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'Landmark' animal welfare strategy launches
french bulldog
"Brambell's report set in motion the now thriving field of animal welfare science - determining how animals perceive the world, and what they need and want from their perspectives."
Framework aims to help vets to promote welfare

A new animal welfare strategy launched by the BVA promises to help support vets as the advocates of animal welfare at individual, community and political levels.

Speaking at the annual London dinner yesterday (3 February), BVA president Sean Wensley said the strategy "sends a clear signal that the veterinary profession is, and will continue to be, a considerable force for good, for animals and for an increasingly compassionate society, in the years to come."

Over 50 years on from the Brambell Report (1965) and 10 years since the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act (2006), the field of animal welfare science is growing.

Increasingly, society expects the veterinary profession to lead debate and reflect new knowledge in their policies and practices.

"Brambell's report set in motion the now thriving field of animal welfare science - determining how animals perceive the world, and what they need and want from their perspectives," Mr Wensley added.

"In light of this new scientific understanding, society is increasingly examining how we ought to use and treat animals."

After an 18 month consultation, the BVA has released its strategy, which includes six priority areas for future action:

Animal welfare assessment - Promoting and applying tools for assessment, sharing research and publicising the importance of animal sentience to the profession

Ethics - Developing guidance, discussions and CPD to assist with ethical decision making, for example, balancing duties to animals, clients and employees

Legislation - Providing guidance and support on animal welfare legislation and its practical uses, including advice on reporting suspected animal welfare breaches such as non-accidental injuries

Advocacy - Reaching a consensus on the ways in which veterinary professionals feel it's appropriate to campaign for animal welfare improvements

Education - Assessing the delivery of animal welfare science, ethics and law, to undergraduates during the Day One Competences and Professional Development Phase

International - Forming partnerships with international vets and animal welfare organisations and promoting role and status of sentient animals


Read the full strategy here: http://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/Ethics_and_welfare/BVA-animal-welfare-strategy-feb-2016.pdf

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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.