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Naturewatch grant to support abandoned and displaced animals
Both organisations work with abandoned or displaced dogs.
Organisations in Barbados and Sudan receive a share.

Naturewatch Foundation has revealed that its 2024 World Animal Day Grant will be shared between two organisations in Barbados and Sudan.

Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary in Barbados and the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation in Sudan will each receive a share of the annual grant for their work with abandoned and displaced animals respectively.

The majority of the grant, £8,718, has been awarded to Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary. Located in St. John, Barbados, the organisation works to rescue and rehome abused and abandoned animals.

Naturewatch’s grant will help fund the sanctuary’s monthly spay and neuter sessions, as well as supporting them with caring for injured and neglected animals until they are ready for adoption.

It will also support Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary’s outreach and education programme. The organisation hosts workshops and educational sessions to promote responsible animal care.

Karen Whittaker, founder of Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary, said: “Our ongoing mission is to enhance the wellbeing of abandoned, neglected, and stray dogs and cats in Barbados. Receiving recognition from the World Animal Day HQ is truly heartening and this grant will greatly bolster our initiatives to create a positive impact on the community.”

A smaller grant of £1,500 has also been awarded to the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation.

Amid an ongoing civil war, the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Protection Organisation has been providing essential vaccinations to vulnerable donkeys, horses and dogs which have been displaced by the conflict.

It also leads education programmes, providing animal carers with the knowledge they need to improve their animal care.

The work of the organisation was promoted by Mustafa Bakrawi, World Animal Day ambassador in Sudan. Mr Bakrawi highlighted the worsening conditions for animals and the project’s goal to alleviate this suffering.

Sarah Carr, CEO of Naturewatch Foundation, said: “The difficult decision to pick just a couple of winners reflects the strength of the applications received and therefore the need for financial support for animals globally.

“We are very grateful to be able to offer the World Animal Day grant to bolster important work and to our supporters who make this possible.”

Image © Shutterstock

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.