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Scottish SPCA launches appeal as centres hit capacity
Scottish SPCA frontline teams attended some 78,000 incidents across 2020.

Increase in lockdown pets and puppy farms puts charity under pressure.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for support as a surge in unwanted and seized animals across the past year has led to immense pressure being placed on its services and many of its centres reaching capacity.

The recent rise in demand for puppies has led to an increase in the number of raids and seizures of animals from low-welfare puppy farms and dealers and the charity has also seen a spike in calls to its helpline regarding unwanted pets.

In 2020, the Scottish SPCA received more than 136,000 calls to its animal helpline and frontline teams attended an average of 214 incidents each day – totalling some 78,000 over the year. More than 7,000 wild animals were admitted to its National Wildlife Rescue Centre.

The charity continued to help animals throughout the pandemic, rehoming 3,369 animals and caring for more than 1,300 animals seeking temporary refuge.

Many of the animals being cared for by the Scottish SPCA are puppies rescued from puppy farms and low-welfare breeders. Disease is rife among these animals due to the terrible conditions many of they are kept in, and many puppies are having to be euthanised.

Chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Unfortunately the pandemic has seen a rise in the number of puppies being sold. The pups are bred for financial gain with no thought given to the welfare of the puppies or their mums.

“We are dedicated to disrupting the multi-million-pound low-welfare puppy trade. Our undercover special investigations unit rescued over 150 puppies from dealers and ferry ports in 2020.”

He concluded: “Our centres have hit capacity and we desperately need the support of the animal loving Scottish public so that they don’t let animals suffer.”

To find out more about the Scottish SPCA's #DontLetAnimalsSuffer campaign, click 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
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.