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Atypical monsoon precipitates crisis for animal rescue hospital
Heaviest rainfall for six decades.
Award-winning VN appeals for help

While in an article in the Business Standard, the Indian Meteorological Department is heralding a welcome end to the threat of drought provided by 792mm monsoon rainfall since June – three per cent more than usual – staff and patients at the Tree Of Life For Animals (TOLFA) animal hospital in Rajasthan are facing a crisis and temporary closure after being hit by the heaviest rainfall in six decades.
 
A statement posted on the TOLFA website, declares: ‘It is with sadness we must announce the temporary closure of our Rescue Service. Owing to atypical monsoon flooding and the usual high number of rescues at this time of year we are at full capacity. Our Rescue Team will only be able to provide street treatments until further notice.’
 
In an on-site video,TOLFA founder, VN Rachel Wright, explains the situation and is appealing for donations to help restore the animal hospital to full service again as soon as possible. “The torrential rain has caused misery for the animals, as well as the local people,” she says, “but it has not damaged our resolve to keep helping as many animals as we can. I am so grateful to our dedicated staff, who are working overtime to cope with the extra complications this situation has presented.”
 
TOLFA is a busy animal hospital and rescue centre in Rajasthan, Northern India. It works to eradicate rabies, rescue and treat injured animals, sterilise street dogs, and undertakes many more welfare projects. It is an integral part of the community, and has received international recognition for its work. It has helped more than 170,000 sick and injured animals, spayed/neutered more than 22,000 dogs, and vaccinated more than 28,000 dogs against rabies.
 
Rachel received the International Award for Animal Welfare from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in July 2018 and was also the recipient of the CEVA Vet Nurse of the Year Award earlier this year. 
 
To help or to make a donation, visit www.tolfa.org.uk or e-mail enquiries@tolfa.org.uk

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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.