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Charity rolls out nap time to reduce stress
Rico sleeping in kennels
Apart from the odd snore, you can hear a pin drop at its London kennels between 12 and 1pm each day.

Innovative strategy helps to calm anxious rescue dogs

Stressed rescue dogs in London are enjoying a daily siesta after Battersea Dogs and Cats Home came up with a novel way to help its most worried residents.

Borrowing tips from the continent, the charity decided to introduce 'siesta time' - where the lights are turned off, soothing lullabies are turned on and staff and volunteers are under strict instructions not to disturb the dogs.

Apart from the odd snore, you can hear a pin drop at its London kennels between 12 and 1pm each day. Already the charity says it has noticed a change in its residents, with less barking, jumping up and other stress-related behaviours.

"Often dogs are at their most stressed when they first arrive at Battersea," explained Ali Taylor, head of canine behaviour training. "Kennels can be a very alien environment for a dog, especially if it's a pet that's come from a family home.

"We'll try anything we can to help minimise their anxiety during their stay with us - which is how 'siesta time' came about. If you're a dog owner you might notice how often your go will sleep during the day, but the dogs here struggle to relax when they're surrounded by so much noise in the kennels."

Observational research was carried out last year to test and measure the dogs' stress levels when they first arrived at the centre. Staff assessed the impact of siesta time by observing stress-related behaviours before and after, finding the midday kip was having a positive effect after just a few days.

"It's amazed what a small but practical idea can do for the welfare of our dogs," Ali added. "We’ve definitely noticed a change in our kennels, there’s less barking and the dogs are generally a lot calmer because of it. They know when ‘Siesta Time’ is coming and many of them are already in their beds before the lights are off!"

The charity says it even managed to rehome more dogs in January this year than it has done for two years. While this may not be as a direct result of siesta time, the scheme is helping dogs to relax, which ultimately makes them easier to rehome.

Siesta time will be trialled in Battersea's other two centres - Old Windsor and Brands Hatch - in the coming months.

Image © Battersea Dogs and 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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.