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Rabbit-friendly vet awards announces winners
Pictured: Dr Madonna Livingstone, Rabbit Vet of the Year 2022.
Full list of winners released by Burgess Excel.

The winners have been announced for the Burgess Excel Vet Awards, celebrating veterinary practices and professionals who improve the lives of the UK's pet rabbits and guinea pigs.

Comprised of veterinary professionals, industry experts and rabbit specialists, the judging panel selected one winner from each of the categories to receive a cash prize of £250 and a Burgess Excel Vet Awards trophy.

The winners are as follows:

Rabbit Vet of the Year

Winner - Dr Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge

Shortlisted
  •  Dr Amy Reynolds, Highcroft Vet Group, Bristol
  •  Dr Jenna Richardson, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
  •  Dr Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens
  •  Dr Heather Westron, Alma Veterinary Surgery, Scarborough

Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year

Winner - Abi Nell, Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn

Shortlisted
  •  Heidi Barringer, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
  •  Laura Chivers, Plymouth Veterinary Group, Plymouth  Sophie Enticknap, Vets4Pets, Hayling Island
  •  Emma Jeffrey, Galedin Vets, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year

Winner - Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff

Shortlisted
  •  Ashleigh Vets, Manchester
  •  Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
  •  Valley Exotics, Cardiff
  •  Westfield Vets, Wells

Rabbit Support Staff of the Year

Winner - Paiton Barker, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester

Shortlisted
  •  Jo Hambling, Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
  •  Khloe McNeill, Braid Vets, Edinburgh
  •  Carly Sedgemore, Bridges Vets, Cardiff
  •  Sophie Staniland, Valley Vet Hospital, Cardiff

Rabbit Student of the Year

Winner - Maria Jackson, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire

Shortlisted
  •  Joshua Sancho, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London

Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Campaign of the Year

Winner - Plymouth Vet Group, Plymouth

Shortlisted
  •  Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
  •  Medivet, Burton-on-Trent
  •  Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk

Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year

Winner - Holly House Vets, Leeds

Shortlisted
  •  Arun Vet Group, Chichester
  •  Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
  •  Westfield Vets, Wells
  •  Woodlands Veterinary Group, Ivybridge.


Winner of Rabbit Vet of the Year, Dr Madonna Livingstone, celebrated the achievement: “To have reached the finals again was fantastic, but to have actually won the award is completely overwhelming, especially considering how brilliant the other finalists are. 

“I am a firm believer that rabbits - and all other species - deserve the same high level of care as dogs and cats and knowing how many other veterinary professionals feel the same makes rabbits the ultimate winners every time!”

Abi Nell, Rabbit Nurse of the Year 2022, said: “I am really thrilled to have been chosen for this award. I love meeting and connecting with clients; being able to offer tips and advice for the best care for their rabbits is my favourite part of my job. 

“When a client calls the practice to ask for my advice instead of relying on an internet search, that is when I know I have really made an impact and developed a relationship with the pet owners.”

 

Image (C) Burgess Excel Vet Awards

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.