Strangles Awareness Week 2022 seeks veterinary ambassadors
"We know from our own research that vets are the most trusted source of information when it comes to strangles for horse owners" - Andie McPherson, Redwings.
The Strangles Working Group, consisting of some of the UK’s leading welfare charities, veterinary colleges and organisations, has launched an appeal for ambassadors for its 2022 Strangles Awareness Week.
Soon to be entering its third year, Strangles Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of this common infectious disease amongst horse owners. The 2021 event, which took place 3-9 May, was supported by more than 180 ambassadors, 63 of which were veterinary practices and members of the veterinary press.
Following the success of the 2021 campaign, organisers are now seeking veterinary ambassadors for 2022, which will take place from 2-8 May. Ambassadors will join a mailing list to receive exclusive Strangles Awareness Week content for their social media channels and guidance on sharing their own experiences of the disease.
“We know from our own research that vets are the most trusted source of information when it comes to strangles for horse owners, so we’ve been delighted to see the number of practices supporting the Week growing year on year,” commented Andie McPherson, Redwings’ campaigns manager.
“One in three Ambassadors from this year’s campaign also commented that they had never or rarely posted about strangles on their social media pages prior to the Week, so it gave them a platform to proactively raise the topic with their followers and clients and start constructive conversations around the disease’s prevention and management.”
Established in 2020, Strangles Awareness Week is the collaborative effort of The British Horse Society, Intervacc, Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Scotland’s Rural College’s Premium Assured Strangles Scheme (PASS), Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES) and World Horse Welfare.
For the first time, the 2021 event was supported by a host of international equine and veterinary organisations, including Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute, MSD Animal Health in the Netherlands and the University of Melbourne. The event reached some 310,000 online, while millions more received the Week’s messages via global veterinary and equine publications.
With COVID-19 restrictions easing, organisers hope that next year’s event will provide an opportunity for vet practices to host client evenings or talks at local livery yards.
Those interested in signing up to be an Ambassador for Strangles Awareness Week 2022 should email campaigns@redwings.co.uk
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
