Wales introduces compulsory poultry housing measures

The research has important implications for refining animal welfare practices.

Tickling has been shown to produce a positive emotional response in laboratory rats. Now, new research, led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has revealed that juvenile male rats prefer a rougher style of play than females.

In the study, SRUC research fellow Dr Vincent Bombail and Professor Alistair Lawrence at the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Group explored how juvenile rats of both sexes respond to different styles of tickling.

Dr Bombail said: “Our results confirm that tickling is generally rewarding for both sexes, but males seem to prefer a rougher style of play, with more vigorous stimulation. Interestingly, female rats responded more positively when pinning was minimised, suggesting a need for sex-specific refinements in handling protocols.”

In the study, the team assessed whether reducing the intensity of tickling, particularly the use of “pinning” (placing rats on their back and tickling their belly), and introducing more flexible interactions, would reduce individual variation in emotional response.

The research has important implications for refining animal welfare practices, particularly for laboratory animals, and for understanding the biology of positive affective states (animal happiness).

Dr Bombail continued: “This isn’t just about tickling rats, it’s about using science to refine how we interact with animals in our care. By understanding sex-specific preferences, we can design enrichment and handling practices that are truly beneficial for all animals.”

The study, "Refinement of tickling protocols in male and female juvenile rats" is published in F1000Research.

Image (C) Bilanol/Shitterstock.com.

The awards celebrate unsung heroes within the veterinary profession.

Nominations for the 2026 BSAVA awards are now open.

Eight award categories are available this year, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to veterinary science, research, clinical practice, education and small animal welfare.

Entries are open until 9 January 2026, and nominations are welcome from both BSAVA members and non-members. 

BSAVA honorary secretary Adam Gow said: “Each year, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on individuals who have truly made a difference in our profession. Nominating a colleague is a meaningful way to show appreciation and celebrate the impact they’ve had, so we encourage everyone to get involved and put forward those who inspire them.”

The 2026 BSAVA Award categories are:

• The Bourgelat Award - For outstanding international contribution to small animal practice or science in their widest context.
  
• The Simon Award - Recognising contributions to the advancement of all aspects of small animal surgery.
  
• The Woodrow Award - For significant contributions to the advancement of small animal medicine.
  
• The Des Thompson Award - New for 2026, this award recognises individuals who have had a significant impact upon general practice and/or their community.
  
• The Blaine Award - For contributions to the advancement of all aspects of non‑client facing small animal veterinary medicine.
  
• The BSAVA Veterinary Nurse Award - Recognising outstanding contributions to the advancement of small animal veterinary nursing.
  
• The Ray Butcher Award - For a non-veterinary individual who has been an ‘unsung hero’ by making a significant contribution to animal welfare in the community.
  
• The J.A. Wight Memorial Award - For a qualified veterinarian who has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of companion animals. Presented by the Blue Cross.

Find full details and nomination forms at bsava.com/awards

Image (C) BSAVA.

RCVS Knowledge has published the findings of a major research project. 

Veterinary charity RCVS Knowledge has published findings from its first major research project on delivering and supporting contextualised care in practice.

The report comprises more than 1,000 insights from veterinary team members and dog and cat owners, showing a groundswell of support for contextualised care. 

Veterinary professionals cited barriers such as a lack of continuity of care, difficulty communicating costs, and feeling discomfort when not providing “gold standard” care. 

Standardised protocols and financial targets, as well as fear of regulatory scrutiny, complaints and clinical failure, were also described as getting in the way of contextualised care being delivered.

Pet owners cited emotional barriers, such as distress when their pet is unwell, and guilt when unable to afford all the treatment options. Most owners also expressed a desire for more reliable diagnosis and treatment options online, and a need for greater cost transparency. 

Sally Everitt, RCVS Knowledge clinical lead for evidence, says: “It’s been so important to bring together a range of perspectives from a large number of veterinary team members and pet owners to inform these recommendations. 

“The evidence base around the barriers and facilitators for contextualised care has been scant and we hope that our new research provides an evidence base that will help organisations and practices to support all vet teams to deliver care that is adapted to each animal, its owner and the wider context.” 

Katie Mantell, RCVS Knowledge chief executive officer, adds: “The strength of support for the benefits of contextualised care for animals, owners and veterinary teams has been striking. There is now an opportunity for the veterinary community to pull together to build on the good contextualised care already being delivered to embed a contextualised care approach to all veterinary care. 

