Report highlights welfare enforcement failings
APGAW sets our four-stage plan to fix “broken” system
The animal welfare enforcement system in England and Wales is failing due to inconsistent, under-resourced systems, despite strong laws, a new report has found.
Published by the All-Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW), the report proposes a four-stage plan to fix what it calls a “broken enforcement system”.
It found that animal welfare is currently patchy, with too few well-trained inspectors, poor communication between agencies, and weak use of existing powers. It also notes that, as a result of the inconsistencies, animal cruelty and neglect often go undetected, while unethical operators exploit gaps in oversight.
To address this, the report sets out four key reforms, including properly trained animal welfare officers, improving welfare pay, greater public empowerment and closer collaboration between councils, animal charities, police and government.
APGAW stresses that enforcement is not about heavy-handed regulation, but about prevention, education and smarter use of existing laws. It also highlights links between poor animal welfare enforcement and wider social issues, such as dog attacks and domestic abuse.
Lord Trees, co-chair of the APGAW, said: “We already have strong animal welfare laws. The problem is that they are too often not enforced. Fixing enforcement is the single biggest opportunity to improve animal welfare in a generation.”
The full report, The Four Stages to Better Enforcement, is available on the APGAW website.
Image (C) Shutterstock/Osman Temizel.
Animal Welfare Strategy welcomed by charities
The strategy will tackle puppy farming and the snaring of wild animals.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has shared the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, which it says will protect and support the lives of pets, farmed animals and wild animals.
The generational reforms will seek to end practices such as puppy farming and puppy smuggling, as well as continuing to enforce tough laws against livestock worrying.
Companion animals are set to benefit from reformed dog breeding practices to improve canine health and welfare. This would reduce the amount of dogs becoming unwell, as well as putting an end to puppy farming.
The government will consider the introduction of licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations so they can complete relevant checks. It will also consult on the banning of electric shock collars.
The Strategy commits to promoting responsible dog ownership, with the view of protecting public safety.
Its measures for farmed animals will see the government move away from confinement systems, such as colony cages for laying hens and pig farrowing crates. It will address welfare issues arising from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs, as well as introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish. The government will also seek to promote the use of slow-growing meat chicken breeds.
Wild animals will benefit from bans on snare traps and trail hunting, which the government believes is used as a smokescreen for hunting. It is to introduce a close season for hares, reducing the number of adult hares shot and the number of young hares left motherless.
Thomas Schultz-Jagow, director of advocacy and prevention at RSPCA, said: “The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals. People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.
“As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to give all animals the protection they deserve."
The government will seek to deliver its strategy by the end of 2030.
Image © Nicole Piepgras/Shutterstock.com
EMS National Booking Database discontinued
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is to discontinue its RCVS Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) National Booking Database.
The decision was made by RCVS’ Education Committee on 25 November, after it found the majority of veterinary schools were unable to commit to the project at this time.
Development of the EMS database began in 2022, and was built based on consultation with veterinary students, EMS placement providers and veterinary schools. It was launched to placement providers in 2024 and shared with students in March this year.
RCVS says that, during its consultations, graduates had suggested EMS placements were valuable to their undergraduate studies, however access had been difficult.
The database aimed to streamline the EMS placement booking process for providers and support veterinary schools with implementing EMS. Students are also given comprehensive information to find placements suited to learning needs and personal circumstances.
Initial feedback from both providers and students was positive. RCVS reports hundreds of providers joining the system and appreciating the centralised system, while students praised its ease of use and range of features.
However, RCVS said it was unable to get the required commitment from veterinary schools.
Although a few veterinary schools had managed to fulfil their commitment to the project, the majority of schools were unable to take part in the project at the time. This was due to a range of IT and legal complexities.
RCVS is to provide support to the veterinary schools which are signed up, until the retirement of the software in February 2026.
Tim Hutchinson, vice-chair of the Education Committee, said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, as the Education Committee recognised both the substantial work from EMS providers in creating and maintaining their placement profiles, and the support shown from students using the database.
“RCVS staff and stakeholders have put a tremendous amount of effort into getting this system off the ground, however it could only have worked with all parties continuing to engage and, despite best efforts, this unfortunately has proved not to be.
“On behalf of the Education Committee, I would like to thank those stakeholders who signed up to the database for their engagement, and I share their frustration that this project did not succeed.”
Image © Media_Photos/Shutterstock.com
Tributes paid to Iain Douglas-Hamilton CBE
Tributes are being shared to Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton CBE, the founder and president of Save the Elephants, following his death at the age of 83.
The charity has shared that the renowned Scottish zoologist and conservationist passed away at his home in Nairobi on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Dr Douglas-Hamilton has been credited by the charity for revolutionising understanding of African elephants and their behaviour. He was just 23 when he started the first scientific study into the social behaviour of wild elephants.
However, when the herds he was following were getting killed for ivory, Dr Douglas-Hamilton turned his focus to elephant conservation.
