New rules came into force in England on Saturday (8 August) making it mandatory for clients to wear a face covering in veterinary practices.

The rules, which also apply to cinemas, museums and places of worship, follow a recent spike in coronavirus cases. All clients in England must now wear a face covering when inside a veterinary practice unless they are exempt for age, health or equality reasons.

Dog walkers across the globe are being encouraged to get involved with the Big Dog Walk 2020 and raise much-needed funds for canine-related charities.

This year the event takes place virtually across September, with dog walkers getting out and about in their own communities and completing their walks independently.

The event is free to join and all money raised will go towards charities that support dogs in need, including Mayhew, Pets as Therapy and Streetvet. With support from the likes of Gemma Atkinson and Michaela Strachan, organisers aim to cover a total distance of 40,075- the circumference of the earth.

For more information about the event, and to pledge a distance, visit the World Big Dog Walk website.

A new 'DoggyLottery' to raise funds for dog rescue centres in the UK will launch on Saturday (4 July). Every four weeks, five different rescue centres will be connected to the lottery, providing much-needed funds - particularly during COVID-19 - and providing vital online exposure.

A weekly game costs £1.50 and entrants will have the chance of being one of 20 guaranteed winners. A massive 60 per cent of the raised funds will go towards the dog rescue centres, more than double that donated by leading lottery companies to charitable causes.

To find out more and play the lottery, visit www.doggylottery.co.uk

Insurance provider Petplan has announced its 'first-ever' Pet Awards, which will recognise exceptional pets who enrich the lives of their owners.

Nominations are now open for the following awards: 'Hero Pet of the Year', 'Survivor Pet of the Year', 'Rescue Pet of the Year', 'Companion Pet of the Year' and 'Entertainer Pet of the Year'. The competition is particularly timely, given that many pets have been supporting their owners through lockdown.

The five winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges and will each receive a hamper of goodies worth 400. For more information and to nominate a pet, visit the Petplan website.

Registration has opened for the ISFM International Feline Congress, the world's first free virtual feline congress for vets, veterinary nurses and technicians.

The congress starts on Saturday, 8th August for three days of lectures and interactive events, with the content remaining on-demand until 11 September. Topics will cover areas of practical interest for veterinary professionals, including ethics, behaviour, critical care and pain assessment.

Full details about the congress, together with speaker information and details of how to register, can be found on the ISFM website.

Has someone in your practice team gone above and beyond to make your workplace a positive one during the coronavirus pandemic? Then why not nominate them for a 2020 Practice Wellbeing Star!

The joint RCVS Mind Matters Initiative/SPVS Practice Wellbeing Star nominations recognise individuals who have held up morale during a time when practices are facing unprecedented staffing and financial issues.

Nominees receive a certificate in recognition of their colleagues' appreciation of their achievements and will be entered into the prize draw for a pair of tickets to attend the joint SPVS and Veterinary Management Group Congress in January 2021.