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Vets join AWF as trustees
Three new members bring broad knowledge and expertise

Vet-led charity the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) has appointed three veterinary surgeons to its board as trustees.

The new trustees - who will join 11 others on the board - are Matt Dobbs, a farm animal vet and founder of the Origin veterinary group; animal welfare scientist and ethologist Michael Appleby OBE; and the Webinar Vet programme manager Stacey Blease.

AWF funds research, supports veterinary education, offers pet care advice and encourages debate on animal welfare issues. It is supported by the BVA.
 

Matt Dobbs is a farm animal vet and founder of the Origin veterinary group.

Welcoming the new trustees, AWF chair of trustees Chris Laurence, said: “I am delighted to welcome Matt, Michael and Stacey to the AWF board. As a vet-led charity, AWF is uniquely poised to offer a first-hand insight into the animal welfare challenges facing farm animals, pets and wild animals, and the new trustees bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise to suggest possible solutions to these and to help to help drive the charity’s mission to improve the welfare of animals through veterinary science, education and debate.”

Commenting on his appointment Matt Dobbs pledged to ensure that the profile of animal welfare is “paramount”. He said he is keen to help future generations improve welfare through education, technology and bringing research into practice.


Michael Appleby OBE is an animal welfare scientist and ethologist.

Michael Appleby, who is a former chief scientific adviser for World Animal Protection, added: “After a career involved with the science and practice of animal welfare, I shall value the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Animal Welfare Foundation.

“I believe that communication and collaboration between veterinary professionals and other animal welfare scientists is essential for the future of animal welfare, in the context of other priorities including sustainability and development.”

Stacey Blease is programme manager for the Webinar Vet.

Stacey Blease said she is keen to “stimulate debate” and keep up to date with research, in order to further educate animal owners and the industry on welfare issues.

Trustees are responsible for facilitating the achievement of AWF’s mission, providing strategic direction, ensuring its financial stability and compliance with legal and charitable regulations, and safeguarding the charity’s brand and reputation.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.