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Cats Protection names new chief executive   
James Yeates has extensive experience in ensuring the welfare of all animals.

RSPCA vet James Yeates begins new role in November

Leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection has announced the appointment of James Yeates as its new chief executive.

James is chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA and will commence his new role on Thursday, 1 November. His work will involve leading efforts to expand the charity’s rehoming, neutering and advocacy work.

Commenting on his appointment, James said: “It is a great opportunity to join such an amazing organisation as Cats Protection and also a profound honour to join with such inspiring people – volunteers and staff. To be part of that is such a privilege.”

James has extensive experience in ensuring the welfare of all animals. He is a qualified vet, with degrees in veterinary science and bioethics, as well as a PhD.

He is also an RCVS registered specialist in animal welfare, science, ethics and law, and a diplomat of the RCVS and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine.

Linda Upson, Cats Protection’s chairman of trustees, said: "I am delighted that we are welcoming James to Cats Protection. His extensive knowledge of the animal welfare sector, coupled with his love of cats, will make him a great addition to our existing senior management team.

“I am looking forward to working with him in the coming years as he leads the charity forward to fulfil our vision where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs."

Image (C) Cats Protection

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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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News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.