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Partnership to highlight strength of human-animal bond
HABRI and WSAVA will promote the science of the human-animal bond and the veterinary profession's role in animal welfare and human wellbeing.
HABRI and WSAVA will showcase the role of vets in animal welfare and human wellbeing.

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) have joined forces in a bid to promote the human-animal bond and the health benefits of interacting with pets. 

It comes after survey findings released by HABRI show that 92 per cent of pet owners were more likely to maintain their pet’s health if they were aware of the human health benefits of pet ownership. The survey of US pet owners also revealed that 89 per cent were more likely to maintain their pet’s health through regular check-ups with a vet.

Through the partnership, HABRI and WSAVA will promote the science of the human-animal bond and the veterinary profession’s role in animal welfare and human wellbeing. The WSAVA is also represented on the Advisory Committee which contributes to the development of HABRI’s online Human Animal Bond Certification Course.

Past WSAVA president Dr Shane Ryan said: “Caring for an animal companion provides benefit not only for the animal itself in terms of its health and welfare needs but can have many positive benefits for the owner.

“This mutually beneficial relationship, with a shared lifestyle and environment, forms the basis of the human-animal bond. Partnering with HABRI will help WSAVA provide veterinary practitioners everywhere with further resources to ensure the veterinarians continue to play an essential role in maintaining the resilience of this bond.”

HABRI president Steven Feldman added: “Veterinarians are uniquely positioned as trusted resources for pet owners who are more attuned to their pets’ health needs than ever before. HABRI is proud to join with WSAVA to help veterinarians connect with their clients and share scientific information about the human-animal bond.” 

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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."