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Equine charities team up for training
RSPCA recruits had the opportunity to learn how to handle horses.

World Horse Welfare helps RSPCA recruits.

World Horse Welfare, the UK's largest equine rescue and rehabilitation organisation, has teamed up with the RSPCA to prepare new RSPCA inspectors with training on how to assess and handle horses.

The latest intake of animal rescue officers were offered theory and practical training at World Horse Welfare's Hall Farm and Penny Farm rescue centres, in order to be prepared when dealing with horse welfare concerns.

Melanie Fisher, RSPCA inspector for Learning and Development, said: “Dealing with any animal involves risk and horses are large animals with high risk, so learning how to handle them safely and effectively is essential. 

“Learning how to approach horses in the stable and in the field, and to assess their body condition is so useful. 

“To be able to come to a World Horse Welfare farm and gain knowledge and expertise from them in an area they excel in has been invaluable. World Horse Welfare is a great partnership for us, we value their expertise in the equine field.”

Spending two days at one of the farms, new RSPCA inspectorate recruits spend one day learning how to approach horses in the field and in stables, as well as how to hold and examine them safely. 

On the first day recruits also learnt how to lead a horse, what to look for when assessing a horse's condition, and dealing with difficult horses. 

Rounding up and loading horses onto transport was covered on the second day, as well as a mock practical case to pull together all the learning.

The course also featured classroom sessions on topics such as euthanasia and trespass laws.

Jon Phipps, course leader and deputy chief field officer at World Horse Welfare, commented on the collaboration: “We all bring different specialities to the table and we need that breadth of knowledge and experience. 

“We aim to repeat this course and to continue for each new intake, to develop this partnership for the benefit of horse welfare.

“Collaborative working between the equine charities is now the norm, particularly on large cases. 

“We can meet each other and see how each other works and how the teams operate, because these are the guys we will be calling out if we need them, and vice versa.”

 

Image (C) World Horse Welfare

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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...
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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.