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Veterinary mental health charity seeking new trustee
Vetlife provides support for all manner of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug misuse and eating disorders.

Vets passionate about supporting others encouraged to apply

Vetlife, a UK mental health charity which provides support to the veterinary community is looking to appoint a new trustee to sit on its board. Trustees are expected to be ambassadors for the charity, and are presented with a unique opportunity to help shape the vital work of this organisation.

The charity provides support through three services: Vetlife Helpline, Vetlife Health Support and Vetlife Financial Support. All of these services are free, and teams can provide advice on all manner of mental health issues including: stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug misuse and eating disorders.

Independent of all other veterinary organisations, the charity is currently managed by a board of 11 elected trustees, all of whom are veterinary surgeons. Anyone wishing to become a trustee must first be a Vetlife member.

The role requires a considerable time commitment, along with attendance of four board meetings per year in London. Vetlife also employs a small team of staff, so trustees will often be asked to carry out operational as well as strategic work.

Vetlife trustee Danny Chambers said: “Given the unique challenges facing veterinary professionals it is vital that the mental health support is delivered by people who understand the specific issues facing those working within the veterinary industry.

“This is why Vetlife is so important. We are a mental health charity run by the veterinary community, for the veterinary community. Being a trustee of this charity is a very hands-on role, where you get to influence all aspects of the charity’s work. If you want to help support your friends and colleagues, this is a great and fulfilling way to give back to the profession.”

The deadline for submissions is 20 January 2020, with interviews being held in London on 3 February 2020.

Further information and the application form can be found on the Vetlife website.

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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.