was suffering from a terminal illness and died two years ago.

Burnfoot Hall care home reportedly says Darkie is causing trouble and plans are in place to change its policy on pets. Bob has to undergo dialysis three times a week and the requirement to part with his dog has left him “heartbroken, unable to eat or sleep”, according to the petition letter.

Estimates suggest more than 140,000 elderly people who move into care homes or sheltered housing are forced to relinquish their pets each year. Of these, many fail to find new owners and are euthanised. Research shows many owners show visible signs of distress on relinquishing their pets. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.