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Blue Cross seeks hero pets for 2018 medal
Romeo was awarded the Blue Cross Medal in 2017.
Medal recognises the amazing way pets change lives

Animal lovers are being urged to nominate their pet heroes for the Blue Cross Medal 2018.

Up to now, the Blue Cross Medal was aimed at working or assistance pets, or those that have saved lives in dramatic ways. This year, the charity is opening up the medal to the everyday pet heroes - from cats who are there to listen and guinea pigs that give children confidence.

Sally de la Bedoyere, Blue Cross chief executive, said: “With the Blue Cross Medal we want to honour the amazing things pets do for us and how they change our lives. If you know a pet that has made an incredible rescue and saved a life, or if someone’s cat, horse or rabbit is their hero just by being a friend, helping them through life’s challenges, then we want to hear from you.”

The winner of the 2017 Blue Cross medal was five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross, Romeo. Romeo was nominated by his owner because he spends much of his time visiting residents in care homes and stroke patients. He also donates blood to the Royal Veterinary College, saving countless lives and transforming the stereotype of the breed.

Recognising animals and people for extraordinary acts is a long-held tradition of the Blue Cross. The charity gave veterinary care to horses during the First World War and, in 1917, awarded Major Methuen of the King's Royal Rifles for the rescue of horses under shellfire on the battlefield in France.

In 1940 the medal was expanded to recognise animal bravery. A dog named La Cloche was the first recipient of this award, for saving his owner after a torpedo hit their ship.

To find out more about the awards and to nominate a pet, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/medal. The closing date for entries is 4 February 2018.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."