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Pet food bank project expands to North East
"We set up the scheme in the hope that we could provide as much pet food as possible and keep families and their pets together." - ARO Heather Wade.

The RSPCA began the project in response to the pandemic. 

 The RSPCA is asking the public for pet food donations as its food bank project expands into North East England.

Beginning in Lancashire during lockdown, as a response to the large number of pet owners with financial difficulties that the RSPCA was seeing, the project links up the RSPCA with food banks around the country to provide the food banks with pet food. 

Rolled out across 35 different food banks across Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northumbria and Greater Manchester, the project is now being rolled out in the North East of England.

The food banks who have signed up for the project are Key 2 Life Food Bank (South Shields), Washington Community Food Project, Walker and District Food Bank and Newcastle West End Food Bank. 

RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Heather Wade, who is coordinating the effort across South Tyneside and Newcastle, commented on the project: “We’ve seen pets become a real source of comfort to people during the pandemic and it’s fantastic to see those strong bonds between owners and their animals. 

“However, the pandemic has put a strain on people’s finances and we’re seeing a lot of people experience tough times at the moment. 

“The last thing we want is for a loving owner to have to give up their companion and so we set up the scheme in the hope that we could provide as much pet food as possible and keep families and their pets together.”

The charity is asking for donations of pet food to assist the project, and members of the public are asked to use these drop-off points and specify that the donation is for the project:

    •   RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, Waldridge Lane, DH2 3BF
    •   RSPCA Newcastle and North Northumberland Branch Shop, 200 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1DU
    •   RSPCA Newcastle and North Northumberland Branch Shop, 186 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2TA

Heather added: “We’re so pleased to be able to help in this way and are so grateful for any donations we receive to help this project.”

 

Image (C) RSPCA

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."