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Rescue charity campaigns for emergency government support
Boris and Wilfred were born during lockdown at one of NAWT's shelters.
Animal lovers urged to write to their MPs over coronavirus impact.

Animal lovers are being urged to write to their local MP in a bid to to support rescue and rehoming centres struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The #RescueAnimalRescue campaign is being led by the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT), one of the hundreds of rescue and rehoming centres in the UK facing financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

“We’ve been hoping the government would support us like it has with zoos and aquariums, but so far nothing has been announced,” commented NAWT CEO Clare Williams. “Like other charities, we rely on raising money from visitors, year-round events and our charity shops, all of which have had to stop during lockdown, meaning a massive drop in income.”

Spearheading the campaign are two kittens named Boris and Wilfred, who were born during lockdown at one of NAWT’s shelters. The charity saved the young brothers after finding their mother straying and living off scraps from bins in a nearby high street.

NAWT fears there will be a spike in unwanted animals once lockdown restrictions are fully lifted, as people’s circumstances at home and at work change.

Clare adds: “We know that the demand for pets has been particularly high. Our centres have been quieter during lockdown but we are fully expecting demand for our services to go up, clashing just at a time when the real impact of the lack of funding will hit.

“It could be a dire situation for animals like Boris and Wilfred because if there are no places for them in rescue, then the responsibility falls to the local authorities. Many of them are already cash-strapped after having to deal with the COVID-crisis. I dread to think what this will mean for unwanted pets in the future.”

NAWT is asking animal lovers to write to their MP urging them to raise the matter with the Chancellor. For more information and to get involved, visit nawt.org.uk/rescue-animal-rescue-contact-your-mp

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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."