“At RCVS Knowledge, we’re committed to working with everyone across the veterinary sector, and with pet owners, to support the translation of these recommendations into actions.”   

The full report and the roadmap summarising its recommendations is available on the RCVS Knowledge website.

Image (C) Orion Production/Shutterstock.com

The charity vaccinated over 220,000 dogs during a two-week campaign. 

UK veterinary charity Worldwide Veterinary Service has completed a record-breaking rabies drive of dogs in Cambodia, vaccinating more than 221,000 dogs during a two-week campaign.

The project forms part of the charity’s Mission Rabies campaign in collaboration with the Cambodian government. It comprised of 343 vaccination teams, working across the Provinces of Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Battambang. 

On a single day alone, the charity vaccinated an incredible 10,000 dogs — the highest ever recorded on any of its global campaigns. A mobile treatment team was also deployed during the campaign, providing veterinary assistance when volunteers identified animals in need of urgent care. 

Luke Gamble, founder and CEO of Mission Rabies/WVS said: “Vaccinating over 220,000 dogs against this deadly disease during this year’s two week campaign is a massive achievement. This isn’t easy work – it means going door-to-door, through entire provinces, in intense heat, working from dawn until dusk to reach every dog we can. 

“Our NUVA teams are nothing short of inspiring – that’s why I’m so incredibly grateful to our dedicated partners, our amazing volunteers, and the tireless crew on the ground who make this possible”
 
He continued: “It has been incredibly uplifting to see that year three into this campaign, we now have the support of the communities where we work. Families bringing their dogs forward for vaccination. This is what true collaboration looks like. This is how we beat rabies. And together, we can stop people and animals dying from this horrific disease – once and for all.”

British nurse Robyn Thomson, whose mother made headlines when she passed away from rabies earlier this year, played a crucial role in the campaign.

Robyn  and  her husband  Andrew  worked  alongside over 750 people  participating in  the campaign. More than  50 international volunteers and  over 250 Cambodian  veterinary students also helped to form  vaccination  teams on the ground.  

Dr Amy Nicole Lewis, international project manager at WVS, said: “We collaborated with Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and National Institute of Agriculture (NIA) for the 3rd year running. The participation of veterinary students is such a wonderful addition to this project. We know now that every student who graduates as a vet in Cambodia will have a knowledge of rabies and how to prevent it.”

Image (C) Worldwide Veterinary Service.

Over half of Ragdolls in veterinary care had at least one health condition.

A study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has uncovered new insights into the health conditions experienced by Ragdoll cats.

The Ragdoll, which is one of the UK’s most popular cat breeds, faces a number of health risks, including dental disease, digestive problems and weight issues.

It is hoped that the results of RVC’s VetCompass programme will support veterinary professionals, breeders and Ragdoll owners to better understand the cat breed. This could lead to better monitoring of breed health and earlier diagnosis of medical conditions.

Researchers from the RVC drew upon the veterinary health records of more than 1.25 million Ragdoll cats in the UK. They then examined the health and lifespan of over 21,000 Ragdoll cats under primary veterinary care during 2019.

Using this data, the research team sought to create a profile for the breed.

It was determined that the the median adult bodyweight was 4.46kg. Male Ragdolls were found to be significantly heavier than females, with an average weight of 4.97kg compared to 3.83kg.

Based on 125,000 bodyweight records, researchers discovered that Ragdolls gain weight rapidly during their first year and continue growing until they are two years old. This is a particularly notable factor for cat owners, who should be prepared to care for a relatively large cat when they decide to own a Ragdoll.

The records also found that 61.28 per cent of Ragdolls from the cohort had at least one health disorder during 2019.

From these cats, the most common disorder was identified as periodontal disease, affecting 8.84 per cent of cats. The other disorders were diarrhoea (7.11 per cent); obesity (6.91 per cent) and overgrown nails (5.68 per cent).

Among the 32 most common disorders, researchers discovered that female Ragdolls had a higher probability of postoperative wound complications and ear discharge. Meanwhile male Ragdolls faced a higher probability of of becoming overweight or obese.

It is also theorised that Ragdolls are predisposed to digestive disorders, which may be linked to higher rates of feline coronavirus exposure.

