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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th March 2020
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New initiative to help vets take action against strangles
The launch of the new pledge coincides with the announcement of Strangles Awareness Week.

Alliance aims to end stigma around infection

A new online pledge, launched today at the National Equine Forum, will allow veterinary surgeons and professionals who work with horses to show their commitment to tackling the stigma that surrounds strangles.

The Vets & Professionals Pledge is a voluntary commitment to normalising discussion of strangles with clients and directing them to further advice and guidance. As well as emphasising the importance of biosecurity and good hygiene practices.

This joins the other existing pledges for yard managers and horse owners, launched by Redwings Horse Sanctuary in November 2018, which now have over 1,080 sign-ups.

Those who pledge will receive:

  • a certificate in recognition of their support
  • regular emails offering support and guidance on maintaining their pledge
  • research and information on the disease and its outbreaks
  • relevant announcements from other strangles-related initiatives in the UK.

Andie Vilela, Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s campaigns manager, said: “We know that when horse owners want advice about Strangles, they often look towards a vet or a trusted professional. With the launch of this new Pledge, we hope to provide them with the additional tools they need to give that vital support for their clients and maximise their influence to prompt more conversations around biosecurity so we can tackle this disabling stigma.”

The launch of the pledge coincides with the announcement of Strangles Awareness Week – a new national week of action created by multiple equine-focused organisations including Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the Animal Health Trust, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the British Horse Society.

Strangles Awareness Week will take place from 4-10 May 2020 and will encourage owners and professionals to share their knowledge and experiences through a series of online activities and events.

For further information about either the pledges or Strangles Awareness Week, please visit the Stamp Out Strangles webpage.

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BEVA gives vets access to free membership for three months

News Story 1
 BEVA has announced that it is cutting membership renewal charges for the next three months in order to support all veterinary professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Memberships for all existing BEVA members will be extended until 30 June 2020. Veterinary professionals who are not members of BEVA will also be able to sign up for a free membership until 30 June 2020.

BEVA president Tim Mair said: "In this extraordinary time of global crisis our profession, as with many industries, is under immense pressure. By offering free membership we are giving equine vets easy access to a wealth of supportive resources and online CPD."

To sign up please visit the BEVA website.

Image (c) BEVA. 

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LOVE Gorgie Farm seeking veterinary volunteers

LOVE Gorgie Farm in Edinburgh is looking for people with veterinary and animal care experience, who would be interested in volunteering to help care for its animals during these difficult times.

The community-owned charity farm opened to the public only last month, but decided to close temporarily amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Its three-person team is working to care for the animals behind the scenes and the farm is now operating as a food bank for the public, delivering free breakfasts to local school children.

In an effort to build a contingency plan to secure the welfare of its animals, LOVE Gorgie Farm is looking for volunteers who would be able to step in if any team members fell sick or needed to self-isolate.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact gorgie@l-o-v-e.org.uk