Survey to connect UK vets with Ukrainian refugees
“We continue to be deeply shocked and saddened by events in Ukraine" - Justine Shotton, BVA president.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched a survey to help 'match' members of the UK veterinary community with Ukrainian veterinary professionals.
Designed to support the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, details gathered by the survey will be used to ‘match’ participants with Ukrainian vets who contact the BVA looking for somewhere to stay.
The Homes for Ukraine programme is currently only open for Ukrainians who have named people willing to sponsor them, and vets wishing to share their details with the BVA will first need to register on gov.uk
If participants are not matched with a named Ukrainian vet during Phase 1, the UK Government may use the details to connect them with another Ukrainian individual or family in Phase 2.
Justine Shotton, BVA president, said: “We continue to be deeply shocked and saddened by events in Ukraine, and appreciate the huge outpouring of support from UK vets who want to do whatever they can to help those affected. It can be difficult to find named Ukrainian refugees, and as a professional association, we recognise we can play a useful role in connecting UK vets with Ukrainian veterinary professionals seeking refuge here."
The BVA has also announced that it will be donating £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, and is encouraging others to donate as well as share information and resources.
Dr Shotton added: “We appreciate that not everyone will be in a position to offer accommodation, but there are many other ways that vets can offer their support, by giving money to humanitarian appeals or donating medical supplies and equipment via the British Veterinary Professionals for Ukrainegroup. We also encourage workplaces to do what they can to help all refugees to ‘see practice’ while they study for the RCVS statutory exam.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
