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National Pet Month gets underway
The theme of this year's event is Pets and People: Caring for Each Other.
Event will focus on the five pet welfare needs. 

As National Pet Month gets underway (April 1 – May 3), the National Office for Animal Health (NOAH) is calling on veterinary professionals to support each other as the nation slowly eases out of lockdown. 

This year’s campaign focuses on the five animal welfare needs and the physical and mental health benefits of pets, as well as the tireless work of the veterinary profession throughout the pandemic. 

NOAH chief executive, Dawn Howard, said: “In these challenging times, it’s so important for us to support each other as well as pet owners and the animals in our care. 

“Focusing on the five pet welfare needs of Companionship, Behaviour, Diet, Health and Environment, the positive impact of pets on our health and the dedication of our veterinary colleagues, and other pet professionals is a firm foundation for our campaign.”

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Pets and People: Caring for Each Other’ - and practices are being urged to share the hashtags #NationalPetMonth21 or #NPM21 on their social media posts, tagging National Pet Month and other relevant organisations. 

The campaign will explore the unique challenges of returning to work, including tips on developing pet-friendly office policies. With pet obesity on the rise, organisers will also provide advice and support to ensure pets are eating well throughout their lifetimes. 

Vaccinations, worming, and other vital care from veterinary professionals will go under the spotlight, with tips and advice for owners to help keep their animals happy and healthy. 

The final week of National Pet Month will highlight efforts to change policy and make pet-friendly rental accommodation the norm, as well as offer advice to new and young pet owners who might be struggling.

A National Pet Month spokesperson said: “National Pet Month is all about collaboration and engagement – working together to celebrate our pets and make their lives better. If you’re planning on creating social content around these five key areas, please tag us in on social media so we can spread the responsible pet ownership message together.”

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.