Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Burgess Excel Vet Awards finalists revealed
"The standard of entries we've received has been absolutely outstanding" - Dr Suzanne Moyes.
Categories include Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year and Rabbit Student of the Year.

The shortlist of finalists for the 2021 Burgess Excel Vet Awards has been revealed.

Run in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, the awards celebrate the hard work of veterinary practices and individuals working to improve the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits and guinea pigs. 

One winner from each category will be presented with a trophy and cash prize of £250 at the London Vet Show in November. There will also be a digital announcement on Burgess’s social media pages. 

A panel of judges, including industry experts, veterinary professionals, and rabbit and guinea pig specialists, selected the finalists from hundreds of nominations and self-nominations from UK veterinary professionals, practices and their clients. 

Judge Dr Suzanne Moyes, veterinary director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “We have been delighted with the fantastic response to this year’s Excel Vet Awards. It’s hugely rewarding to hear about so many veterinary professionals and practices who are going that extra mile to take care of the UK’s rabbits and guinea pigs, despite the additional challenges created by the pandemic in providing high levels of care. 

“Once again, the standard of entries we’ve received has been absolutely outstanding, which has made the judging panel’s job very difficult! Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist, which in itself is an achievement to be proud of.”

The finalists in each category are as follows: 

Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
Heidi Barringer, Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Godmanchester
Katie Richmond-Jones, Downland Veterinary Group, Bognor Regis
Rachel Sibbald, Abercorn Veterinary Centre, Edinburgh
Victoria Stearman, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
Adina Valentine, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
 
Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
Origin Vets Clinic, Vale of Glamorgan
Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Bridgwater 
Royal Veterinary College, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
Suffolk Exotic Vets, Suffolk
 
Rabbit Support Staff of the Year 
Ellie Wright, Riversmeet Vets, Atherstone
Rachel Sanderson, Robert Jones Vet Surgery Blackpool
Corinne Voigt-Hill, Vets4Pets, Bangor
Donna Robson, Pennard Vets, Sevenoaks
Chrystabel Burt, Medivet, Ashford
 
Rabbit Student of the Year 
Megan Bailey, Duchy College Rosewarne, Camborne
Amy Loverance, Nottingham Veterinary School
Sarah McMahon, University of Glasgow
Grace Mee, University of Liverpool
Tanya Peters, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire
 
Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year 
CJ Hall Vets, East Sheen, London
Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
Origin Vets, Cardiff
Twickenham Vets, London

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Free event for the global unowned cat community

News Story 1
 International Cat Care (ICatCare) has announced a free, virtual event dedicated to caring for unowned cats to explore new ideas and ways of working.

iCatConnect 2025 takes place on Wednesday, 12 November, and is open to everyone working and volunteering with unowned cats. It will include a line-up of 12 international cat welfare experts, who will consider the bigger picture of unowned cats and explore practical, effective, and inclusive solutions.

Following the session, attendees can put their questions to the experts and share their views. They will also hear frontline challenges and real-world case studies shared by contributors working in shelters, TNR, community cat programmes, and veterinary teams from around the world. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.