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Mayhew and Crisis team up to help homeless people and pets at Christmas
New virtual gift cards fund items like food and coats

Charities will provide vital services to vulnerable people and animals

For the twelfth consecutive year, animal welfare charity Mayhew, and Crisis, the national homelessness charity, are working together this Christmas to provide support across the UK to people and animals affected by homelessness.

Mayhew will be providing kennels at one of Crisis’ Christmas centres, offering health checks, food, jackets and collars to dogs while their owners receive warm clothes, food, support and advice. Mayhew animal welfare officers will also be training Crisis volunteers across the Christmas period, ensuring that everyone is comfortable and informed in how best to interact with the dogs and dog owners.

Dogs can provide companionship and comfort for people who don’t have a place to call home, and the support that Mayhew and Crisis provide ensures that both dog and owner are kept safe and warm at this time of year.

CEO of Mayhew, Caroline Yates says: “Homelessness is devastating, and we know that the expense of pet food and vet care puts an extra burden on people already in a vulnerable position…We believe that helping people and helping animals comes hand in hand, and we are therefore thrilled to have joined forces with Crisis yet again. Together, we can help keep homeless people and their beloved pets warm and well looked after this Christmas.”

In addition to working directly with people and dogs experiencing homelessness in Crisis Christmas centres, Mayhew and Crisis have released a range of virtual gift cards on the Crisis website.

The gift cards, priced between £5 and £50, help to cover the costs of necessary items for homeless people and their dogs such as food and warm clothing, along with services like skills training and interview workshops for dog owners, and health checks and veterinary treatment for their pets.

Image (c) Mayhew

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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.