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Vetlife seeks volunteer ambassadors
Vetlife ambassadors attend events and engage with the community.
Ambassadors raise awareness of the charity's work with the veterinary community.

Veterinary charity Vetlife has launched an appeal for new volunteer ambassadors to join its team.

As an ambassador, volunteers will play an important role for the charity, raising awareness of its important work.

Ambassadors will be tasked with spreading the word of Vetlife’s fundraising activities and engaging with new communities. Vetlife supports ambassadors by providing them with tools and resources to attend events, give talks and deliver presentations.

All volunteers receive constant training and support.

Vetlife is a charity run exclusively for members of the UK veterinary community, providing them and their families with the help they need for emotional, health or financial concerns.

Among its support services is its confidential helpline, which is available by phone or email. The Vetlife helpline is managed by trained volunteers from across the veterinary industry, and intends to offer a non-judgemental listening service – directing callers to specialist help if needed.

Vetlife’s financial support services can provide advice and a range of grants to veterinary professionals. The service has funded professional advice on issues such as debt and state benefits.

This can support younger people with keeping their homes if they need to recover from physical or mental health problems before returning to work, while older people or those unable to work may benefit from a better quality of life.

Its Vetlife Health Support services can also give professional support for those struggling with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Vetlife volunteer Maurice Kelly said: “I like to volunteer for events so that I can chat to a wide range of practice personnel and keep abroad of what is happening in the veterinary industry and the current issues.

“Event volunteering is also a great opportunity to meet some of the Vetlife staff and other volunteers.”

Michelle Gratton, donor relations manager, added: “Working with our ambassadors who, not only have a deep understanding of the profession, but also a passion for what we do allows us to engage effectively with our audience.”

If you are interested in becoming a Vetlife Ambassador, visit the Vetlife website.

Image © Vetlife

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."