Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Cats Protection launches hands-free adoption service
Cats Protection has launched a new Hands-Free Homing service for potential pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic.
Scheme set to provide much-needed companionship during coronavirus pandemic.

Leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a new way for people to find their purr-fect companion during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charity's new Hands-Free Homing service enables prospective owners to view photos, videos and full descriptions of each moggie so they can garner as much information as possible before proceeding with an adoption.

If a match is found, Cats Protection will arrange a virtual meeting to carry out the necessary checks, and the cat will be delivered to its new home with strict social distancing measures being observed.

The charity will then conduct follow up calls with each owner in the weeks following the adoption to ensure that both they and their new pet are happy, with additional support available through its website.

Cats Protection director of operations Mark Beazley said: “This is a fantastic scheme, which will not only help to us to find loving homes for the cats in our care but can also help provide much-needed companionship for people at this difficult time.

“We know from our own research that nine out of 10 owners say their cat has a positive effect on their mental wellbeing. And two thirds also said that their cat helps them calm down when working from home, which it looks like many of us will be continuing to do for some time to come.”

Claire Blekkenhorst from Surrey and her eleven-year-old son adopted seven-year-old black cat Wilfey from Cats Protection under the new scheme and say that couldn’t be happier.

Claire said: “We are so in love with Wilfey. He has bonded so specially with my son and follows him everywhere. They have become very firm friends and sleep together every night. For a seven-year-old cat, he is super playful and inquisitive. He has loads of toys but, to be honest, his favourite game is to chase his own tail!

“We are so very grateful to Cats Protection for matching us with Wilfey. We lost our first cat in January and I honestly couldn’t imagine another cat coming into our lives and being adored so much, but it turns out it is possible.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."