The RCVS President Kate Richards has issued a statement in support of Ukraine, whilst one practitioner, dental Specialist Bob Partridge, has donated a day's takings and is encouraging others to do the same. 

Kate said: "In recent days we have watched the unfolding events in Ukraine in horror, shock and with tremendous sadness.

"We are determined to offer as much help and support as we can to our Ukrainian veterinary colleagues fleeing this crisis and seeking refuge in the UK.

To that end, the College offers a financial support scheme for refugees which is immediately available for Ukrainian veterinary surgeons with refugee status.

The scheme enables refugee vets to take the RCVS Statutory Examination for free, offers financial support to attend exams, free access to the RCVS library and free membership of BSAVA, BVA, BEVA, BCVA and VMG.

In addition, whilst Russian-based business interests comprise less than 0.1% of the College's investment portfolio, it has instructed its fund managers to get rid of all Russian investments at the very earliest opportunity. 

Meanwhile, veterinary dentist Bob Partridge has donated a day's takings from his Harrogate-based, Specialist-led small animal dental referral practice, VetDentist, to the British Red Cross Ukraine.

He said: "I got home late and exhausted, turned on the news, and knew that my “tough day” was as nothing compared to the troubles, the fear and the pain experienced by the people of Ukraine."

Other members of Bob's team followed suit, as did the team at Training-Progress, and they hope others will do the same. 

Bob said: "Please put your money where your mouth (or keyboard) is!"

https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal

Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 Aleksej Leonov

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