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Mascara wand appeal a huge success
Mascara wands are used to groom the animals.

Wildlife charity has received brushes from all over the world

A wildlife centre's appeal for old mascara brushes to help care for its animals has closed after the charity received ‘more wands than Hogwarts’.

BBC News reports that pigeons and baby rabbits were among the first to benefit from the 'Wands for Wildlife' project at The New Arc Animal Rescue Centre in Abderdeenshire.

The tiny wands are used to groom and care for the animals and are said to work well because the bristles are so close together.

On its Facebook page, New Arc said that it had received hundreds of emails and mascara wands from the world. Kevin Newell, who helps care for the animals at the rescue centre, told BBC Scotland:

“We have been inundated - we have got more wands here than in Hogwarts.
The mascara brushes are cleaned, and we get them ready for the baby season. They are usually orphaned.

"If using on a small rabbit it's fantastic as they are so fine, it removes mites and dust, and once that grooming process is in place it's a bonding thing. It's like parental care. It keeps them clean, happy and healthy."

Wands for Wildlife was first pitched to The New Arc by the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina, which provides urgent care to injured and orphaned wildlife.

New Arc said that it was fantastic to have so much support for wildlife and re-using items destined for landfill. It now hopes to find a secure a recycling facility for the used wands and will post details of where they can be sent.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.