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VBF Council Meeting a success
Charity reveals shift in emphasis

The Veterinary Benevolent Fund have held their biannual meeting and have announced that charitable expenditure during the period July 2011 to January 2012 increased by almost 25% to £109,402. The main areas of increased expenditure were in regular monthly grants and special gifts, the development of the Vetlife website and its launch at the London Vet Show.

The areas of increased expenditure indicate a shift in emphasis in the VBF's activities. There appears to be a move away from the traditional image of the VBF of relatively small monthly grants given to fairly elderly beneficiaries, to situations in which younger members of the profession have serious health and/or large financial problems. These cases often require urgent support and considerable financial input.

The health problems seen by the Fund appear increasingly to be associated with mental health and, although most will recover given the right support, some beneficiaries may be unable to work full time again. Council noted that early intervention by friends and colleagues might often prevent such problems becoming acute and improve the chances of a more successful outcome.

The implications of younger beneficiaries who will require support for longer periods emphasised the importance of growing the Fund to provide the required increase in investment income for the decades ahead.

Contact for Help

Veterinary Benevolent Fund
T: 020 7908 6385
E: info@vetlife.org.uk

Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme
T: 07946 634220
E: VSHSP@vetlife.org.uk

Vet Helpline
T: 07659 811118

See www.vetlife.org.uk for more information.

Donations can be made to VBF on-line at www.justgiving.com/VBF

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.