He played a key part in exposing the ivory poaching crisis and, in the decade leading up to the ban of the international ivory trade, documented the destruction of over half of Africa’s elephants.
In 1993, Dr Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants, with a mission to secure a future for wild African elephants through research and safeguarding. He introduced the use of GPS tracking technology and aerial survey techniques to transform elephant monitoring and protection strategies.
When an estimated 100,000 elephants were killed by ivory poachers between 2010 and 2012, Dr Douglas-Hamilton testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. His science-based advocacy contributed to the closure of domestic ivory markets around the world, including China in 2018.
In 2013, he co-founded the Elephant Crisis Fund, which has supported 120 partners across 44 countries to carry out over 500 projects to protect elephants worldwide.
Frank Pope, Save the Elephants CEO and Dr Douglas-Hamilton’s son-in-law, said: “Iain changed the future not just for elephants, but for huge numbers of people across the globe. His courage, determination and rigour inspired everyone he met. Whether sitting quietly among elephants, poring over maps of their movements or circling above a herd in his beloved aircraft, that glint in his eye was there.
“He never lost his lifelong curiosity with what was happening inside the minds of one of our planet’s most intriguing creatures.”
Prince William, who is a royal patron of African wildlife charity Tusk, of which Dr Douglas-Hamilton was an ambassador, described him as "a man who dedicated his life to conservation and whose life's work leaves lasting impact on our appreciation for, and understanding of, elephants".
Meanwhile, Born Free co-founder and executive president Will Travers OBE and his mother Dame Virginia McKenna wrote: “Iain’s was a lifetime of service, and his legacy lives on through his family and the work of Save The Elephants.
“He was a true gentle man, an inspiration, and a friend whom we saw too infrequently but who was never far from our thoughts. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. His vision, bravery and compassion helped save the lives of countless individual elephants and changed the course of elephant conservation forever.”
Image © Indianapolis Zoo
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Clinical animal behaviourist
Claire Hodgson
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Hilary Orpet
Senior lecturer and veterinary nurse
Clara Ashcroft
Marketing and communications writer and journalist
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Veterinary physiotherapist and hydrotherapist
Stephanie Williams
Diagnostic radiographer
Norman Johnston
Dental and oral surgery specialist
Kieran Borgeat
Specialist in veterinary cardiology
Claire Hargrave
Animal behaviourist and lecturer
Emma Purnell
Veterinary nurse
John Hill
Bee enthusiast and experienced veterinary surgeon
John Matthews
Veterinary surgeon with a specific interest in goat care
Hayley Walters
Welfare and anaesthesia veterinary nurse
Helen Ballantyne
Human and veterinary nurse
Rob Tillyard
Specialising in veterinary practice management systems
Jane Ellison
Senior information scientist at the Veterinary Poisons Information Service
Alice Allbrook
James Yeates
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London Zoo primates open Christmas stockings
Gorillas and monkeys at London Zoo have celebrated Christmas early, as they opened stockings and sacks gifted by their zookeepers.
The festive sacks were filled with the animals’ favourite snacks, inviting the primates to forage for some nutritious food.
The Rainforest Life habitat, which is home to reptiles, monkeys and sloths, was decked with animal-safe seasonal decorations. The Christmas stockings were garnished with sweetcorn and hung on branches around the habitat.
The zoo’s saki monkeys leapt from stocking-to-stocking to rummage for their festive food.
In the Gorilla Kingdom, Kiburi, an adult silverback gorilla, was treated to two festive sacks to rummage through for tasty morsels. Meanwhile Gernot, a playful young silverback, was spotted running off with an armful of presents.
The fun enrichment forms part of London Zoo’s Magic of Christmas event, which runs until Sunday, 4 January. Until then, the zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland for its visitors and its animals.
Children are invited to join with Christmas activities, including festive animal talks and elf storytelling.
Visitors can also see more of the gorilla troop, including baby gorillas Venus and Juno, throughout the winter season. Venus’ birth in January 2024 formed part of the zoo’s endangered species breeding programme, helping boost the population of Western lowland gorillas.
As a result of poaching and disease, numbers of Western lowland gorillas have declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 25 years.
The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo runs from 22 November 2025 until 4 January 2026. Tickets for the festive experience are included with zoo entry.
Image © ZSL/Dominic Lipinski. Used with permission from ZSL.
Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research with the veterinary community. The Clinical Research Abstracts can be on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.
They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and must be summarised in 250 words.
Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students. Researchers whose work has direct relevance to practice issues may also submit abstracts.
Those selected to present will receive a complimentary ticket to BVA Live, and may also have the opportunity to present their abstract at London Vet Show.
Submissions are open until 6 March 2026.
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship
The survey is open to anyone working in the UK farming sector.
A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.
Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.
Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers, is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
Image (C) akslocum/Shutterstock.
