May News
May has been a mixed month weather wise, but due to end on a high over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend! So far there had been no need for the paddling pools and doggie cooling mats, but it looks like that could soon change ...
We were lucky with the weather earlier in the month, when we supported the 40th anniversary Sawston Fun Run. A few of our team were brave enough to run, whilst others (who would prefer not to be named) were foolish enough to once again don giant dog and cat costumes, bringing joy (and just a little terror) to many small children! It was a good chance to meet our clients in a different context, and to find out more about the charities and community groups based in the area. We were really impressed by the fantastic turn out and the abundant community spirit.
We wanted to do something a bit different with our Paws & People pet health plan. Those of you who are already signed up are hopefully aware that we donate £1 of each payment, each month, to local charities and community groups. The groups we are supporting this quarter are Cambridge Cancer Help Centre, The Challis Trust, and Shelford and Stapleford Strikers Football Club (SASS). To find out more about how these organisations benefit our local community, please visit the CSV Community section of our website
https://www.churchstreetvets.co.uk/csv-community
Last Sunday, we joined the Family Pets Service at St Andrews Church in Stapleford. The Reverend Matt Lewis led the service, blessing pets both past and present and reminding us of our duty to care for all living things. We thought it was a lovely, reflective service and it was great to see so many clients and their very well behaved dogs in attendance. For those of you who couldn’t make it, but have a much loved pet who is no longer with us, please do email in a photo for the ‘gone but not forgotten’ section of our website, and we can remember them together.
There were a few, rather sudden changes to the rules around pet travel earlier in the month. Since Brexit, UK residents have required an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they take a pet to Europe. However, some people have been able to use an EU issued pet passport to travel in and out of the UK with their pet. The rules have now changed, and owners will only be allowed to use an EU issued pet passport for travel if their main residence is within mainland Europe. There is more information available via the link below, or please do call the surgery if you have any pet travel queries.
https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/animal-health-certificate-ahc
Last but not least, May is Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month. This campaign runs every May and celebrates what it means to be a Registered Veterinary Nurse, (RVN) raising awareness of the significant contributions made by veterinary nurses to animal health and welfare. We are lucky to have 4 brilliant nurses on our team, Amber, Sarah, Cat and Maia. Our nurses work hard, often behind the scenes, setting up theatre, assisting during surgeries, dispensing medications, nursing inpatients, carrying out minor procedures as well as offering reassurance and invaluable advice to clients. We thought they deserved a special mention this May, and very much hope you agree!
With Best Wishes, Harriet, Patrick and all the CSV team.