I seem to be strangely excited by the prospect of No Mow May. I'm not sure exactly why — it could in part be that I am a little lazy in the garden, and would rather not do something I don't have to do, but I think it's more to do with the thought that wild flowers will appear in my lawn. I am looking forward to seeing what starts to grow, while helping the bees at the same time!
I am very fond of a month, or a week, or even a day, and there are some really important ones to be getting involved with this spring and early summer. May is Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month. Run by the BVNA since 2005, it provides a time when veterinary nurses can unashamedly promote themselves and their profession. This year's theme is sustainability, with the tagline ‘I'm a veterinary nurse and I'm human too’. The current COVID-19 restrictions may make it seem difficult to get involved, but with social media there are lots of possibilities. For example, my veterinary practice ran a Facebook live event – ‘Let's talk…veterinary nursing skills!’
June is National Microchipping Month. In April 2016 it became a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped from 8 weeks old. Microchips are vital for enabling lost pets to be reunited with their owners. Although a requirement for dogs, it is not currently a legal requirement for cats — in addition, many owners fail to update their details with the microchip database company when they move house, so it is important that we all get involved to raise awareness of these issues. Some of the most heartwarming stories on Twitter are of animals reunited with their owners, sometimes after considerable periods of time. In October 2020 it also became a legal requirement for all horses, ponies and donkeys to be microchipped. This will help prevent horses from being stolen, and will also make it possible to trace the owners of any abandoned or mistreated horses.
Mental Health Awareness week was held May 10–16. This week provides an opportunity for veterinary professionals to discuss mental wellbeing. While this issue of The Veterinary Nurse will be out after this week has ended, it is essential that we all continue to think about our own mental health, and that of our colleagues. It is important that we ask one another how we are feeling — apparently if you ask twice you are more likely to get an honest response! Please remember to be kind to yourselves. Take some time to get outside — even walking through the rain can be uplifting. If you need to talk to someone then Vetlife is always there for you. Their helpline is open 24-hours a day, every day of the year: 0303 040 2551.
On May 12 Defra published its Action plan for Animal Welfare. This is full of excellent initiatives. Among others this Action Plan has pledged to prohibit the importation of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails into Great Britain, it promises to tackle the trade in puppy smuggling, crack down on pet theft and end the keeping primates as pets. The Action Plan has asserted Defra's commitment to recognise the sentience of animals in law, and has commissioned research into the sentience of decapod crustaceans and cephalopods. Many of these issues have been campaigned for by members of the caring veterinary profession and it is wonderful to know that your voices are being heard.
In June The Wildlife Trust holds its ‘30 days wild’. Undoubtedly this will enable me to leave my lawn for another month — so I will be able to enjoy nature, help the bees, and spend more time signing those vital petitions.