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Burgess Excel Vet Awards finalists revealed
"The standard of entries we've received has been absolutely outstanding" - Dr Suzanne Moyes.
Categories include Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year and Rabbit Student of the Year.

The shortlist of finalists for the 2021 Burgess Excel Vet Awards has been revealed.

Run in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, the awards celebrate the hard work of veterinary practices and individuals working to improve the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits and guinea pigs. 

One winner from each category will be presented with a trophy and cash prize of £250 at the London Vet Show in November. There will also be a digital announcement on Burgess’s social media pages. 

A panel of judges, including industry experts, veterinary professionals, and rabbit and guinea pig specialists, selected the finalists from hundreds of nominations and self-nominations from UK veterinary professionals, practices and their clients. 

Judge Dr Suzanne Moyes, veterinary director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “We have been delighted with the fantastic response to this year’s Excel Vet Awards. It’s hugely rewarding to hear about so many veterinary professionals and practices who are going that extra mile to take care of the UK’s rabbits and guinea pigs, despite the additional challenges created by the pandemic in providing high levels of care. 

“Once again, the standard of entries we’ve received has been absolutely outstanding, which has made the judging panel’s job very difficult! Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist, which in itself is an achievement to be proud of.”

The finalists in each category are as follows: 

Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
Heidi Barringer, Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Godmanchester
Katie Richmond-Jones, Downland Veterinary Group, Bognor Regis
Rachel Sibbald, Abercorn Veterinary Centre, Edinburgh
Victoria Stearman, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
Adina Valentine, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
 
Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
Origin Vets Clinic, Vale of Glamorgan
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Bridgwater 
Royal Veterinary College, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
Suffolk Exotic Vets, Suffolk
 
Rabbit Support Staff of the Year 
Ellie Wright, Riversmeet Vets, Atherstone
Rachel Sanderson, Robert Jones Vet Surgery Blackpool
Corinne Voigt-Hill, Vets4Pets, Bangor
Donna Robson, Pennard Vets, Sevenoaks
Chrystabel Burt, Medivet, Ashford
 
Rabbit Student of the Year 
Megan Bailey, Duchy College Rosewarne, Camborne
Amy Loverance, Nottingham Veterinary School
Sarah McMahon, University of Glasgow
Grace Mee, University of Liverpool
Tanya Peters, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire
 
Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year 
CJ Hall Vets, East Sheen, London
Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
Origin Vets, Cardiff
Twickenham Vets, London

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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...
News Shorts
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.