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Appeal to raise funds for working animals in Haiti
Working horses, donkeys and mules are an essential method of transportation for rural communities in Haiti.

UK government will match every donation 

An ambitious match-funded appeal is hoping to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to improve the welfare of working animals in rural Haiti.

Equine charity World Horse Welfare launched the appeal to raise more than £150,000, which will be doubled by the UK government. Funds raised will help to provide training for communities, allowing them to improve welfare whilst strengthening their livelihoods.

Working horses, donkeys and mules are an essential method of transportation for rural communities in Haiti, carrying produce to be sold at markets, ferrying water for livestock and taking children to school.

The charity’s Haitian partner, the Fondation Quatre Pattes will work in 10 towns around Port-Au-Prince, sharing knowledge with horse owning communities and providing training in saddlery, horse care and veterinary treatment. The project will not only support owners in improving their animals’ health, but will also help them to generate income opportunities.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: “Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world that is still trying to recover from the devastating earthquake in 2010.

"Despite this there is great appetite within communities in rural Haiti to access new skills and knowledge – and empowering local people through training in horse care, saddlery and veterinary treatment not only improves the welfare of their working animals but boosts their independence too.

The government will match every donation received until 17 September. Donations can be made via World Horse Welfare’s website.

Image © World Horse Welfare

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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."