Vet assistant gives rescue dog his forever home
Saluki Salty would cry all night in the hospital kennels.
A veterinary care assistant, who nursed an RSPCA rescue dog back to health, has spoken how she fell in love with her ‘perfect patient’ – so much so that she ended up adopting him.
Celine Garcia-Leoni, from the RSPCA’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital, first met Saluki Salty in October last year when he was found with 25 other dogs all living in unsuitable conditions.
Salty’s coat was filthy, covered in urine stains and he had patches of missing fur. He walked with a limp and preferred to lie down rather than put weight in his injured leg.
X-rays revealed that salty required cruciate ligament surgery to stabilise the joint – a painstaking operating that took vets almost three hours. He also had a large tear in his meniscus, part of which had to be removed.
Salty was a model patient and, thankfully, the surgery was a success. However, he was extremely upset and unhappy in kennels. Staff at the centre would often report he would cry and howl through the night because he wanted to be near people.
Fearing his distress could lead to him hurting himself and impede his recovery, staff agreed that he should go into foster care over December. That’s when veterinary care assistant Celine offered to take him back to her family home in London - and the rest, they say, is history!
Celine said: “The plan was originally to have him over Christmas and then take him back in for January to see how his leg was healing and then we could look to rehome him. In the meantime, he would get used to being in a home as well - but basically what tends to happen with lots of foster dogs - is they end up staying for good!
“This was exactly what happened to me and Salty! He just fitted in so well with the family and my other dog and he just immediately became part of the furniture - he literally is a little lamb and just a real angel - a perfect boy.”
Salty continued his recovery with Celina, returning to Finsbury Park in January for more x-rays, which revealed that everything was healing well. While he will never be 100 per cent, he can now walk and run without pain.
Celina continued: “I have been guided by the vets with his rehabilitation as it’s a long road to recovery and takes around six months to see the real improvements such as the build-up of his muscles.
“Everything has to be taken so slowly and we had to ensure he didn’t over exercise - he continued to have pain relief and physiotherapy.
“He’s just been the perfect boy - everyone fell in love with him with such a gentle temperament - he didn’t like the cone of shame - but because he was such a good boy and didn’t touch his bandages, we were able to remove it - much to his delight.
“I guess the only good thing about his past is that because he was at a location with 25 other dogs, he does have good dog social skills and he knows how to read them - so that’s the one silver lining of his situation.
“We will never fully know his history - as despite the inspectors leaving an abandonment notice to find his owners - no one ever came forward.”
Image (C) RSPCA.
Charity backs plan to tackle live horse exports
World Horse Welfare welcomes Government’s animal welfare strategy.
World Horse Welfare has welcomed the Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, particularly its commitment to tackling the live export of horses for slaughter.
The charity recently highlighted the case of two consignments of horses that arrived into their care in recent years — known as the Dover 26 and the Trafficked 20 — after being intercepted at Dover.
World Horse Welfare is supportive of the strategy’s focus on improving transport conditions, enforcing licensing regulations for premises where equines are kept, and collaborating with the horse sector to ensure licensing requirement are proportionate.
Chief executive, Roly Owers, said: “We welcome the Government’s animal welfare strategy, and in particular their commitment to explore further measures to prevent live export of horses from Britain to slaughter. It is still far too easy for horses to be exported under the guise of riding or breeding but go straight to a meat market, so it’s urgent and vital that we get the right measures in place to put a stop to this.
“We also welcome other aspects of the Government’s strategy, such as the recognition of the impact of transport on the welfare of animals and the importance of welfare-friendly journey times, along with the impact of temperatures and space allowances. We applaud the Government’s commitment to working with both the horse sector and enforcement bodies to develop appropriate measures.”
He continued: “We are pleased to see the Government commit to working with local authorities to improve enforcement of the current licensing regulations for premises where equines are kept, to ensure greater consistency and effectiveness.
"We are hopeful that improvements in enforcement will be made before the outcome of the proposed consultation on licensing of rescue and rehoming centres and look forward to working with the Government, via the National Equine Welfare Council and British Horse Council, to ensure that any new licensing requirements are both proportionate and enforceable."
Mr Owers also urged the Government to updated England’s Code of Practice for the keeping of horses and other equines, which was last updated in 2017, adding:
“Updating the code, as is currently being done in Scotland, would enable the welfare of all equines in England to be better protected, supporting the Government’s stated aims of educating animal owners and carers on best practices and promoting innovation in animal care and welfare standards. We would be pleased to support Defra and work with the sector to achieve this.”
Image (C) Shutterstock/Darryl Brooks.
Scottish SPCA calls for stronger fireworks legislation
The charity is asking the public to act responsibly this Hogmanay.
The Scottish SPCA is calling for stronger legislation on fireworks, warning that loud, unpredictable noises can have a harmful effect on pets, wildlife and farmed animals.