The median age of death was 12.85 years. Among the most common causes of death were kidney disorders (21 per cent) and poor quality of life (13 per cent).

This life expectancy, and its causes, are in line with those of most other cat breeds. However, the study may still support more targeted health monitoring, earlier diagnosis and improved preventative care.

Dan O’Neill, professor in companion animal epidemiology at the RVC, said: “The Ragdoll has a growing reputation as a good option for owners seeking to own a pure breed cat but owning any type of cat brings big responsibilities.

“The results show that pure breed Ragdoll cats live as long as their random-bred ‘moggie’ cousins and that owners similarly need to ensure good dental care, flea treatment, nail care and weight control but the Ragdolls need more grooming care.”

The full study can be found in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics.

Image © Shutterstock

Judges praised the charity for clearly recognising wellbeing culture. 

A leading equine charity has received a wellbeing award for going above and beyond to support its staff.

Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys recently attended the BVA Wellbeing awards in London (16 October), which celebrate the dedication and achievements of veterinary teams across the UK. 

Judges awarded Brooke as a non-clinical veterinary workplace for clearly recognising wellbeing culture — from wellbeing activities and regular staff consultations to a survey that helps raise and address concerns. 

Global head of people & culture at Brooke, Lin McGarry, said: “I am honoured and extremely proud on behalf of the People and Culture team at Brooke that our efforts to prioritise wellbeing across the organisation have been recognised with this award from the BVA. 
 
“By enabling our people to work in a healthy environment, both mentally and physically, we are all better able to carry out our mission to ensure that working horses, donkeys and mules are free from suffering and have a life worth living.  
 
“Brooke works hard to build a psychologically safe and inclusive culture, where everyone feels able to be themselves and contribute. We encourage opportunities to continue learning, celebrate each other's success and connect on a social level.” 

Image (C) Brooke. 

Battersea celebrates landmark win for tenants. 

A new law giving renters the right to request a pet, which a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse, has passed its final stage in parliament.

The passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill brings an end to blanket pet bans in rental properties across England, enabling millions of renters to keep or welcome pets into their homes.  

It follows years of campaigning by animal charities, including Battersea, who have long advocated for fairer rental policies to keep animals and their owners together.

Battersea chief executive Peter Laurie, said the move marks a significant milestone for pets and their owners across England.

"The passing of the Renters' Rights Act ensures that blanket pet bans will no longer be an obstacle to pet ownership, opening homes to millions of responsible tenants and their animals," he said.

"At Battersea, we've long campaigned for this change. We've seen firsthand the heartbreak caused by restrictive housing policies, of families forced to choose between keeping a home and keeping their beloved pets. Now, more people will be able to enjoy the companionship and wellbeing benefits pets bring, regardless of whether they rent or own their home.” 

Despite the new act, Battersea warns there is more work to be done to ensure the rental market becomes truly inclusive for pets and their owners. 

Peter continued: "While the Bill marks real progress in creating a fairer rental sector for tenants, landlords, and pets, there is still more to be done to strengthen the legislation's pet provisions. Battersea remains committed to working with the government to see these improvements through and ensure a future where every tenant can experience the joys of pet ownership." 

©Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com

The World Horse Welfare conference will take place on 21st November. 

World Horse Welfare is set to host its annual conference in November, welcoming researchers and experts from across the globe.

Titled ‘Through the horse’s eyes’, the conference will bring together elite riders, veterinary professionals, researchers, and a zookeeper to explore what makes a horse and the implications for how we should manage our relationships with them.

More than 800 in-person and virtual guests from the UK and around the world are expected to attend the conference in London. They will explore what we now know about how horses think and feel, what they consider important, what they are capable of, and what they are not capable of.

WHW chief executive, Roly Owers, said:“We all like to think we give our horses what they need to have a good life, but how much do we really consider how they experience the lives we create for them? Over the past decade, we’ve learned so much and now a mountain of evidence is challenging many of our beliefs about what a good life for a horse should look like…

“I’d urge anyone who’s ever wondered about their horse’s perspective on the lives we give them to sign up to attend – and to reflect afterwards on the insights we gain from this year’s speakers.”

The conference takes place on Friday, 21 November, and will be chaired by the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP. Among the speakers are Pippa Funnell MBE, Olympic eventer and World Horse Welfare Patron, and Rick Hester, Director of Animal Care and Wellbeing at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado.

