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Vets train for Charity Challenge
More than 200 participants preparing for competition

Fifty teams of more than 200 participants are in training to compete in this year's Veterinary Charity Challenge (VCC), taking place on Saturday, September 28 at Pershore College in Worcestershire.

Competitors will spend the day participating in a variety of challenges, including walking, running, cycling, kayaking and orienteering. They will also have the opportunity to compete in some mental challenges too.

“We are training hard. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, but this challenge is really helping us to build as a team,” commented Lisa Cooper from team "Goddard Growlers".

Summing up the value of the challenge to practices, Anne of Park Vets in Sidcup said: “We find that the build-up is just as important as the event, since working towards a specific goal outside of work helps with the work/life balance and provides a real sense of achievement on the day.”

Teams will be raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, SPANA and Animals Asia. Together they are hoping to raise more than the £21,000 that was raised for Hounds for Heroes, SPANA and Pet Blood Bank last year.

“The event has attracted more than twice the number of teams than last year," added Jason Rogers from BCF, one of the companies sponsoring the challenge. "We’re really looking forward to the day and training hard.”

As a thank you for the money raised in 2012, Hounds for Heroes have given VCC the opportunity to name a puppy for their next squadron of trainees. There will be a voting poll on the VCC Facebook page to make the final choice from the 50 names that have been suggested.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.