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Calls for mandatory first aid qualifications for pet professionals
"Simple first aid skills could save a pet's life" - Jocelyn Toner, RSPCA.
Initiative receives the backing of the RSPCA and Street Paws.

A petition has been launched calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals.

The Safe Pets and People Campaign calls on dog groomers, dog walkers, breeders or pet sitters to have first aid training so they can act fast should the animal in their care become injured or unwell.

The campaign is the brainchild of Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of training provider iPET Network, which is offering key workers who come into contact with dogs the chance to undertake a dog first aid qualification for free.

National charity RSPCA, Street Paws and The Groomers Spotlight are among the animal organisations that have welcomed the initiative. 

RSPCA head vet Jocelyn Toner said: “We advise that all professional dog walkers should have first aid training, and we’d be supportive of any campaign to roll this out to include all individuals who work within the pet industry.

“Simple first aid skills could save a pet’s life or ensure an animal receives immediate care before they’re able to see a vet and we think it’s a wonderful idea that the Safe Pets and People Campaign wants all pet professionals - from groomers to breeders - to have basic first aid training.”

Street Paws founder Michelle Southern added: "We are proud to support Safe Pets and People as the more people that have these vital first aid skills the better. 

“From our perspective as a charity offering canine first aid is opening real doors for the homeless people and their dogs that we support. Having this knowledge and other skills allows hostels to be safer and more dog friendly, and that means safe beds on these cold winter nights for people and their loyal companions."

At the time of writing, the petition had garnered more than 500 signatures. To find out more and to lend your support to the campaign, visit change.org

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com