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Animals rescued from bombed-out zoo
FOUR PAWS helping a surviving animal
More than 80 animals died when a zoo in northern Gaza was severely damaged by airstrikes.

FOUR PAWS are helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip

An emergency team from the international animal charity FOUR PAWS is helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip by providing urgently needed medical treatment.

More than 80 animals died when the zoo was severely damaged by airstrikes during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. A FOUR PAWS emergency team, led by Dr Amir Khalil and local supporters, are now providing help to the 20 surviving animals.

Because FOUR PAWS is well connected in the region, zoo manager Shady Hamad officially asked the organisation for help because the surviving animals had been left without water or food.  

Very concerned about the state of the zoo, Dr. Amir Khalil said: "Most of the enclosures have been severely damaged. There are several dead animals lying around the enclosures. The few surviving animals, among them three lions, are traumatised, ill and very weak."

Equipped with antibiotics, worming medicine and disinfectants, the emergency team is now administering medical treatment on site. Food deliveries have been arranged from Gaza and the team is also restoring the water supply by repairing pipes. As the lions enclosure was damaged, the team are first focusing on making the enclosure secure and undertaking security measures.

The Sinai Peninsula and the border area between Egypt and Israel, suffer frequent terrorist attacks. Dr Khalil said: "We had to plan the operation from Cairo, working with the Egyptian authorities and local NGOs. The team's safety was our top priority. We were finally able to reach the Gaza Strip accompanied by military convoy."

It is not yet clear if the zoo will be able to carry on.  Dr. Khalil added: "We will now assess whether the lions can be transferred to a safe place outside Gaza as well as finding a solution for the other remaining animals." FOUR PAWS say that this is likely to be decided in the next few days.

Image © FOUR PAWS

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.