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Vet launches venture to support animal welfare charities
Vet Maggie Roberts previously worked for Cats Protection.
The company will provide veterinary and legal advice.

A veterinary surgeon has launched a new consultancy company to provide veterinary and legal advice to charities and other not-for-profit organisations involved in animal welfare

Maggie Roberts, who previously worked for Cats Protection as director of feline welfare and director of veterinary services, has set up Advovet alongside lawyer Dominic Sullivan.

As well as working for Cats Protection, Dr Roberts has served as a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Small Animal Expert Group among other roles and was recently appointed as the independent chair of the Microchipping Trade Association.

Mr Sullivan has also worked for Cats Protection, including as interim chief executive. Together the two founders have a combined 45 years’ experience in the animal welfare sector.

The company will offer advice on medicine, shelter design, training, governance, and charity and animal welfare law.

Dr Roberts said: “Many people start up animal charities with the best of intentions but can lack the experience of running an organisation or dealing with multiple animals.”

“During my career I’ve seen many become overwhelmed or run out of funds, which can have a negative effect on their mental health and the animals in their care. Others may be doing well but don’t have the capacity or expertise to maximise their impact.

“However, with the right support and guidance these organisations can make a real difference to the animals that need them and this is where we want to help.”

Image © Advovet

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.