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PDSA launches unwanted gifts appeal
The PDSA is urging the public to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to its charity shops.
The veterinary charity is experiencing increasing demand for its services.

The PDSA has launched an unwanted Christmas gift appeal to support its vital veterinary work.

It comes amid rising demand for the charity's services during the cost-of-living crisis, and the problem is only expected to get worse.

In 2021, PDSA treated some 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals. However, the organisation's PAW Report, released the following year, found that almost a third of pet owners are worried about affording veterinary costs.

It followed shocking findings released by the PDSA in 2021, revealing that a staggering 930,000 pets were at risk of being euthanised if their owners were hit with unexpected veterinary bills. 

Lloyd Hughes, head of retail and buying at PDSA, urged members of the public to donate their unwanted Christmas items to the organisation's charity shops.

“PDSA receives no government funding and relies solely on public support to fund our vital work,” he said. “Without the money raised in our shops and donations given to us by kind-hearted members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to fund the life-saving treatment we provide in our 48 Pet Hospitals.

“By donating unwanted Christmas gifts, that may otherwise sit in a cupboard or even be thrown away, to our charity shops, people can make a real difference to the lives of pets and their owners, keeping families together.” 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.