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RSPCA to begin rehoming again
There have been more than a million visits to the RSPCA's rehoming pages in recent weeks.
Move follows staggering rise in interest for adoption

The RSPCA has announced that it is to begin rehoming in England again following an influx of enquiries from people interested in fostering or adopting the animals in its care.

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, front-line teams have continued to rescue animals but have been unable to source them new homes. Currently, there are some 4,800 animals in charity's care.

Now, in light of new Defra-approved guidelines - developed by the Canine & Feline Sector Group - animal charities can begin rehoming again. Using a safe, online process, the RSPCA hopes to find new 'forever' homes for many of the animals in its care.

The charity says that in recent weeks there have been more than a million visits to its online rehoming pages - a rise of almost 30 per cent  - and a staggering 600 per cent increase in interest in fostering, with more than 115,000 visits to its fostering page.

“We've continued to rescue and take in animals in need through this crisis and our front-line staff in our animal centres have done a sterling job in really tough circumstances, giving them the care and love that they need,” said RSPCA chief executive, Chris Sherwood.

“But nothing can replace the care that a pet receives in a loving home so we are thrilled that we are going to be able to start finding them the families they desperately need right across England.”

He continued: "Safety of the public, our staff and, of course, the animals is our highest priority and we have developed guidelines to ensure that we can rehome, foster and provide ongoing support for adopters and fosterers in a safe way.

“This means our animal centres will remain closed to the public and we have developed a number of measures to make sure we can maintain social distancing while finding animals new homes.”

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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."