It follows the shocking aftermath of Bonfire Night, where terrified dogs at the Scottish SPCA’s Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Glasgow tore up and soiled their bedding due to fear.
With Hogmanay around the corner, the Scottish SPCA is pleading with the public to be mindful if they are using fireworks at home, or to attend organised display where possible.
Nicola Strachan, head of advocacy and strategic partnership at the Scottish SPCA, reiterated the organisations call for a complete ban on the public sale and use of fireworks.
“Many pet owners and farmers experience first-hand the frightening effect fireworks have on their animals - and our centres are no different. The aftermath of Bonfire Night showcased the devastating impact they had on animals in our care, with a number of terrified dogs having shredded and messed their bedding as a result of panic and stress. This can’t continue and has to stop.
“We are in no doubt there will be similar impact following New Year’s Eve so we are calling for a complete ban on the public sale and use of fireworks. It’s time for stronger legislation to protect vulnerable animals from distress, injury and harm."
Ahead of the 2026 Scottish election, the Scottish SPCA has also launched its manifesto, Animal Count: Make Them Matter, which includes four key proposals:
· Create a National Animal Offenders Register
· Embed Animal Welfare into the Scottish Curriculum
· Review the Animal and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
· Introduce a permitted list of pets.
The charity has also set out a campaign for a full ban on the public sale and use of fireworks to better protect animals and vulnerable individuals from distress. For more information, visit the Scottish SPCA website.
Image (C) Shutterstock/Sanjagrujic.
Stem cell study to tackle African Swine Fever
A £1.6m research project will see researchers use stem cell technology to discover why African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is fatal in domestic pigs.
The study will explore why domestic pigs appear to be susceptible to the disease, while wild African pig species appear to have some resistance.
The project will make use of stem cell technology, developed at the Roslin Institute, to generate pig, warthog and red river hog immune cells – the primary cellular target of the virus. This could be exposed to the virus, enabling scientists to observe cellular response to the infection in various species and identify the genes involved with this.
Since there is not currently an effective vaccine, the control of ASFV has been limited to slaughter and quarantine of infected animals. This is causing major economic losses.
Through the three-year project, researchers will aim to identify the key genetic factors behind resistance and reliance, comparing the immune response of domestic pigs and wild African pigs.
It is hoped that the findings could inform the breeding of animals with a greater resistance to ASFV.
The Pirbright Institute will collaborate with the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) in France and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Spain. It is part-funded by Defra.
Finn Grey, from the Roslin Institute, said: “Our expertise in high-throughput genetic screens, combined with advanced stem cell biology available in Dr Tom Burdon’s lab, will allow us to evaluate the function of thousands of genes simultaneously in cells and pinpoint key host factors regulating African Swine Fever virus.”
Chris Netherton, of the Pirbright Institute, added: “There is a key knowledge gap and we aim to characterise the host factors responsible for ASFV resistance and deepen our knowledge of ASFV host-pathogen interactions.
“We hypothesise that susceptibility and resilience to ASFV is determined in part by intrinsic characteristics of macrophages, and their innate response. Our project will identify biomarkers of resistance, using pluripotent stem cells to identify host factors that regulate susceptibility and resistance to ASFV infection in macrophages.”
Image © EcoPrint/Shutterstock.com
Law introduces unlimited fines for livestock attacks
A new law has been passed, which the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says will give farm animals in England and Wales better protection from dog attacks.
The legislation will increase the fine for livestock worrying from £1,000 to an unlimited fine. Police will also have the power to detain dogs that pose an ongoing threat.
The law also now clearly distinguishes between a dog attacking livestock and a dog worrying livestock.
The news follows a survey of farmers, conducted by the National Sheep Association, which found that 87 per cent of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year.
Many of these farmers reported multiple incidents of dog attacks on their flocks.
Research from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has found the total cost of livestock worrying to the UK in the past year has reached £1.8m. The crime has cost farmers in the Midlands an estimate £452,000, and farmers in the Southwest £225,000.
The additional powers are among those that have come into effect as part of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025.
Police officers will also now be able to enter premises to secure evidence and animal DNA. Meanwhile, the Courts can now require offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.
The Act extends this protection to incidents which take place on roads and paths, which Defra says recognises cases that take place when livestock is being moved. The definition of ‘livestock’ is also extended to include camelids, such as llamas and alpacas.
Defra believes that the latest amendment will crack down on instances of livestock worrying, giving farmers the confidence that incidents will be investigated and irresponsible dog owners will be held to account.
Dame Angela Engle, farming minister, said: “Livestock worrying can have devastating consequences for farmers and their animals, with sheep, cows and other animals often suffering severe injuries, trauma or often death.
“These stronger protections will help keep livestock safe and give farmers more confidence that incidents can be quickly and properly investigated.”
Image © True Pixel Art/Shutterstock
Scottish SPCA celebrates new Dog Theft Bill
The Scottish SPCA has welcomed the passing of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, which it says will improve animal welfare across Scotland.
