Animal charity Wood Green has reached bursting point, with more than 120 dogs in its care, but only 100 kennels. Despite passing its maximum capacity, the charity is still receiving more than 20 calls a day from people wanting to give up their dogs in the run-up to Christmas. A number of reasons are cited, including owners falling ill or having to care for sick relatives, having to move out of accommodation or even fleeing domestic abuse.

Section manager Tracy Bingham said: "The last few weeks of the year are traditionally busy for Wood Green but this year we really are struggling to cope". Some of the dogs have been at the centre for very long periods. Staffordshire bull terrier Alan (pictured) has stolen the hearts of staff at the charity's Godmanchester Centre, where he has been for nearly 200 days.

Renewal fees to stay on the List/Register of Veterinary Nurses need to be paid to the RCVS by December 31, 2014. The £61 fee can be paid online through the "My Account" area on the RCVS website. Any nurses who do not have their login details should contact the RCVS on 020 7202 0707. Payments by cheque must be received by the college by December 19 and clear by December 31.

As well as paying the fee, all nurses are required to confirm their registration details and correspondence address. Registered veterinary nurses will also need to declare convictions, cautions and/or adverse findings and confirm they are compliant with CPD requirements of 45 hours over a three-year period.

French farmers have unleashed their sheep on the Eiffel Tower in protest against rising numbers of wolf attacks. Some feel the wolf has been given too much protection and protestors are demanding the government take action to reduce the number of attacks. According to the Telegraph, official figures showed there were 4,800 wolf attacks, mainly on sheep, between January and August this year. This is an increase of 1,000 attacks compared to 2013.

Nominations are now open for the Kennel Club Friends for Life awards. The organisation would like to hear from people who feel that their life, or the life of somebody they know, has been changed dramatically by their dog. The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and will go forward to the final at Crufts on March 8, 2015. To make a nomination visit www.crufts.org.uk

Image (C) Kennel Club

RCVS Knowledge are now accepting applications for a second round of Target Grants, which will fund the development of short courses in evidence-based medicine for veterinary professionals.

The courses will help professionals advance their skills in applying evidence-based veterinary medicine techniques in every day practical decision-making. They will also enable practitioners to contribute their skills and knowledge to the wider community, by producing Knowledge Summaries on specific areas of veterinary care.

The deadline for applications is Friday 16th January 2015. Further information, including full application criteria, is available at www.rcvsknowledge.org/grants/available-grants

A unique battlefield tour, which took participants on a journey through significant sites of the early days of WW1, has raised 22,000 for World Horse Welfare.

Following part of the famous Retreat from Mons (August 23 - September 5, 1914) the charity's bespoke ride took horses and their riders to notable cavalry battlefields such as Mauberge, Le Cateau, Maretz, Saint Quentin, Ham, Compeigne, Villers Cotterets and Nery. The trip was mainly on horseback but did include bus rides in the evenings, accompanied by the group's Battlefield tour guide who not only brought the events of one hundred years ago to life, but also rode every inch of the ride with the participants.

The funds, which were raised by each individual rider via sponsors, will help the many neglected horses both in the UK and across the world.