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Vetlife seeks volunteers to help deliver financial aid
Last year, the charity provided over £100k in financial support.
The charity needs new area reps in three regions.

Vetlife is urgently seeking volunteers to help it deliver financial support to those who need it in the veterinary community.

The charity is looking for new area representatives for London, Northern Ireland, and the South East. The role involves working with new applicants and existing beneficiaries of Vetlife Financial Support to understand their circumstances and make sure they receive the right level of support.

Vetlife provides both initial training for its area representatives and annual on-going training for those already in the role. Current volunteers come from a range of veterinary backgrounds, including veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

In 2023, the scheme provided more than £100k in aid to individuals and their dependants in the veterinary community. The support includes emergency assistance, regular monthly grants, and one-off gifts.

John Chitty, honorary secretary and chair of Vetlife Financial Support, said: “With a growing number of applicants for financial assistance, Vetlife has never had more need of area reps performing their essential role.

“Working on the ‘front line’ our reps work directly with beneficiaries and provide much needed support and assistance to vets and nurses in genuine financial, emotional and health need.”

Vetlife area representative Jim Kellow added: “I have been an area rep since 2020 and feel privileged to have been able to communicate with, and help, those that have found themselves in financial difficulties.

“The role doesn't demand too much of my time and as a result I feel I can genuinely help. The support for me in this role has been excellent.”

More information about the role, including how to apply, can be found on the Vetlife website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.