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Uncertain future for working dog rescue
german shepherd dog
Bravo Working Dog Rescue helps to resettle retired police, MOD and security dogs.

Centre faces closure in the new year without funding

A rescue centre for retired working dogs from the police, Ministry of Defence and security industries is facing an uncertain future due to funding problems.

Bravo Working Dog Rescue has launched a crowd funding drive to raise £5,000. Without these funds, the centre says it will be forced to close in the new year, putting the lives of hundreds of working dogs in jeopardy.

Animal behaviourist Debbie Connolly founded the rescue centre in 2012 as she was saddened by the fact that in the previous 10 years, over 800 military dogs were euthanised when their working lives ended.

The centre's work is financed by donations, fundraising and profits from Ms Connolly's own paid animal behaviour work. Currently the kennels are filled with rescues which limits the capacity for paid client work.



Over the past 18 months the centre says it has been preparing its site for new kennels to be donated by British Transport Police. But it claims the kennels supplied are not fit for purpose and it will now cost £10,000 to build the planned kennel block.

Initially the centre is hoping to raise £5,000 to avoid closure and build a few of the kennels.

Responding to the charity's claims that it has been 'let down', a spokesperson from British Transport Police said: "British Transport Police purchased a number of kennels in 2012 for use during the London Olympic Games. These were also later used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales.

"After these events, the kennels were deemed surplus to requirements and the decision was made to donate some of the dog kennels to Bravo Working Dog Rescue.  
 
"We are very disappointed to hear that the kennels provided are not to Mrs Connolly’s satisfaction and we would encourage her to contact us to discuss the matter further."

Visit Bravo Working Dog Rescue's JustGiving page here: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/bravo-dog-rescue-kennels

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'