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California pet shops to only sell rescued animals
Over 6.5 million unwanted pets enter shelters every year in the USA.
New law prohibits the sale of animals from breeders in pet shops

A new law, known as AB 485, is scheduled to make California the first US state to only allow the sale of rescued animals in pet shops, according to a BBC News report.

Set to take effect on 1 January 2019, Californian pet retailers can no longer purchase cats, dogs and rabbits from breeders and must source animals from shelters. Any pet shop found guilty of breaching the new law will face a fine of $500.

Breeders, however, will still be allowed to make private sales.

Patrick O’Donnell, who introduced AB 485, has declared it beneficial to not just animals but to taxpayers, too. Currently, taxpayers across California contribute to the cost of sheltering unwanted animals.

The law has been welcomed by animal welfare groups who have been quoted by the BBC as calling it a victory against “kitten factories” and “puppy mills” where pets are bred for money.

In accordance with AB 485, pet shops in California will now be required by law to retain sufficient records of where each animal on sale was sourced.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that of the 6.5 million pets entering shelters in the USA each year, currently 1.5 million are euthanised.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.