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Lest we forget
Dogs Trust's chief executive, Owen Sharp, and 'Peanut' at the memorial
Fallen animals in war remembered

Over 16 million animals served in the First World War. They were used for transport, communication and companionship.

Horses, donkeys, mules and camels carried food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men at the front, and dogs and pigeons carried messages. Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas, and cats and dogs were trained to hunt rats in the trenches.

On Friday 8 November, two- and four-legged guests gathered at the fifteenth Animals in War Memorial event in Hyde Park, London to pay their respects to the animals that have served and continue to serve in conflicts throughout the world.

Organised by Dogs Trust and the Petplan Charitable Trust, the event was attended by representatives from the animal welfare sector as well animals including horses from the Household Cavalry and Dogs Trust rescue dog, Peanut, a terrier cross.

Guest readers included author, Jilly Cooper, scholar and historian, Dr Hilda Kean and BBC correspondent, Gordon Corera, as well as four school children who read poetry they had written especially for the event.

Dogs Trust chief executive, Owen Sharp, commented: “It is incredibly moving to see so many organisations coming together each year to commemorate the immense bravery of the animals that served alongside our soldiers in battle. We believe that it is important that we continue to remember the animals of war and ensure they are never forgotten.”

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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."