The Brooke receives BEVA

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) welfare award 2005, sponsored by The Blue Cross, is to be presented to the Brooke Hospital for Animals.

The award, which was introduced by BEVA in conjunction with The Blue Cross animal welfare charity five years ago, is a formal recognition of significant contributions made by veterinary surgeons and others to equine welfare.

It will be presented to Bill Swann BVM&S MRCVS, director of international development at the Brooke, at the opening ceremony of the 44th BEVA Annual Congress on Thursday 15 September, by the president of BEVA Lesley Barwise-Munro and Kerstin Alford, director of equine welfare at The Blue Cross.

The Brooke, which was founded some 70 years ago, relieves the suffering of some half a million working horses, donkeys and mules in the developing world every year. Working in parts of Africa, Middle East, South America and Asia, where the need is greatest, it has more than 500 local staff working in the field, a fifth of which are vets, through a network of mobile veterinary and field clinics. It actively seeks to prevent health and welfare problems by educating and training those who rely on their animals for their own and their families’ livelihood.

John Rutter, chief executive of The Blue Cross said: “We are delighted to give this award to the Brooke for its admirable work every day with working mules, donkeys and horses overseas. Its vital contribution during times of war, terrorism and natural disasters is an important part of The Blue Cross's own history when we treated thousands of French horses at the frontline during the Great War. It is unlikely that any organisation or individual has done more for the welfare of equines throughout the world than the Brooke.”

Mike Baker, chief executive of the Brooke, continued: “It is a great honour to have been recognised by BEVA and The Blue Cross, and to be awarded this wonderful accolade. For the last 70 years, our dedicated veterinary teams have been working incredibly hard to relieve the suffering of millions of working equine animals worldwide – animals that are so crucial to the survival of millions of people - and it is testament to their skill and compassion that we have been chosen for this award.”

With a history of caring for horses dating back to 1897, equine welfare plays a vital role in The Blue Cross’s work today. The charity has two specialist equine welfare centres in Sussex and Oxfordshire, which provide rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming facilities for hundreds of abandoned, neglected, ill-treated or unwanted horses and ponies. A third equine centre will be opened in 2006 at Rolleston in Staffordshire to further the Blue Cross's equine welfare work nationwide.

Note to Editors
The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing information, advice and practical support for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets fees. For further information visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk

In 1934, Mrs. Dorothy Brooke founded the Brooke in Egypt to save ex-British cavalry horses abandoned in Egypt after World War One. Today, the Brooke has grown into an international lifesaver reaching over 500,000 working equine animals each year in Egypt, Jordan, India and Pakistan and through partnerships in Afghanistan, Kenya and Guatemala, ensuring they are healthy, happy and fit for work - and benefiting the several million family members who are supported by the labours of their animals. www.thebrooke.org

The Brooke will have a stand at this year’s BEVA Congress, kindly sponsored by Ev-Veterinary Products. Ltd.

Media contact:  Sam Cordwell
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