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Vets to debate how to engage Gen Z in disease prevention
"It is essential the profession understands this grwing demand and ensures pet owners have access to accurate information" - Justine Shotton, BVA vice-president.
The BVA Congress session will explore the challenges and opportunities for reaching a younger generation of pet owner.

A panel debate exploring how to reach a younger generation of pet owners to prevent disease will take place at London Vet Show on Friday (18 November).

The BVA Congress session, titled Preventative Health and the Gen Z Client – engaging a new generation of pet owners with disease prevention, will explore the issues and opportunities presented by this new, tech-savvy generation.

Chaired by BVA senior vice president Justine Shotton, the session will look at how young people access, digest and share information in new ways. 

Joining her on the panel will be Tanya Michelsen, associate director of CM Research; Marnie Brennan, associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Nottingham; Rebekah Ellis, brand and customer manager, MSD Human Health, and Ben Sweeney, founder and CEO of Vidivet.

Dr Shotton said: “The rapid proliferation of telemedicine and the growth of online advice groups on platforms like Facebook are clear signs that clients are looking for additional ways to access veterinary services and advice. 

“It is essential the profession understands this growing demand and ensures pet owners have access to accurate information. This session at BVA Congress promises to be extremely insightful, exploring the challenges but also the opportunities for reaching a new, younger generation of pet owner.” 

The session takes place on Friday, 18 November, 1:50 pm.

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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.