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Horse rehoming on the rise, says charity
horses
Last year, the charity took in 76 per cent more horses than in the previous year.
World Horse Welfare reports 56 per cent hike in rehoming figures

A leading equine rescue and rehoming charity says it has seen a 56 per cent rise in the number of horses it has been able to rehome this year.

To date, World Horse Welfare (WHW) has rehomed 250 horses - more than twice the number it had rehomed last year.

"It’s extremely encouraging to see so many of our horses going to new homes and confirms that we are getting through to people – that they really do see rehoming a horse as a safe and viable option," said Tony Tyler, the charity's deputy chief executive.

However, Mr Tyler added there are still thousands more horses than available homes.

"While we are incredibly grateful to our dedicated supporters who are helping horses by rehoming more, the sad news is that the number of horses needing urgent rescue and rehabilitation far outweighs the number that we are rehoming."

Last year, the charity experienced what it terms a "freak year" where it took in 76 per cent more horses than in the previous year. In 2014, WHW has continued to take in a large number of horses. In particular, there has been a consistent rise in the number of group cases needing rescue.

"Recently, we had to take special measures at each of our four Rescue and Rehoming Centres developing multiple case admission facilities to ensure that we can take in the increasing number of large groups of horses that need urgent care, including taking in a recent case of 63 horses into one farm," Mr Tyler added.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."