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IVC Group acquires Vets Now
Vets Now will operate as an independent part of the IVC Group.
Emergency clinics to complement referral strategy 

Independent Vet Care has announced that Vets Now is to join its group later this month.

Vets Now will operate as an independent part of the IVC Group, with the current operating board led by CEO Mark Ross. The company’s head office will remain in Dunfermline, Fife, and there will be no charge for practices using the Vets Now service.

IVC Group chief executive David Hillier said: “We are delighted that Vets Now is joining the group. It is an exceptional business with a reputation for clinical quality and a key partner to much of the profession in the UK, providing emergency services at nights, weekends and bank holidays and operating from 58 sites nationwide.

“The company’s three 24/7 emergency and specialty hospitals will also complement our inter-company referral strategy to deliver a complete veterinary care solution.”

Vets Now chief executive Mark Ross added: “IVC is an exceptionally good fit for us. They have a reputation for allowing vet businesses to get on with what they do best and, importantly we will continue to operate autonomously.

“Our focus will be to continue providing the same great partnerships with all the UK independent veterinary practices and corporate groups we work with today.”

He added: “Our business has gone from strength-to-strength in a relatively short period of time, which is testament to our incredible team of over 1000 staff working up and down the country, caring for pets at the time they need it most. We’re looking forward to continuing our high levels of service and continuing to expand and evolve our business.”

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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

Click here for more...
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.