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Stickers to inspire children about animal welfare
The welfare stickers teach children about the five animal welfare needs.

Resource introduces principles of responsible ownership

The Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition has launched a set of stickers to inspire children about animal welfare. The move comes as new figures show 85 per cent of school children have never heard of the five welfare needs.

Launched to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the Animal Welfare Act, the stickers introduce the principles of responsible ownership. BVA hopes that by teaching children about the five welfare needs, they will discuss this with their family and friends.

“Year on year, irresponsible ownership and lack of owner understanding for pets’ needs comes out in vets’ top three concerns,” commented BVA president John Fishwick. “Educating children and young adults about the five welfare needs of animals is an invaluable step towards ensuring that the next generation not only values the human-animal bond but is aware of its responsibilities towards pets.”

BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey showed that primary school is the age when most vets decide they want to enter the profession. But the PDSA’s Animal Wellbeing report revealed that only a quarter of children have been taught how to care for pets.

“We hope that by using these stickers and holding sessions on animal welfare at school, local groups or in practice will translate to happy pet owners and, indeed, happy healthy pets,” Mr Fishwick added.

The Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition includes the BVA, the BVNA, BSAVA, BVZS, Blue Cross, PDSA and RSPCA. To order a set of five welfare stickers for free, email media@bva.co.uk with the requested amount (max 10 sheets) and a postal address. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.