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Dog finds ‘forever home’ after 767 days in kennels
Roxy was often overlooked by potential new owners.
Five-year-old Roxy spent half her life with SSPCA.

A five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier has finally found a permanent home, after she spent nearly half of her life in Scottish SPCA’s kennels.

Roxy had been in the animal welfare charity’s care for 767 days, after being surrendered by her previous owner due to their life circumstances changing.

Roxy initially struggled to adjust to life in an animal shelter. However, through the dedication of Scottish SPCA staff, she gradually became more comfortable and happy.

Despite several appeals for a new home for Roxy, she was often overlooked by potential new owners.

Then Gerrard Brown and his daughter Dawn visited the centre, looking for a rescue dog to join their family. When they saw Roxy’s photograph on the wall, they were keen to meet her.

Mr Brown said: “We instantly fell in love with her face. The team managed to arrange a meeting that same day. She came out bouncing about and was an instant bundle of joy.

“The whole family went down again to meet her and we all took her for a walk. We arranged another couple of visits and then fostered her for two weeks.”

Roxy settled in well to the family home and so, after completing the paperwork, she became an official part of the family.

Since moving into her permanent home, Roxy has been bought lots of new toys. Her owners are now focusing on training her, and getting her used to her new life.

Scottish SPCA says that, while Roxy’s case was rare, it is changing the way it works to ensure that no dog spends that length of time in a kennel again.

In 2023 the animal welfare charity saw a 25 per cent increase in arrivals, with 6,944 animals taken into rescue and rehoming centres across Scotland.

It also rehomed 3,881 animals, fostered 459 animals and treated 5,163 wild animals.

Rachel Maclean, rehabilitation operations lead, said: “Our aims for 2024 are to enhance our adoption and fostering services with an expanded team.

“This means getting animals into the right homes faster and improving the experience for animals, fosterers and adopters.”

Image © Scottish SPCA

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BSAVA's new president starts role

News Story 1
 Julian Hoad has been confirmed as the new president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), taking over from Carl Gorman.

The veterinary surgeon is the BSAVA's 67th president, and has described stepping into the role as the pinnacle of his veterinary career.

Speaking at the BSAVA's AGM, Dr Hoad said: "I really do believe that the BSAVA will continue to go from strength to strength and will continue to maintain its relevance and position as the indispensable voice of the small animal veterinary profession." 

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News Shorts
Rise in temperature means increased bluetongue risk

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has warned that the recent rise in temperature means there is now an increased risk of bluetongue in England.

Although there have been no confirmed cases of the disease since March, the most recent risk assessment found that there is a very high probability of the virus being brought over by windborne midges from northern Europe.

Farms along the east and south coast of England, from Norfolk to East Sussex, are at the highest risk. Farmers are being asked to monitor their animals regularly for signs of the virus.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: "We know that the likelihood of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain is increasing and so I would urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."