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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th April 2024
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

Support helps Ukraine animal shelters make it through winter
“We're very happy that this winter we were able to scale up our aid effort” – Yuriy Tokarski.
Over 150 tonnes of pet food distributed alongside heaters and generators.

The U-Hearts Foundation has revealed that it managed to provide more than 150 tonnes of pet food and other crucial supplies to help animal shelters in Ukraine during the winter.

Working with partner organisations from around the world, U-Hearts distributed 156.57 tonnes of pet food to animal shelters and rescue centres across Ukraine between December 2023 and February 2024.

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, shelters in Ukraine have had to take in thousands of animal that have been abandoned or separated from their families as civilians flee the fighting.

Russian attacks can make it difficult to keep these animals safe, fed and warm, and the cold winters of Ukraine present an additional challenge for those caring for animals. As well as providing food, U-Hearts helped run a series of initiatives to support shelters with other crucial supplies during the winter.

The ‘Warm Paws and Hearts’ initiative provided 33 electric heaters and five generators to 25 shelters across Ukraine, as well as 111 pet houses, while ‘Operation Warm Paws’ saw the delivery of 15 heaters to seven regions in Ukraine. A bed and blankets appeal in the UK also collected 300 blankets which were distributed to shelters.

Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of the U-Hearts Foundation, said: “We're very happy that this winter we were able to scale up our aid effort. By analysing past experiences and consulting with shelters about their needs, we concentrated our efforts on sourcing and providing them with the necessary support.

“None of this would have been possible without the generosity of those who donated funds or goods, for example warm blankets, as well as without our friends and partners who helped to purchase everything that was needed!”

Donations to U-Hearts can be made via its website.

Image © U-Hearts

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.