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Guide dog puppies celebrate first birthday
The puppies will go on to help nine people with sight loss in the UK

Charity Guide Dogs treats puppies before formal training begins

A group of puppies from the first ever fully funded guide dog group celebrated their first birthday at a special event, held in Edinburgh on Thursday 28 November.

Seven puppies from the group of nine attended, and were treated to a special dog-friendly birthday cake and some well-deserved play time with People’s Postcode Lottery staff.

The group was funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who raised over £2,200 for the Guide Dogs charity. The funds raised go towards the care and training of these puppies, who are currently being cared for by Guide Dogs volunteers known as puppy walkers.

Craig Stewart, corporate partnerships development manager at Guide Dogs, commented: “We cannot thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery enough for their support in funding this group of guide dog puppies. They will go on to change the lives of nine people with sight loss in the UK, giving them the independence and confidence to live their life the way they want to.”

The pups are already taken out on daily walks to help them get used to the various sights, sounds, smells and environments that they will encounter when working with people who with sight loss. Now that they are turning one, they will soon be attending a Guide Dogs training school, where they will receive formal training before graduating as fully qualified guide dogs.

“We were delighted to welcome the guide dog puppies to the People’s Postcode Lottery office today and celebrate their first birthday.” Hazel Johnstone of People’s Postcode Lottery said, “I am proud that our players are able to support these pups through their training and can’t wait to follow their journey as it continues.”

Image (c) Guide Dogs

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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."