Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd May 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Trainer launches crowdfunder to help horses rescued from Ukraine
Kelleway has been on a mission to deliver goods and medical aid to horses affected by the devastating conflict.
The appeal aims to raise £40,000 to help equines on the Poland-Ukraine border.

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to buy supplies for horses rescued from Ukraine.

Launched by Gay Kelleway, a racehorse trainer from Newmarket, the appeal aims to raise £40,000 to help equines being cared for at the rehabilitation horse hub on the Poland-Ukraine border.

She hopes the funding will also be used to help reunite horses with their owners in Europe who have fled Ukraine.

Kelleway has been on a mission to deliver goods and medical aid to horses affected by the devastating conflict. In recent months, she has made several round trips of around 2,000 miles to the Polish border to drop off supplies, including rugs and bedding.

The trainer, who is based at Queen Alexandra Stables, also plans to rehome some of the horses in the UK and hopes to establish a charity to help fund the horse hub.

Speaking to the Racing Post on her way back from Poland in April, Kelleway said: "It's horrendous. Horses have been so good to me in life, without them I'd be nothing. I felt I had to do something, and what I saw today was heartbreaking. It's awful.

"Me and Neil Carson, my co-driver, were going to stay but we were told we would be of more help going back and getting more supplies to keep it going to bring horses back next week. It isn't getting better this war, in fact, it's getting far worse.

"This isn't a holiday, this is a mission. We want to get back there as soon as we can to help the horses and everyone. Please contact me if you have anything you can donate towards helping the horses."

The mission to rescue horses in Ukraine is being organised by Charlie Thornycroft, a former PA to the late Khalid Abdullah, along with veterinary professionals from Ukraine and across Europe.

At the time of writing, Kelleway's fundraising campaign had reached £28,000 of its £40,000 target. To donate to the appeal, visit justgiving.com 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.