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Rising number of horse carers struggling financially
“It is distressing to see that the number of people seeking rehoming support because of financial reasons is already more than double last year’s annual total" - Annabelle Taylor, Blue Cross.

Blue Cross urges owners to get in touch if they need support.

The number of horse carers struggling to afford to keep their equine is on the rise, figures released by Blue Cross suggest.

In the first half of 2022, the national pet charity received more than 140 requests from people asking them to take in or help re-home their horse or pony. Of these, more than 70 per cent stated that personal or financial circumstances were the reason.

In contrast, just 43 of 277 intake and rehoming requests for the entire year of 2021 and 32 out of 231 requests for the whole of 2020 specifically indicated financial reasons.

In light of the escalating financial crisis, Blue Cross is urging horse owners to get in touch if they are struggling rather than let problems snowball towards potential health and welfare issues for their animals.

Annabelle Taylor, Blue Cross rehoming coordinator, said: “It is distressing to see that the number of people seeking rehoming support because of financial reasons is already more than double last year’s annual total, and we still have a third of the year to go.

“We are acutely aware that as the cost of living continues to increase, many people may be unavoidably presented with making difficult choices for their beloved horses.

She added: “We encourage them to approach us whilst their horses are still healthy rather than risk them being passed from pillar to post, potentially ending up in a welfare compromised situation.”

Blue Cross rehomes horses from its centres in Burford, Oxfordshire and Rolleston, Staffordshire, as well as through its Home Direct scheme – an initiative that has helped find homes for more than 150 horses since its launch in 2015.

Through the Home Direct scheme, the Blue Cross horse unit team assesses each horse before they get advertised on their website. Once a potential owner match has been found, the charity arranges and oversees the initial visits.

The Home Direct service is open to other equine welfare charities that don't specialise in rehoming. Any horse can be considered for the scheme, so long as they pass a health check and are not on any long-term medication.

For more support, advice or guidance about giving up a horse, email helpmyhorse@bluecross.org.uk


 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.