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Survey seeks views on protecting the VN title
The BVNA is asking for feedback on how professionals feel about protecting the 'veterinary nurse' title in law.
The title 'veterinary nurse' is currently not protected in law.

The veterinary profession is being invited to have its say on protecting the VN title in a survey launching on Monday (26 September).

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) is asking for feedback on how 
professionals feel about the issue, plus how it may or may not affect them, their patients, and the public. 

Currently, the VN title is not protected by law, meaning that anyone can call themselves a veterinary nurse, regardless of any training or experience. 

The RCVS Council recommended to the government (DEFRA) that the title "veterinary nurse" be protected as part of broader legislative changes to the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act. The BVNA and BVA have also long campaigned for this protection. 

In 2015, an RCVS-led petition to see if the issue could be considered for a debate in parliament garnered some 36,000 signatures. However, this was not enough for a government petition at that time. 

The RCVS continues to support the title's protection and has included it in its recommendations for future legislation.

The survey will be available on the BVNA website between Monday 26th September and Wednesday 30th November. The association said that it will also be surveying the public. 

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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

Click here for more...
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.