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Public urged to think twice before buying a pet
dogs trust artwork
The new campaign launched last week to coincide with a peak in internet searches for puppies.

Dogs Trust reveals the most shocking excuses for abandoning a pet

The top 12 most bizarre and shocking reasons for giving up a dog have been revealed by the Dogs Trust as part of a new campaign to make people stop and think before buying a pet.

The list ranges from the poignant - "he was too loving and needed too much attention" - to the downright bizarre  - "I'm worried out toddler will copy him and poo in the garden".

In a bid to stop thousands of puppies being abandoned after Christmas, the charity has designed 12 striking artworks to be displayed in city centres across the UK. Each artwork depicts one of the 12 most shocking excuses given to Dogs Trust staff by people giving up their dogs.

The other 10 excuses are:

  • "He kept chasing frogs"

  • "He looked different after we walked him in the rain"
  • 
"He’s too playful - we haven’t sat down since we got him"

  • "My dog is old and going to die soon"
  • 
"He was scared of the cat next door"

  • "He barks every morning"
  • 
"He wags his tail too much"

  • "She’s seems hungry all the time and follows me around the house"
  • 
"He kept coughing in the night and woke me up"
  • 
"All the puppy did was sleep. We wanted a dog we could play with"

Giles Webber, who is in charge of rehoming at the charity's 20 centres, said: "With more and more puppies flooding the Christmas market, all available at the click of a button, it is more essential than ever that our iconic message 'A Dog is For Life, Not Just For Christmas' is ingrained in people’s minds".

During the last week of November, traffic to websites selling puppies peaks as people begin buying their Christmas presents. To coincide with this, the charity launched its campaign last week on Trinity Way in Manchester, with an artwork of a beagle, alongside the words "I was handed in because I coughed in the night and woke dad".

Giles added: "We hope that this visually striking campaign will encourage people to think twice about the commitment of dog ownership before impulsively buying a puppy. Our aim is to ensure that the artwork will be the only abandoned dogs the British public will see on their streets this Christmas period".

Image ©Wendy Lovatt

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.