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Airgun petition delivered to parliament
Around 164 cats in the UK were shot with an airgun in 2017.
Cats Protection appeal garnered 100,000 signatures

Cats Protection has delivered a petition to Number 10 Downing Street calling for a change to airgun laws.

The petition, which had 100,000 signatures, was delivered to Prime Minister Theresa May On Wednesday, 9 May. Together with more than 50,000 supporters, the charity has also written to the Home Office calling for airgun licensing as part of government review.

Cats Protection’s head of advocacy Jacqui Cuff said current laws in England and Wales did not go far enough to stop airguns falling into the wrong hands.

“We know that 90 per cent of reported airgun attacks on cats happen in England and Wales, and it’s no coincidence that these are the parts of the country where licencing of airguns isnot in place,” she explained. “Laws on airguns in Scotland and Northern Ireland are much tighter, and we believe this should apply for the whole of the UK.”

According to media reports, around 164 cats in the UK were shot with an airgun in 2017. Many of these cats suffered horrific and often fatal injuries as a result of such attacks.
 
Ms Cuff added: “In the wrong hands, airguns are deadly weapons, and updating the laws relating to them is well overdue in England and Wales. Our petition of 100,000 people shows that a huge number of people agree that action must be taken urgently.” 

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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.