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Relax with yoga for Mental Health Awareness Week
From yoga to meditation and even a virtual pub quiz - VetLife are hosting a series of fun activities to raise money for Mental Health Awareness Week.
VetLife to host a series of fun wellbeing activities over social media

Vets are being urged to pledge their support to Mental Health Awareness week by taking part in a series of virtual activities hosted by Vetlife.

Mental Health Week takes place 10-16 May and aims to encourage more people to talk about their mental health and reduce the stigma that can prevent people from seeking help. 

This year’s theme is nature, and organisers hope to showcase nature’s unique ability to comfort us during stressful times, but also its potential to increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. 

Throughout the week, Vetlife will be hosting an array of fun activities over social media to raise money for its support Helpline. Members of the profession are being asked to make a £5 donation and encourage five others to get involved.

The activities on offer include meditation with vet and professional yoga teacher Chloe Hannigan, a virtual pub quiz with Trustees Danny Chambers and Paul Horwood, and a yoga session led by vet and yoga teacher Sarah Guthrie. 

For those looking to get their bodies moving, trustee James Russell will also be hosting a fun Tabata workout session – a form of high-intensity training - with discussions about Vetlife and mental health throughout. 

Vetlife provides support to the veterinary community through its Helpline, Health support, and Financial Support services. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the whole profession, including veterinary nurses, students and non-clinical staff.

A Vetlife spokesperson said: “2020 was the busiest year on record for Vetlife, with 3,921 contacts made to our Helpline compared to 3,117 in 2019 – a 25 per cent increase. Many of the Helpline contacts made last year were linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Similarly, the Health Support service saw a record number of referrals in 2020; a total of 190 referrals were made, compared to 149 in 2019. This comes at a time when a decrease in income has put a strain on charity resources – so donations are more vital than ever.”

For more information, visit vetlife.org

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.