First Charity For Helping Animals With MRSA

The Bella Moss Foundation, the world’s only organisation supporting owners of pets infected by bacterial diseases such as Clostridium difficile (C-Diff) and MRSA, has been awarded full UK registered charity status (1122246). The Bella Moss Foundation was set up in 2005 by former actress Jill Moss after the death of her beloved Samoyed, Bella, from MRSA. At that time, there was virtually no recognition that pets are also vulnerable to so called Superbug infections. MRSA and C Diff are bacteria that can easily spread between humans and animals. “Over the last three years we have helped hundreds of pet owners as bacterial diseases like MRSA and Clostridium difficile emerge to affect animals,” says Jill Moss. “Unfortunately, there is still no central register of known cases so it is difficult to say exactly how many pets are being infected in Britain. “This is something The Foundation has been calling for as a matter of urgency because although reported numbers are still low compared to human infection rates, we have no idea how many are missed or unreported each year.” The Bella Moss Foundation works to support owners whose pets are suspected or diagnosed with a serious infection by providing practical information and liasing with vets so that they can get the best advice when dealing with difficult cases. The Foundation also provides Continuing Professional Development seminars and educational conferences for veterinarians so they can update their knowledge on resistant strains of bacteria and treatment approaches. The Foundation also co-ordinates an international team of veterinary experts from established academic institutions who present at conferences and provide support to veterinarians worldwide. It is now developing the first on-line training resource for veterinary nurses and other practice staff dealing with animal infections. Jill Moss herself has become a recognised lay authority on the subject and represents Britain’s pet owners on Parliamentary animal welfare groups and Defra committees. The award of full charitable status means that The Foundation can now look forward to gaining more support for its work in the future: “This is marvellous news for The Foundation as we are now in a position to raise funds for academic research and educational events that will increase vets’ knowledge of MRSA in animals,” says Jill. The Foundation, which will be launching its Charity status at Crufts this year, has attracted support from across the human and animal welfare spectrum. Its Patron is Claire Rayner, President of the Patients’ Association, and its Vice President is Peter Purves, the former Blue Peter presenter and familiar presence at many of the UK’s companion dog events who says, "I am delighted to hear that the valuable work done in the area of infectious diseases in animals can now move on to the next phase due to the Bella Moss Foundation's new status as a charity. The extent of MRSA and other diseases in dogs is not really known, only the fact that the numbers are rising. Vets will welcome the support and information provided by the charity - I can see nothing but good coming from this.” Marc Abraham, a familiar face to those who watch The Paul O’Grady Show on Channel Four, also supports their work. "The work done by The Bella Moss Foundation is exactly what vets and pet owners have needed. The Foundation has made the profession sit up and take notice of MRSA when it probably didn't want to and it's fantastic that it now has Charity status. Vets and owners have to work together, with the same information, to make sure that pets have the very best of care. As a profession we have to be more focused on the best way to deal with MRSA and other serious infections, and Jill and The Bella Moss Foundation is helping us do just that." Poignantly, Jill Moss is no longer a dog owner herself: “I’ve never really got over the loss of Bella. She was my life companion. Maybe one day I will be ready again, who knows. In the meantime I have my work with the Foundation to keep me busy and also to keep her memory alive.” Come and meet Bella Moss at Crufts NEC Birmingham Friday 7th March Midday The Bella Moss Foundation stand / Stand 174 Hall 5 Channel 4 Paul O Grady resident vet, Kennel Club representatives, Peter Purves (vice patron of BMF) and veterinary students helping on the stand toast the new charity status of the Bella Moss Foundation. Contact Jill Moss 07860 879079

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