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Bristol vet students support vaccination programme
Bristol veterinary students fundraised to pay for the vaccines.
Event sees low-income owners receive free pet vaccinations.

Students from Bristol Veterinary School have been supporting pet owners in the local community, helping out Bristol Animal Rescue Centre with its free vaccination event.

Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, which supports pets and wildlife in need, ran an event offering free pet vaccinations for pet owners on low incomes or benefits. With the cost of living crisis having a significant impact on owners, the charity stepped up to ensure that pets were protected against illness and disease.

The event took place at Ambition Lawrence Weston Community Centre, and students from Bristol Paws Project, a veterinary society at the university, fundraised to pay for the vaccines, alongside administering them. 

Victoria Oates RVN, outreach nurse at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, said: "With families struggling to put food on the table for themselves - let alone look after their pets - our outreach services have been more in demand than ever before.

“With this vaccination event, we're hoping not only to protect pets in Bristol, but also to raise awareness of the vital work that we do here, looking after animals and keeping families together.”

President of the Bristol Paws Project and Bristol Veterinary School student Charlie Underwood, said: “We are delighted to be volunteering at the vaccine drive again to ensure that pets receive their vital vaccinations. 

“Pet ownership has numerous mental health and wellbeing benefits, so we aim to reduce financial barriers - especially with the current cost of living crisis. We would like to thank people for their contributions and supporting such a worthwhile cause.”

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.