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Blue Cross calls on volunteers to help foster small animals
Blue Cross in Newport currently has a waiting list of 20 guinea pigs and rabbits.

Charity desperately seeking help for rabbits and guinea pigs

Animal charity Blue Cross in Newport is seeking people to help foster homeless small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. 


The organisations' Willenhall Street centre currently has a waiting list of 20 guinea pigs and rabbits, all in desperate need of a new home. But the unit doesn’t have any on-site accommodation, so is desperately seeking volunteers to foster the animals until a permanent placement can be found.


Blue Cross runs a Home Direct scheme that allows small animals to be re-homed from their current place of residence. However, the isn’t always possible for owners who need to find urgent accommodation for their pet. 


One volunteer who is currently fostering two baby rabbits is 32-year-old Laura Drummond. Laura, who saw the centre’s plea for foster carers on Facebook, said that she would urge any animal lover to follow in her footsteps.

“I work from home and have plenty of space and by fostering you feel like you’re making a real difference and get lots of support from the unit’s team.

“Currently I’m fostering some adorable three-month-old rabbits called Binky and Hopper who will be difficult to let go for sure but it’s just so rewarding to see animals I’ve helped head off to a loving new home, and I know there’s always more waiting to take their place in my home.”


Blue Cross Newport centre manager said: “We desperately need more foster carers like Laura to help us to help more small animals in the area. We currently only have four volunteers who can help us and they are already caring for small animals for us.

“Our volunteer foster carers provide a temporary home and care for our animals until we can find loving forever homes for them. They can also help many small animals to grow in confidence and help us to understand the kind of forever home we need to find for them.”

Blue Cross will cover the costs associated with the care of looking after a small pet, including food and veterinary treatment, as well as provide all of the equipment volunteers will need. Volunteers are required to have space for a small pet and time to feed, clean and socialise the animals each day.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can find out more at www.bluecross.org.uk/volunteer or they can call the rehoming and advice unit on 0300 7771590.

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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.