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Government urged to review pet travel legislation
Imports of dogs to Britain reached 307,357 dogs in 2018, compared to 287,016 the previous year.
Dog imports to Britain reached 307,357 in 2018

The Government has been urged to review pet travel legislation after figures revealed that dog imports breached the 300,000 mark for the first time in 2018.

Rehoming charity Dogs Trust said that a lack of visual checks at borders and insufficient penalties means there is "no real deterrent" for people wanting to smuggle in breeds such as dachshunds, French bulldogs and English bulldogs.

On Wednesday (5 June), figures revealed by Defra showed that imports of dogs to Britain reached 307,357 dogs in 2018, compared to 287,016 the previous year. It is the sixth year in a row that the figures have increased since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

While some of these imports will have been dogs entering the UK on British passports, investigations by Dogs Trust have revealed that PETS is repeatedly being used as a cover to illegally import puppies from Central and Eastern Europe.

“Great Britain remains a target for dealers because of the vast sums people are willing to pay for such breeds and the lack of supply within Great Britain itself from reputable breeders,” said Dogs trust veterinary director Paula Boyden.

“The four undercover investigations that Dogs Trust has carried out into the abuses of the Pet Travel Scheme have provided Government with a mountain of evidence. We now urge the Government to take forward our clear recommendations to overhaul our pet travel legislation and increase the penalties for those caught fuelling this despicable trade.”

Among the recommendations set out by Dogs Trust is a call to reintroduce the requirement for a rabies blood (titre) test before entry to the UK, together with a waiting period in line with the incubation period of rabies.

The organisation would also like to see the reintroduction of the requirement for dogs and cats to be treated against ticks before entering the UK.

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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.