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Vet charity begins volunteering bursary
Angharad Simlett-Moss had been hoping to volunteer on a WVS trip, but passed away before she could do so.

It was set up in memory of Angharad Simlett-Moss.

Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) has launched applications for the Angharad Simlett-Moss Volunteering Bursary.

The grant is designed to provide financial support to UK vets, who may not otherwise be able to volunteer.

The bursary has been set up to commemorate Angharad Simlett-Moss, a small animal veterinary surgeon. Dr Simlett-Moss died suddenly in July 2020, soon after her 34th birthday.

Dr Simlett-Moss had been hoping to volunteer on a WVS trip, however she passed away before she was able to do so. The bursary will honour her life, and her passion for continuous veterinary learning.

Each year the grant, funded by Dr Simlett-Moss’ family, will provide a veterinary surgeon with £1000 to use towards a veterinary volunteering trip abroad.

The bursary is open to UK veterinary surgeons with over three years of experience. Usually one bursary will be awarded each year but this year, to mark its launch, two bursaries will be awarded.

It is intended to support veterinary surgeons who wish to volunteer, but for whom the cost of travelling is a barrier to taking part.

Successful applicants will be invited to volunteer at the WVS centre in Malawi.

The Malawi clinic has helped 11,548 animals in the past year, providing free vaccinations, sterilisation and treatments to sick and injured animals. The team also works with the police to combat illegal animal sales, lead community education programmes, and rehome animals which they have rescued.

Volunteers deliver essential veterinary services to the community, and also train local veterinary surgeons.

Applications for the bursary will remain open until Sunday, 14 July 2024.

Luke Gamble, CEO and founder of WVS, said: “It is a great honour to be able to launch this bursary in Angharad’s memory. This will give someone who would not usually be able to consider volunteering the chance to make a real impactful difference for animals that desperately need it.

“We are so grateful to Angharad’s family for this opportunity.”

For more information or to apply, visit the WVS website.

Images: © WVS

Image of Angharad Simlett-Moss (C) Joyce Simlett-Moss

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.