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Agony Aunt Digs for Charity
Denise was joined by veterinary staff from the current Sunderland PDSA animal hospital to celebrate the start of this exciting project.
The PDSA have welcomed the nation’s favourite agony aunt, Denise Robertson, to the site of its forthcoming £1.6million Sunderland animal hospital to kick-off building work.

Denise was joined by veterinary staff from the current Sunderland PDSA animal hospital, PDSA Senior Vet, Ian McClive, Head Nurse, Lindsay Atkinson and Manager, Michael Laing, to celebrate the start of this exciting project, which will benefit thousands of pets in the area.
 
Denise said: “PDSA does incredible work and is a vital service for local pet owners, especially in the current climate. I’m delighted to be invited to dig the first hole and I cannot wait to see the new hospital up and running later this year.”
 
The hospital fundraising appeal is now in full swing and PDSA is calling for people to help raise funds.
 
PDSA unveiled plans for the state-of-the-art animal hospital in October 2009 and launched an appeal to raise the £1.6million needed to build and equip it. The new hospital, located on North Hylton Road, Castletown, will replace the current premises on Kings Road, Southwick, and will give PDSA the capacity to treat the ever-increasing number of pets desperately needing its help.
 
The new hospital will be PDSA’s most advanced and eco-friendly facility to date. It will contain six consulting rooms, two operating theatres, a dental theatre, a digital X-ray room, a diagnostic laboratory, canine, feline and small furry pet recovery wards and a critical care unit for infectious cases.
 
Ian continues: “We’re hoping local animal lovers will support us by fundraising or donating whatever they can to help us reach our target.”

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.