This new legislation means that dog theft is now a standalone offence, punishable by tougher penalties than before. It also means that theft of an assistance (helper) dog is an aggravated offence.
Offenders in Scotland could now face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty of dog theft.
The charity says this reform recognises dogs as sentient beings, rather than as property, and therefore recognises the seriousness of such thefts. It describes the crime as ‘traumatic’ for both the animal and the owner, and highlights the significant impact the theft of an assistance dog can have.
It says that the new law brings greater accountability and better fitting punishments to those who commit the crime, which it hopes will deter future incidents.
The new legislation is also expected to provide improved consistency with the collection of data about dog thefts.
The Scottish SPCA says the previous system made it difficult for them to track offenders and sentencing outcomes. It hopes that the new reporting system incorporated into the Bill will improve the reliability of information held on these cases.
However, while it has celebrated this progress, the charity says more needs to be done to improve animal welfare in Scotland.
As part of its 2026 manifesto, the charity has set out four key reforms to accomplish its charitable goals. This includes a National Offenders Register and a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.
Nicola Strachan, head of advocacy and strategic partnerships at the Scottish SPCA, said: “This legislation sends a clear message that dog theft will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. While this is a significant step forward, it must be the foundation for wider reform.
“Our 2026 manifesto sets out further actions needed to make Scotland the best place in the world for an animal to call home, and we will continue working with policymakers to ensure this momentum is not lost.”
Image © DaisyDaisy/Shutterstock.com
MMI awards more funding for VN mental health
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has announced a £40,000 research grant to improve mental health training in veterinary nursing education.
The research grant has been awarded by RCVS’ Mind Matters Initiative, in collaboration with the Veterinary Nursing Department at the RCVS.
It will support a mental health research project, Veterinary Educator Training in the Mental Health Integration and Nurse Development (VET-MIND). The project is led by Dr Faye Didymus and Dr Jackie Hargreaves, both based at the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University.
The new project will build upon previous Mind Matters research from 2023, also conducted by Dr Didymus and Dr Hargreaves. This had explored how mental health and wellbeing could be integrated into the learning paths of student veterinary nurses.
It resulted in a set of evidence-based recommendations, aimed at enhancing mental health education for veterinary nursing students.
Across three years, VET-MIND will use these recommendations to ‘upskill’ veterinary nurse educators in further and higher education. Educators will learn to integrate mental health principles into their curricula, so students can put these knowledge and skills into practice.
The researchers will utilise their funding to co-design mental health webinars, provide interactive training to educators, and evaluate learning over time.
RCVS says that awarding this grant supports their Mind Matters Strategy, launched in May 2023, which seeks to work for ‘lesser heard voices’ in the veterinary profession. RCVS says this includes RVNs and SVNs, and so targeted projects are organised to meet their needs.
Dr Didymus said: “VET-MIND builds on our previous research into mental health among SVNs, veterinary nurse educators, and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs).
“In that work, we found that veterinary nurse educators working in further and higher education need more support to deliver education that embeds mental health principles and, in doing so, sustains students’ mental health. VET-MIND responds directly to this need by co-designing practical solutions with those who are educating the next generation of nurses.”
Julie Dugmore, RCVS director of veterinary nursing, added: “VET-MIND has the potential to transform the way mental health education is embedded across veterinary nurse training.
“By equipping educators with practical tools and the confidence to integrate mental health principles into everyday teaching, the project supports more responsive, reflective, and psychologically informed learning environments.”
Image © Pegasus Pics/Shutterstock.com
RCVS makes £4,000 donation to World Horse Welfare
The donation will support vital research into equine welfare.
The RCVS has donated £4,000 to World Horse Welfare to help the charity with its goals to support the horse-human relationship.
The College’s annual charity donation is made in lieu of sending Christmas cards to members of the professions. This year, the charity was selected by RCVS president Professor Tim Parkin FRCVS.
Tim said: “World Horse Welfare is a national and international charity that fundamentally seeks to ensure that every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding. Its work stretches from ‘working equids’ around the world, to playing a part in ensuring the welfare of horses involved in high-level equestrian sport racing is maximised.
“Having sat on the Veterinary Advisory Council for many years up until 2024, I have witnessed the impact of its work for both the horse and the communities in which it works and am very happy that the RCVS can make this Christmas donation for 2025.” World Horse Welfare provides rescue and rehabilitation for at risk horses in the UK and low and middle-income countries. It also supports research to understand the causes of equine welfare challenges, using evidence to inform its work.
World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers said: “We’re profoundly grateful to the RCVS for this hugely generous gesture. As an evidence-led charity, research is a key part of our work, helping us understand the root causes of the challenges horses face.
“This donation will be enormously helpful in supporting vital research next year, including a review of the implications of headgear on equine welfare and a project examining how we can better understand the horse’s experience during transport.”
© Nata.dobrovolskaya/Shutterstock.com
Military police dog scoops national award
Springer spaniel Paul honoured for six explosives finds.
A Military Working Dog (MWD) and his handler have been honoured with a special award in recognition of their hard work and dedication.
Four-year-old springer spaniel Paul and Sergeant Craig Roberts, received the inaugural Military Police Dog of the Year Award, presented by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, at their base in West London in September.
Paul served at RAF Northolt as an arms and explosives search dog with the Royal Air Force Police.
Throughout his career, Paul searched aircraft, cargo, baggage, and areas ahead of VIP visits. Most notably, the sniffer dog made six operational finds of explosives and ammunition.
Sgt Roberts said: “I was lucky to get Paul straight out of training so I did a lot of extra work with him so I could put my stamp on how he worked. He wasn’t a natural search dog but he trained really well.
“Unlike handlers who work with drugs dogs, who want to make finds, as handlers of explosives dogs you never want to find anything. But Paul has had six finds during his career.
“He was very busy as a young dog, and I recognise that being in the right place at the right time was a factor, but I’m grateful that our hard work, training, and dedication helped him make the most of those opportunities.
“Some dogs can go their whole career without ever having a find!”
Sadly, Paul was unable to attend the award ceremony in London, and is not operational owing to a serious injury to his cruciate ligament.
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation travelled to Northolt to officially honour them, with Group Captain Lee Wales, Station Commander, presenting the award to the pair.
Group Captain Lee Wales said: “Congratulations to MWD Paul and his handler Sgt Craig Roberts. It is a proud moment to see the commitment and dedication of our RAF Police dogs acknowledged in this way. The recognition from the Thin Blue Paw means a great deal to us.”
Image (C) Thin Blue Paw Foundation.
RUMA CA&E shares fourth Annual Progress Report
The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance – Companion Animal & Equine (RUMA CA&E) has published its fourth Annual Progress Report, following its campaign in November.
The report comes as RUMA CA&E announces a new focus on Sustainable Parasite Control, which will accompany its continued goals of Antimicrobial Stewardship.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has shared data, based on findings from the UK-Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance Sales Surveillance (2024) Report. RUMA CA&E says these statistics show encouraging trends for its work.
The data highlights a continuing annual decline in antibiotic use in dogs, with a 12 per cent reduction between 2023 and 2024. This combines to an over 70 per cent reduction since 2014.
HP-CIA use in dogs is also at its lowest since 2014. There has been an overall reduction of 59 per cent since 2014, with a six per cent reduction year-on-year.
Despite an 11 per cent rise in feline antibiotic use from 2022 to 2023, this dropped by seven per cent between 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile HP-CIA use has decreased by six per cent year-on-year, with an overall reduction of 46 per cent since 2014.
It also reveals that, over ten years, there has been a 48 per cent reduction in sales of topical antibiotics for dogs and a 49 per cent reduction in sales for cats.
The report provides updates to two of RUMA CA&E’s major initiatives: the launch of the first ever National AMU Reduction Targets for companion animals, and a new approach to parasiticides.
As part of its parasiticides approach, RUMA CA&E created a short-term sub-group to analyse its role in ‘medicines stewardship beyond antimicrobials’. This included a risk and impact exercise, analysing the use of anthelmintic, endoparasiticide and ectoparasiticides products from a One Health perspective.
Steve Howard, RUMA CA&E secretary general, said: “More evidence gathering will be important moving forwards to understand some of the wider impacts on resistance and on the environment of these and other classes of medicines in order to develop accurate guidance for the profession but in the absence of that evidence, driving more responsible use, accurate application and safe disposal by pet owners, would most certainly have a positive impact in the meantime from a One Health perspective.”
Parasite prevention protects over five million infections annually - study
Research is the first to quantify the full health and economic impact of routine treatment.
Routine parasite prevention can protect pets from more than five million infections a year, according to new research.
The landmark study conducted by experts from Kreavet, the University of Nottingham, ESCAPP and ESCAPP UK & Ireland, also found that current protection methods could save UK households around £53 million in veterinary costs – and with optimal coverage, this increases to £95.2 million.
Writing in Parasites and Vectors, the authors describe how they used data on treatment usage, parasite prevention and associated costs to model infection outcomes across current and “optimal compliance” scenarios. In the optimal scenario, they found the number of prevented infections could rise by 70.6 per cent, reaching 9.3m annually.
The analysis assessed the impact of routine control measures against fleas, ticks, roundworms and lungworms in companion animals. It revealed that 2.3 million flea infestations and more than two million tick infestations are avoided each year in UK dogs and cats.
Flea prevention alone was found to save households around £32.2 million each year through avoided veterinary treatments and home decontamination costs.
Professor Hany Elsheikha, head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland, said: “This study provides the first national quantification of how many infections and infestations routine parasite control prevents in UK pets each year. Our modelling shows that preventive treatments make an important contribution to animal health, public health and household finances.
“By improving our understanding of the effects of parasite control on pet health, we can prevent more infections every year, reducing the risks for animals and families and the pressures on veterinary services.”
The research also notes that parasite infections are increasing, with expanding tick and lungworm populations. Inconsistent owner compliance remains a barrier to parasite control.
Professor Elsheikha added: “While our study highlights substantial health and economic benefits of preventive parasite control, it’s crucial that we continue to undertake research that helps the veterinary and pet communities understand how preventive care protects not only pets, but the people around them.
“At the same time, ongoing work is needed to better understand environmental pathways and to promote the sustainable, risk-based use of parasiticides.”
Image (C) Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava/Shutterstock.com
Record number of overseas vets join Register
Eighty candidates passed the RCVS Statutory Membership Exam.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has welcomed a record number of overseas veterinary surgeons to its Register, after they passed their Statutory Membership Exam.
This year there were 80 candidates that passed the membership exam, with 53 of these attending a formal ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster on 3 December.
The ceremony was hosted by Clare Paget, RCVS registrar and director of legal services, as well as RCVS president Prof Tim Parkin. The family and friends of the new members were also invited to watch the ceremony.
Prof Parkin said: “You should all be very proud of your achievements here today, especially as I know some of you came to the UK under difficult circumstances.
“The UK veterinary profession is very lucky indeed to have you joining it and I know that you will make a massive difference – you’ve already demonstrated amazing energy and drive, and you will also no doubt bring fresh and different perspectives with you - that, as I said, will only serve to enrich all of our lives.”
Among those in attendance was Zahra Mohammedi, who came to the UK after fleeing Afghanistan four years ago.
Dr Mohammedi said: “It wasn’t easy. When I first arrived in the UK, I still had the trauma from everything that had happened in my country. I struggled a lot because I’d never left my family before and when I arrived in the UK, I was alone.
“I’ve had a lot of support from many people to get me to where I am today, and I feel like one of the luckiest people to have all these wonderful people around me. There are millions of girls in Afghanistan who don’t have this opportunity. I never gave up because I didn’t want the Taliban to win. Now I feel like I’ve won and they’ve lost.
"I’ve proven that Afghan women are worthy to study and work and can do whatever they want.”
Image © RCVS
New guidance for treating horses of unknown ownership
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has published a new resource for veterinary surgeons providing treatment to equids where the owner or keeper cannot be identified.
The mobile-friendly library is designed to make the rules for providing veterinary care to such equids clearer, in line with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct.
The Code of Professional Conduct describes how its members should not unreasonably refuse a patient first aid or pain relief, which might include euthanasia. It states that attending veterinary surgeons should understand the appropriate procedures when handling such cases.
This new set of guidance has been compiled by BEVA, in collaboration with groups including the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, the National Equine Crime Group, as well as national and local authorities.
Included in the library is a decision tree for checking correct procedures, an overview of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, a ‘what if’ troubleshooting guide, and a registry of essential contacts. There is also a selection of examination and treatment worksheets, such as euthanasia certification, to support the completion of paperwork.
The guidance notes offer six recommendations when treating these cases, including attending the scene, recording notes and seeking a second opinion. There is also guidance for gaining euthanasia authorisation and carcass collection.
Imogen Burrows, BEVA president, said: “It can be an intimidating process when visiting an equid without an owner, but our new resources aim to address the potential stress factor and make the rules around the provision of care very clear-cut.
“We have produced all the documents the attending vet should need, no matter their location or circumstances. Most importantly, if they are attending alone, they will know how to access the right help at the right time, secure in the knowledge that they are following appropriate, validated procedures.”
The resources can be accessed here.
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Campaigners call for end to Scottish low-welfare puppy trade
The Scottish SPCA has met with a cross-party gathering of Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to campaign for an end to Scotland’s low-welfare puppy trade.
Politicians were invited to meet the canine victims of some of the worst animal welfare cases encountered by the charity.
Among the rescued dogs in attendance were Sky and Louie, who were rescued from a prolific dealer who was convicted this year. However, Scottish SPCA say its work goes beyond individual breeders.
The event, which was sponsored by Emma Harper MSP, took place shortly before the Christmas period, when puppy dealers are most likely to take advantages of the general public.
The Crown Office warns that puppies bought from illicit breeders during the season could be funding drug traffickers and money launderers.
Scottish SPCA says that thousands of pounds enter criminal enterprises through puppy farms. It says that some designer breeds can fetch as much as £3,000.
The charity has received 2,143 calls in the past five years about puppy farms and low-welfare breeding. In 2025, the charity has so far received 220 calls from the public.
Many of the dogs which are trafficked will suffer severe health problems, costing their owners substantial veterinary bills. Others will be too ill to survive into adulthood.
The charity is calling for the creation of a National Animal Offenders Register, built into existing intelligence systems, to monitor those convicted of animal cruelty. This is expected to have further benefits by addressing the link with those who harm animals and those who go on to harm humans.
It is also urging the government to review the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which they say needs updating to address the impact of online platforms on certain criminal behaviours.
Laura McIntyre, head of rescue and prevention at Scottish SPCA, said: “The stories we have shared today show the reality behind Scotland’s low-welfare puppy trade. This is not about ‘bad breeders’. It is organised, deliberate cruelty carried out for profit. Puppies suffer, families are left devastated and criminals make money from misery.
“My thanks to Emma Harper and all MSPs who joined us. We need stronger tools to deal with this problem, including implementation of a National Animal Offenders Register and modernised legislation that recognises the ways online platforms are increasingly used to facilitate and promote cruelty.”
Scottish SPCA’s full manifesto can be read here.
Image © Scottish SPCA
RCVS Knowledge shares third Canine Cruciate Registry report
RCVS Knowledge has published the third annual benchmarking report of its Canine Cruciate Registry (CCR).
Its latest statistics reveal a 25 per cent increase in the number of contributors in the past 12 months, sharing data on the success of different surgical techniques.
The system now has 593 veterinary professionals registered to share canine cruciate surgery data. This is an increase of 119 professionals since the previous annual report.
As a result of this increase, the number of overall cases of CCR on the platform have risen 40 per cent from 1,319 to 1,849.
The benchmarking report found that 142 different dog breeds were represented by the data. Labrador retrievers were the most common breed, representing 9.4 per cent of all cases reported.
Once again, osteotomies proved to be the most commonly reported procedure. The proportion of tibial plateau levelling osteotomies has increased by 6.1 per cent since the 2024 report.
Usage of prophylactic post-operative antibiotics in reported cases has shown a decrease of 19.3 per cent since 2021.
However, while the degree of cranial cruciate ligament tear was reported in 89.5 per cent of patients, this is slightly reduced compared to 2024’s 92.1 per cent statistic. In 2025, over two-thirds recorded were complete tears.
Many veterinary professionals have said that the data has supported their communications with clients in practice. It has also supported anti-microbial resistance targets, with one veterinary surgeon changing their practice after seeing others nor prescribe post-operative antibiotics.
Heather Eastham, a veterinary surgeon who uses the service, said: “I now email all clients in advance of the date of their potential surgery to give them specific information about the surgical procedure or options of surgical procedure we may discuss and send them links to the very informative pages on the CCR website.
“By the time I see them on the day of surgery, most clients have already enrolled. This has cut down the length of my pre-op consults and clients arrive far more clued up as to what is going to happen and already engaged with the registry.”
Mark Morton, the CCR’s clinical lead, added: “This year has seen the launch of a new complications dashboard for clinicians, allowing benchmarking against the rest of the registry dataset. I’d encourage you to use this and find where and how you can improve.
“Even if your data puts you well ahead of the benchmark, you can still make a powerful contribution to the CCR. By sharing your data and your successes, you can help us build a strong evidence base that'll mean we can all improve together.”
The full report can be read on the RCVS Knowledge website.
Image © Shutterstock.com/David Herraez Calzada
Vets prescribing metronidazole against AMR guidelines, study finds
New research suggests that veterinary professionals have been prescribing metronidazole in contradiction to antimicrobial use guidelines.
In 42 per cent of cases, it was discovered that metronidazole was being used for non-antimicrobial targeted therapies. It was most often prescribed for acute diarrhoea, chronic diarrhoea or giardiasis.
This is despite advice that antimicrobials are very rarely appropriate for treating acute and chronic diarrhoea.
The findings were discovered as part of a survey of 138 veterinary professionals, primarily in the UK and working in primary care small animal practice. These professionals treated 332 cases (285 dogs and 47 cats) with metronidazole.
Those which had used metronidazole mostly justified its use by describing its anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory properties.
Among the other justifications included suspected/confirmed anaerobic or susceptible bacterial infection, patients being systematically unwell or having severe disease, treating protozoal infections, and owner/practice expectations.
There were also 19 per cent of veterinary professionals using metronidazole based on prior positive outcomes, either in similar cases or the same patient.
This reliance on anecdotal reasoning corresponded with previous research, involving interviews with practitioners, with its frequency being linked to prescribing practices. This could lead to the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, therefore contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers are now calling for future stewardship programmes to learn from such behaviours. They say that these programmes should focus on advocating the use of non-prescription forms of medication.
The study also calls for adapted guidelines to tackle the inappropriate prescribing of metronidazole ad the development of educational resources that question specific rationales for metronidazole use.
Justin Ng, lead author of the study, said: “These insights are alarming given that such practices frequently deviate from current antimicrobial use guidelines, potentially contributing to ongoing challenges with antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects on gastrointestinal health.”
The full study can be found in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
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