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RSPCA Cymru dealing with over 50 incidents a day during lockdown
"Animal cruelty has not stopped for the coronavirus. There are still countless animals across the country in urgent need of help".
Rescuers have dealt with almost 1,650 incidents in Wales alone in the last month.
 
RSPCA Cymru is dealing with more than 50 incidents a day during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Figures released by the animal welfare charity show that animal rescue teams dealt with 1,641 incidents in the month following the nation entering lockdown.

The data has been released as part of an emergency appeal, launched to keep rescue teams on the road during the pandemic and continuing to reach animals in need.

Across England and Wales, RSPCA rescuers dealt with a total of 21,137 animal welfare incidents between 23 March and 23 April.

Among these rescues included two baby wild mice saved from behind a shed in Cardiff, a swan that became entangled in fishing wire at Pen-Y-Fan, and a cat in that got stuck up a tree in Cwmbran.

The RSPCA's animal centres at Newport and Bryn-Y-Maen are currently closed to the public but continue to provide care for their 170 animals. The RSPCA's veterinary team at Merthyr are also working to help sick and injured animals, and deal with emergencies.

 “Animal cruelty has not stopped for the coronavirus. There are still countless animals across the country in urgent need of help - and these new figures show, since the lockdown, our rescuers have been supporting animals in all parts of Wales,” said Martyn Hubbard, RSPCA Cymru superintendent.

“Our teams are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care. Rescuers have dealt with almost 1,650 incidents in Wales alone in the last month - an average of more than 50 each and every day.”

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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.