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Blue Cross medal opens for nominations
The Blue Cross Medal closes to nominations on 26 August 2022.

Charity invites owners to nominate heroic pets.

Nominations have now opened for the 2022 Blue Cross Medal, celebrating pets who have done something amazing or heroic.

Blue Cross chief executive Chris Burghes explained: “The Blue Cross Medal champions all heroic pets - from amazing assistance or therapy pets to every-day household pets who make exceptional companions. 

“If you own or know of a pet that has done something out of the ordinary to change someone’s life, we want to hear from you.”

One remarkable pet will win the medal, and owners can nominate their pets for consideration until Friday 26 August. 

Originally, the Blue Cross Medal was awarded to people who rescued animals, and was first awarded in 1917, however in 1940, the medal was given to an animal itself.

The winning animal, a dog named 'La Cloche' saved his owner from drowning after a German torpedo hit their ship, and ever since, the medal has celebrated the actions of pets who save and change lives across the country.

Successful pets have been awarded for a whole range of heroic acts, the 2021 winner, a blind therapy cat named Carrots, was celebrated for the comfort he brings to sick patients and their families at a hospice. 

Other heroic pets include a cat named Jim who saved his family from a fire in 1942, Daisy the Labrador who could detect cancer, pet blood donor Romeo the Staffordshire bull terrier and Lemmy the mastiff, who saved his young owner from depression.

Anyone who owns or knows a heroic pet is invited to visit bluecross.org.uk/blue-cross-medal to make a nomination. 

 

Image (C) Blue Cross

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

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.