Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th July 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Human-animal bond to be celebrated on 23 July
Clare Balding will be in conversation with artist Hercule Van Wolfwinkle.

Clare Balding to take part in day of online talks.

This Sunday, 23 July, will mark the first ever National Human-Animal Bond Awareness Day. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the many ways in which animals benefit humans through companionship, work and assistance.

Created by StreetVet volunteer Tammie O’Leary and the charity’s co-founder Jade Statt, the new awareness day has drawn support from a wide range of animal-welfare charities and animal-loving celebrities.

Television presenter Clare Balding, who is an ambassador for StreetVet, will be taking part in the day’s events alongside other familiar faces. Twenty-nine charities will also be joining the celebration of the human-animal bond, including Battersea, The Donkey Sanctuary, and Riding for the Disabled.

The day will be marked with an online series of virtual talks by animal health experts and animal lovers. Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, known for his ‘rubbish’ pet portraits, will be one of the presenters, and social media star and small animal veterinary surgeon Cat the Vet will be giving a talk on pet food myths. Other speakers lined up include Rory the Vet, Dr Sarah Heath, and Dr James Greenwood.

The events will be free to attend through Facebook Live and Zoom, with event details available on Facebook. The organisers have also been running a series of competitions to raise awareness of the day, with prizes including signed books by David Walliams and Will Young.

Ms Balding said: “I’m delighted to support StreetVet in its daily mission - its clients and their dogs really demonstrate the strength and importance of the human-animal bond. Animals have always been hugely important to me and growing up I was surrounded by horses and dogs, so I can’t wait to celebrate this special relationship.”

Ms Statt added: “There are so many charities and organisations which work tirelessly to highlight the importance of the human-animal bond and we want to share them, together with the amazing experiences of our clients. Recognition of the importance of the human-animal bond is the foundation upon which StreetVet was created.”

 

Image (C) StreetVet

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.