Cat the Vet receives BVA Outstanding Service Award
BVA praised Cat the Vet for empowering pet owners to make informed decisions.
Cat Henstridge, a small animal veterinary surgeon and social media influencer, was awarded the BVA Outstanding Service Award at this year’s BVA Live.
Ms Henstridge, known online as Cat the Vet, received the award in recognition of her contribution to advancing public understanding of veterinary science and animal welfare.
Through her social media platform, Ms Henstridge shares evidence-based veterinary science to her followers. By communicating veterinary topics in an accessible way, BVA says that she empowers pet owners to make informed decisions about their pets’ health and welfare.
Ms Henstridge said: “My aim has always been to champion that and help the public gain a greater understanding of who we are and why we do what we do. To now be considered a leader by my peers and someone worthy of this award is a huge honour and I could not be more grateful.”
Rob Williams, BVA president, said: “Cat’s social media presence helps to endear the profession to the general public and communicate complex veterinary topics in an accessible way to a wider audience.
“Her willingness to put herself forward in a public space on behalf of the profession helps to tackle misinformation online and champion vets, as well as directly helping pet owners to make informed decisions about their animal’s care.”
The BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) has been awarded to Professor Tom McNeilly.
Prof McNeilly, who is director of the Moredun Research Institute, has contributed a number of projects exploring vaccinology of multiple animal species. With work spanning parasitic, viral and bacterial research, his output has resulted in patents and commercial income from worldwide sources.
His work at the Moredun Research Institute sees him lead scientific teams working on preventing endemic diseases.
Prof McNeilly said: “I am truly honored to receive the Dalrymple-Champneys cup and medal. This list of past recipients is truly awe-inspiring, and I am very grateful to BVA and the selection committee for giving me such a prestigious award.
“As with many things in life, this has been a real team effort, and my veterinary career has been supported by many others.”
Meanwhile the BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) went to Dr Romain Pizzi.
Dr Pizzi, who is a former president of BVA’s Scottish Branch, is recognised for working overseas with a range of wild and endangered species. He is known for performing and publishing a number of global firsts for wildlife medicine.
As well as pioneering with new techniques, Dr Pizzi also teaches such techniques to the wider veterinary community across the world.
Dr Pizzi said: “I do hope many other British vets are inspired to help their veterinary colleagues in developing countries in all the many different facets of veterinary care we now work in, to improve the health and welfare of the maximum number of animals on the planet we can."
Image © BVA
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
