Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th January 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Charities offer financial support for XL bully neutering
The scheme will support owners that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.
New rules for XL bullies begin 31 January.

A group of charities have developed a scheme to support XL bully owners with meeting neutering requirements for exemption.

Blue Cross, Battersea and RSPCA have signed a joint letter offering a maximum of £250 towards the neutering costs of XL bully dogs for owners in need.

The scheme is intended to support responsible owners, who have already completed the other stages of the exemption process, that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.

It will be managed through the Blue Cross’ Veterinary Care Fund, launching on 5 February 2024. Until then, the RSPCA are providing vouchers for those in urgent need.

Practices are asked to apply for the fund online on behalf of their clients. The charities will then pay an amount, based on the dog’s gender and the neutering procedure, directly to the veterinary practice.

XL bully owners are able to apply for exemption for their dog before it has been neutered, however they must provide evidence that it has been neutered afterwards. Dogs which are older than one year old on the 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 30 June 2024, while dogs under one year old should be neutered by 31 December 2024.

On 1 February 2024, it will become a criminal offence to own an XL bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption. Following legislation which came into force on 31 December 2023, it is illegal to sell or rehome an XL bully, meaning owners must now either obtain a Certificate of Exemption for their dog or have it euthanised.

The charities hope that this financial support will enable more dog owners to meet the exemption requirements, reducing the likelihood that XL bully owners will opt for euthanasia.

In the letter, the charities write: “While we understand the pressure that practices are under at the moment, we would be grateful if you could support owners in need by meeting the requirements of the exemption process and help keep pets and their people together.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.