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RNLI lifeguard rescues budgie on a beach
Blue the budgie with the RNLI lifeguards.

The bird had travelled almost nine miles away from home.

An adventurous budgie who took a four-day trip away from home has been reunited with his owner, thanks to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Blue went missing from his home in Wales but days later, he was found on Aberavon beach – almost nine miles away - by a group of schoolchildren.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Sophie Phillips was called out to the unusual rescue and cared for the bird while her team tried to locate the owner.

After appealing to local vets, it was a Facebook post by the lifeguards that eventually caught the attention of Blue's owner, and the pair were finally reunited.

After the rescue, Sophie said: “The last thing I expected to see was a budgie on the beach, and we were so glad we were able to help reunite the bird with its owner’.

Grateful for the efforts of Sophie and the lifeguards, Blue's owner made a charitable donation to the RNLI.

Image (C) RNLI.

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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.