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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th May 2011
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Donkey Sanctuary mourns Founder

It is with deep sorrow that The Donkey Sanctuary announced the tragic loss of its Founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE.

Dr Svendsen founded the charity in 1969 out of her deep love and compassion for abused, neglected and abandoned donkeys. This stemmed from finding seven donkeys in a terribly poor state crammed in a small pen at Exeter market.

For over 40 years, her tireless devotion and labours has seen The Donkey Sanctuary help over 14,500 donkeys and mules and provide them with lifelong care and love.

The Donkey Sanctuary Chief Executive said:

“The loss of Dr Svendsen will be felt deeply by her staff who loved her dearly, as well as Donkey Sanctuary supporters all over the world. Her son Paul and granddaughter Dawn remain deeply involved with The Donkey Sanctuary’s work and our heart goes out to them at this devastating time. The charity that Dr Svendsen built from nothing to the international organisation it is today, will continue its work in her memory, holding fast to her vision of a world in which every donkey and mule receives the care and respect it so needs."

In addition to her donkey welfare work, Dr Svendsen was a passionate advocate for riding therapy for children with special needs. She established The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys, a charity giving children with special needs the opportunity to have contact with and ride donkeys at six purpose-built centres throughout the UK, most recently at our Belfast centre which opened just a few days ago.

Dr Svendsen died peacefully on Wednesday 11th May 2011 after a stroke with family and her lifelong friend June Evers by her bedside. She was 81 years old.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.