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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th September 2019
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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.