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Queen to open new kennels at Battersea
Batersea
The new block will provide accommodation for 56 dogs.

Kennels to provide a calming environment for the home's most vulnerable dogs

Her Majesty The Queen will visit Battersea Dogs & Cats Home tomorrow (17 March) to officially open the charity's new state-of-the-art kennels.

The £4.8m new kennel development will provide a welcome home to lost, abandoned, or unwanted puppies at the world-famous rescue centre.

The Queen, who became Patron of Battersea in 1956, will be shown how the new canine facilities will play a vital role in supporting the dogs during their early days at Battersea, improving and speeding up their journey towards a loving new home.

Claire Horton, chief executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says: “We are truly thrilled Her Majesty is opening our new kennels at Battersea and sharing with us the most important day for the home in decades. This is the biggest development in the home’s history and we’re honoured to have our Royal Patron meeting some of the many animals that will benefit from these new facilities.”
 
“The kennels, named in honour of Battersea’s pioneering founder Mary Tealby, are inspired by the needs of, and our love for, our animals. Battersea has worked tirelessly to provide shelter to three million stray and unwanted dogs since first opening its doors in 1860 and our mission remains the same today as it was then – to aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help.”

The new kennels will replace noisy and out-dated Victorian facilities that were closed in 2012 after providing a home to around one million dogs over the centuries.

Designed by Battersea and award-winning architects Jonathan Clark Associates, the new block will provide accommodation for 56 dogs. With a focus on providing a quiet, calming environment for the home's most vulnerable dogs, each kennel has built-in speakers to play calming music and an external run area. Adjoining paddocks have paddling pools, climbing mounds, play equipment, and plants to awaken and interest dogs' senses.

It is hoped that the new kennels will help Battersea to respond to an all-time high demand for its services. In the past three years, the charity has noted an 84 per cent increase in calls from owners wanting to give up their dogs to the centre.

Image (C) Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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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.