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Mascara wand appeal a huge success
Mascara wands are used to groom the animals.

Wildlife charity has received brushes from all over the world

A wildlife centre's appeal for old mascara brushes to help care for its animals has closed after the charity received ‘more wands than Hogwarts’.

BBC News reports that pigeons and baby rabbits were among the first to benefit from the 'Wands for Wildlife' project at The New Arc Animal Rescue Centre in Abderdeenshire.

The tiny wands are used to groom and care for the animals and are said to work well because the bristles are so close together.

On its Facebook page, New Arc said that it had received hundreds of emails and mascara wands from the world. Kevin Newell, who helps care for the animals at the rescue centre, told BBC Scotland:

“We have been inundated - we have got more wands here than in Hogwarts.
The mascara brushes are cleaned, and we get them ready for the baby season. They are usually orphaned.

"If using on a small rabbit it's fantastic as they are so fine, it removes mites and dust, and once that grooming process is in place it's a bonding thing. It's like parental care. It keeps them clean, happy and healthy."

Wands for Wildlife was first pitched to The New Arc by the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina, which provides urgent care to injured and orphaned wildlife.

New Arc said that it was fantastic to have so much support for wildlife and re-using items destined for landfill. It now hopes to find a secure a recycling facility for the used wands and will post details of where they can be sent.

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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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.