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Scottish SPCA issues urgent appeal for blankets
The Scottish SPCA has been unable to accept used blankets owing to the contamination risk of COVID-19.
Charity 'struggling to keep up with demand'.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) has issued an urgent appeal for blankets for animals in their Lanarkshire and Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centres.

The animal welfare charity says that it has been unable to accept used or knitted soft furnishings owing to the links associated with COVID-19. The charity's Lanarkshire centre has already cared for some 600 animals this year, and the Aberdeenshire Centre has looked after more than 500.

“We’re struggling to keep up with the demand for blankets at the moment,” said Lanarkshire centre manager, Gillian Boyle. “Normally we have lots of donations of second-hand blankets, towels and sheets coming in but because our centre is closed to the public due to the coronavirus crisis we’ve been unable to accept these like we normally would."

She added that the charity was only able to access brand new items due to the potential risk of contamination form items that are used.

“We ask that people do not donate duvets or pillows as we find our animals can easily tear these apart. We’re also in need of cleaning cloths for our cattery as we use around 30 of these a day and cat litter as we’re down to our last five bags."

Donations can be sent via Amazon Wishlist to Lanarkshire at https://amzn.to/30I4baX and Aberdeenshire at https://amzn.to/2XVL9Mt

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk