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Rescue centre ‘sorts’ dogs into Hogwarts houses
Each dog gets a banner and scarf in his kennel to display his ‘Pawgwarts’ house.

Adopters encouraged to consider personality over breed 

A rescue centre in Florida has taken inspiration from the Harry Potter series and is now ‘sorting’ its dogs into Hogwarts houses. The initiative aims to help adopters choose a pet based on personality traits, not looks or breed.

Just like in JK Rowling’s school for witches and wizards, dogs at the Pet Alliance shelter are sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, depending on their personality traits.

Dogs who are quick to figure out a puzzle are placed into Ravenclaw, recognising their knowledge; whilst cheerful, affectionate canines are sorted into Hufflepuff. Meanwhile, those who embrace new things with courage are Gryffindors, and those with the ambition to climb the agility A-frame are placed in Slytherin.

Each dog gets a banner and scarf in his kennel to display his ‘Pawgwarts’ house.

“We want to start a national conversation about dog personality rather than dog breed,” Stephen Bardy, Pet Alliance’s executive director told The Dodo. “That is our ultimate goal and we think this is a fun and universal way for people to start talking. “

As the Sorting Hat can only be found within the walls of Hogwarts, Pet Alliance had to improvise with a team of wizards and a few muggles, who created a series of activities to sort dogs into their houses. The shelter has even put together a quiz so that all dog owners can find out which house their dog belongs in.

Pet Alliance says it has joined many progressive shelters in removing breed labels. The shelter says it has seen an increase in adoptions since introducing the ‘Pawgwarts’ scheme.

Image © Pet Aliiance/Facebook

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.