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RNLI lifeguard rescues budgie on a beach
Blue the budgie with the RNLI lifeguards.

The bird had travelled almost nine miles away from home.

An adventurous budgie who took a four-day trip away from home has been reunited with his owner, thanks to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Blue went missing from his home in Wales but days later, he was found on Aberavon beach – almost nine miles away - by a group of schoolchildren.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Sophie Phillips was called out to the unusual rescue and cared for the bird while her team tried to locate the owner.

After appealing to local vets, it was a Facebook post by the lifeguards that eventually caught the attention of Blue's owner, and the pair were finally reunited.

After the rescue, Sophie said: “The last thing I expected to see was a budgie on the beach, and we were so glad we were able to help reunite the bird with its owner’.

Grateful for the efforts of Sophie and the lifeguards, Blue's owner made a charitable donation to the RNLI.

Image (C) RNLI.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.