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GPAW 2023 theme announced as ‘Rescue & Rehome’
The theme follows data showing a surge in guinea pig abandonment.

The week will focus on guinea pigs in rescue centres.

Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) 2023 has been confirmed for 25 – 29 September, with the theme announced as ‘Rescue & Rehome’.

The week-long event will be highlighting the number of guinea pigs that are in rescue centres in need of rehoming, as well as sharing information on guinea pig care.

The theme follows data showing a surge in guinea pig abandonment, with RSPCA reporting that they had already received 235 guinea pigs by mid-August this year, compared to 253 guinea pigs taken during the whole of 2022.

The campaign is led by Burgess Pet Care and endorsed by the British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

They are encouraging veterinary surgeons and nurses to get involved by accessing free online resources that will help them organise and promote their own digital GPAW events.

They will be sharing content across GPAW digital channels, including blogs and videos about welfare needs, enrichment ideas and a dedicated rescue page.

Burgess Pet Care are hoping that this week of events will raise awareness for guinea pigs, and promote better care of the animal.

Dr Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and in-house veterinary surgeon at Burgess Pet Care, said: “We are so thrilled that GPAW is returning for a third year. We’ve filled our digital GPAW vet packs will lots of ideas and advice on how practices can host their own digital events and engage with guinea pig owners in their region.

“GPAW is a great opportunity for vets to raise the profile of their practices, showcase their guinea pig expertise and actively engage with their clients, communities and fellow practitioners online.”

“As vets’ practices are often the first port of call for owners seeking help and advice, it would be fantastic to see as many as possible getting involved and downloading GPAW packs.

“The more we can all help owners understand and learn about guinea pigs, the happier and healthier the nation’s guinea pigs will be!”

Any veterinary professionals who wish to get involved can sign up for notifications of when the GPAW digital packs are available here.

Image (C) Burgess Pet Care

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.