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MSPs meet with Cats Protection
Pictured: MSPs with members of the Cats Protection team.

Charity discussed priorities for cat welfare in Scotland.

Cats Protection, leading feline welfare charity, met with members of the Scottish parliament (MSPs) to discuss improving cat welfare across Scotland.

Attended by 25 MSPs, the event took place on 16 June at Holyrood, and was held to educate MSPs on how they can best support Scottish cats and their owners, highlighting current concerns and campaigns for MSPs to be aware of.

“It was wonderful to welcome so many MSPs who were keen to find out how they can support cats and the people who care about them,” said Alice Palombo, Cats Protection's advocacy and government relations officer for Scotland.

“Scotland is a nation of cat lovers, with 20% of households owning one, so their welfare is important to a huge number of people.”

The event was sponsored by Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, who enthusiastically promoted it on Twitter, sharing images of himself with a giant kitten banner, and cat-shaped biscuits.

The charity has revealed that its campaign to encourage more landlords to allow tenants to keep pet cats was discussed at the parliamentary reception, as well as its calls for compulsory microchipping of pet cats in Scotland.

Alice explained the importance of the event for keeping MSPs up-to-date on key feline welfare discussions: “While Scotland already has some strong legislation in place to protect cats, there is always more that can be done, such as banning snares and introducing fireworks licensing.”

“We were pleased to discuss these priorities with so many MSPs as part of our work to help cats in Scotland.”

 

Image (C) Cats Protection

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.