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Battersea issues guidance on separation anxiety
"There are steps every owner can start taking now to ease this anxiety" - Ali Taylor, Battersea.
Advice to help pets cope with owners' post-lockdown routines.

Animal welfare charity Battersea has issued new guidance for pet owners to help cat and dogs cope with separation anxiety and everyday routines post-lockdown.

With many pet owners returning to work, Battersea says that it has issued the advice to make the transition 'as smooth as possible' for the nation's pets.

Ali Taylor, head of canine behaviour at Battersea commented: “As pets across the country have adjusted to having their owners at home 24/7, some dogs and cats may find it distressing to spend more time alone. While dogs are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety, cats can also find it stressful when their routine changes suddenly.

“There are steps every owner can start taking now to ease this anxiety and Battersea is always available for advice if you need more help.”

The charity advises owners who are currently working at home to begin working in a different room from their pet, and to set their alarm for the same time they would normally would go to work.

'When you go to your desk to start work, give your dog or cat any toys and treats you normally would when you leave the house,' Battersea writes. 'If you haven’t been utilising enrichment toys previously, now is the ideal time to give them a try – puzzle feeders are great at keeping both dogs and cats mentally stimulated.'

The charity has also recorded a video on separation anxiety which can be found here.

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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."