The discussion panel will be chaired by David Eades, who spent three decades as a frontline presenter and broadcaster for the BBC.

Image © happylights/Shutterstock.com

The animals continue to be overlooked in rescue centres.

Almost half of the cats in RSPCA’s care are black or black and white, and are often the last to be chosen for adoption, according to new figures. 

Statistics published by the charity show that black and black and white cats made up 47 per cent of felines in their care in the last year alone. 

A total of 1,096 black and 1,501 black-and-white cats arrived at their National Animal Centres. This is more than 10 times the number of white cats, and over five times more than ginger cats.

Despite their high numbers, black cats remain in the care of the RSPCA for 71 days, and black and white cats for 69 days, compared to 64 days for tabbies. 

In light of these figures, the RSPCA is urging potential adopters to open their homes to a black cat as part of its month-long rehoming campaign, Adopter. 

Furthermore, with Halloween also just around the corner, the charity is seeking to dispel the spooky superstitions surrounding black cats — from myths and legends, to tales of witchcraft.

Alice Potter, RSPCA cat welfare expert, said: “Black cats are still being overlooked in rescue centres, often due to outdated superstitions and the myth that they bring bad luck. Sadly, they’re also sometimes seen as less ‘photogenic’ for social media, which can affect adoption interest.
 
“But the truth is, black cats are just as affectionate, playful and full of personality as any other cat”. 

Image (C) RSPCA.

The event marked the organisation’s 60th anniversary.

The winners of this year’s BVNA annual awards were revealed at a ceremony on Saturday, 11 October, celebrating inspiring individuals within the veterinary profession.

Held at the Telford International Centre, the event honoured the registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), student veterinary nurses (SVNs), and other members of the veterinary team who have made their mark on BVNA’s history or championed the profession both personally and professionally.

To mark the Association’s 60th year, the award categories were presented in memory of prominent individuals from the association’s history.

Among them are dedicated veterinary nurse and BVNA Council Member Jean Turner, and Jennifer Townson, one of the first Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliaries and the very first chairperson of BVNA when it was formed.

The Jean Turner Award - RVN of the Year was won by Karen Hatton, who was described by her nominees as ‘one of the most dedicated veterinary nurses within the profession — putting forward new ideas and solutions to help better the practice, and wanting the best for the animals in her care’.

Sophie Barnes scooped the Jennifer Townson Award - SVN of the Year for her determination in pursuing the Veterinary Care Assistant course whilst volunteering in practice. Having re-taken her GCSEs, Sophie is now undertaking veterinary nursing training and is said to be taking everything in her stride.

A new award, the Des Thompson Award — Veterinary Team Member, made its debut to celebrate any member of the veterinary team who is not an RVN/SVN and has made a real difference to a veterinary nursing colleague in their development. Des Thomson was a proud honorary member of BVNA and a huge supporter of the veterinary nursing community.

The award went to Carla England, who was nominated by her colleague for her hands-on approach and admirable support with running their practice. Working alongside one of the practice’s veterinary surgeons, Carla has written and run evening CPD classes specifically for veterinary nurses.

Finally, Lauryn Read won the VNJ Writer of the Year Award for her article in the June 2025 issue of the VNJ, entitled ‘Caring for those who care for animals’. One nominator wrote that Lauryn is passionate about raising the profile of mental health within the profession, striving to talk openly and encourage others to do the same with regard to mental health in the workplace.”

BVNA president Sarah Holliday said: “Presenting our annual awards at BVNA Congress is a true highlight of our calendar. In BVNA’s 60th year, we were especially delighted to celebrate these inspiring individuals, showcasing their contributions to the veterinary nursing profession and their teams. This year’s special award categories were dedicated to a handful of remarkable individuals who have made their mark on BVNA’s history and who championed the veterinary nursing profession both personally and professionally.

“I would like to thank all those who submitted a nomination in any of these award categories. We know that being put forwards for an award means a great deal and provides a deep sense of recognition to all of our nominees. It is an honour to read through all the inspiring nominations we receive.

“I would also like to congratulate all of the deserving winners and finalists across all of our awards. All should feel exceptionally proud that their dedication to the veterinary nursing profession has been recognised by those around them. It is a real honour for BVNA to be able to share the incredible work being carried out by veterinary nurses, and in support of veterinary nurses.”

Image (C) BVNA.