Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Leading vets and scientists appointed to AWF board of trustees
From L to R: Justine Shotton, Diedre Carson, Charlotte Burn, Romain Pizzi.

Experts will encourage debate around animal welfare issues

Veterinary charity Animal Welfare Foundation has appointed four of the UK’s leading veterinary surgeons and animal welfare scientists to its board of trustees.

Joining nine other experts on the board are zoo animal and wildlife specialists, Romain Pizzi and Justine Shotton; equine vet Deidre Carson; and biologist Charlotte Burn. Trustees play a key role in ensuring that AWF continues to improve on animal welfare by supporting veterinary education, funding research and encouraging debate animal welfare issues.

Welcoming the new trustees, AWF Chair of Trustees Chris Laurence said: “I am delighted to welcome Romain, Justine, Deidre and Charlotte to the AWF board. They bring with them an enormous range of knowledge, skills and expertise, which will be critical to helping us advance our mission and continue to fund quality research, support veterinary education and encourage debate on animal welfare issues.”

Former British Equine Veterinary Association president Deidre Carson commented: “I am passionate about animal welfare, conservation and biodiversity and believe that vets should be leading the way in improving the way animals and our environment are managed.  I am looking forward to working with other enthusiastic and knowledgeable people to progress the work of AWF and to see the results of those efforts.”

Dr Shotton, veterinary services manager at Marwell Zoo, said: “I believe that AWF can make a real and positive difference to the lives of millions of animals, and I want to be a part of that. I’m looking forward to being able to contribute my skills and experience to help progress our understanding of animals to better improve their welfare. I’m also looking forward to engaging in debate around animal welfare issues in order to identify ways forward with initially complex and challenging issues.”

Image (C) AWF.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.