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WSAVA appoints chair of new standards steering committee
“I am really looking forward to joining the WSAVA team” – Rochelle Low.
The committee will create a set of standards for companion animal practices.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced the chair of its newly established Standards Steering Committee.

Rochelle Low, global vice-president of veterinary quality and patient safety at Mars Veterinary Health, will take on the role.

The committee has been created to develop and launch the WSAVA's Essential Standards for Companion Animal Veterinary Practices (ESCAVP). These standards are intended to help companion animal veterinary practices to assess their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and access support resources.

Under Low’s leadership, the Standards Steering Committee will initially focus on identifying partner organisations that can contribute to the development and launch of the ESCAVP, and creating a practical project plan outlining key milestones and areas of focus.

In her role at Mars Veterinary Health, Dr Low has had responsibility of overseeing patient safety initiatives, addressing antimicrobial resistance, and leading the design and development of quality programmes and standards.

As well as holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, she has completed a Master of Applied Science in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality at Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Healthcare Leadership at Brown University.

Dr Low said: “I am excited and honoured to take on the role of chair of the Essential Standards Committee for WSAVA.

“Setting key standards for companion animal practice globally will make an important difference to our patients and the veterinary teams that care for them. I am really looking forward to joining the WSAVA team.”

Ellen van Nierop, WSAVA president, added: “Rochelle's proven track record of leadership and her dedication to veterinary medicine make her the ideal candidate to guide our efforts in implementing WSAVA’s Essential Standards for Companion Animal Veterinary Practices.”

Image © WSAVA

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.