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Battersea scoops prestigious volunteering award
More than 900 people are currently signed up to Battersea's Volunteering, Fostering and Communities programme.
Charity wins Investing in Volunteers Award for the second time. 

Staff and volunteers at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are celebrating after winning a prestigious volunteer management award for the second time.

The charity scooped the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) Award – the gold standard for good practice in volunteer management - for its Volunteering, Fostering and Communities Programme.

Charlotte Fielder, head of Volunteering, Fostering and Communities at Battersea, said: “We are thrilled to be reaccredited as it represents the hard work of the Volunteering, Fostering and Communities teams in creating and maintaining a programme that enables Battersea to be here for every dog and cat. 

“It also honours the contribution made by our volunteers, foster carers and community rehoming volunteers, who have shown such support during the reaccreditation process – and it’s particularly important to us that their hard work is recognised following the challenges 2020 placed on volunteering across the charity sector.” 

Currently, more than 900 people are signed up to Battersea's Volunteering, Fostering and Communities Programme in roles including administration, fundraising support and animal care.

After first receiving volunteer accreditation status in 2018, Battersea was keen to participate in the assessment process again to ensure that it is still offering a high-quality scheme. A key part of the assessment process is feedback from volunteers. 

Peter Laurie, Battersea’s interim chief executive, was interviewed by the external assessor. He says: “I was pleased to be invited to speak with the assessor and share my observations on how our volunteer programme is led, managed and delivered.

“I take pride in the way in which Battersea recruits and supports all volunteers on their volunteering journey and I see the IiV quality standard as a real badge of honour. Our volunteers give so much to Battersea and this accreditation reflects our commitment to giving volunteers a quality experience, too.”

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.