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Glasgow vet recognised for work with homeless
Ruby established The Trusty Paws Clinic to offer free veterinary treatment and advice for dogs owned by homeless people.
Trusty Paws founder to receive IFAW award

A Glasgow vet is to be recognised for her work helping homeless people and their pets by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Ruby Shorrock studied to become a vet at the University of Glasgow and now works at a small animal practice in the city.  

While studying, Ruby became aware of the challenges faced by homeless pet owners and was shocked to discover that no homeless hostels in Glasgow would take people with their dogs.

Inspired by her research, Ruby established The Trusty Paws Clinic to offer free veterinary treatment and advice for dogs owned by homeless people.

After she learnt of a similar scheme run by student vets in Nottingham, Ruby gathered some vet student friends together to help set up their own clinics in Glasgow.

Since the first Trusty Paws Clinic opened two years ago, Ruby and her team have provided treatment to countless numbers of dogs from the homeless community, from neutering and vaccinations to de-worming and skin infections, all at no charge.

In light of the clinic’s success, Ruby has now started offering a similar service to homeless people and their dogs in London.

“Ruby’s work to help homeless dog owners and their pets is a great example of community work which helps both people and animals,” said Philip Mansbridge, UK director of IFAW. “We hope that her efforts will inspire the next generation of animal welfare campaigners and carers. She is a very deserving winner of IFAW’s Veterinary Award.”

Ruby added: “I have always loved charity work and animal welfare, it is great to do my day job and help those animals but this gives me a different kind of satisfaction...starting the clinics really challenged my own misconceptions about the homeless.”

Ruby will receive her award at the IFAW’s prestigious Animal Action Awards event at the House of Lords on October 18.

Image (C) Karen Gordon

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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.