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Charities offer financial support for XL bully neutering
The scheme will support owners that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.
New rules for XL bullies begin 31 January.

A group of charities have developed a scheme to support XL bully owners with meeting neutering requirements for exemption.

Blue Cross, Battersea and RSPCA have signed a joint letter offering a maximum of £250 towards the neutering costs of XL bully dogs for owners in need.

The scheme is intended to support responsible owners, who have already completed the other stages of the exemption process, that are finding the cost of neutering a barrier to exemption.

It will be managed through the Blue Cross’ Veterinary Care Fund, launching on 5 February 2024. Until then, the RSPCA are providing vouchers for those in urgent need.

Practices are asked to apply for the fund online on behalf of their clients. The charities will then pay an amount, based on the dog’s gender and the neutering procedure, directly to the veterinary practice.

XL bully owners are able to apply for exemption for their dog before it has been neutered, however they must provide evidence that it has been neutered afterwards. Dogs which are older than one year old on the 31 January 2024 must be neutered by 30 June 2024, while dogs under one year old should be neutered by 31 December 2024.

On 1 February 2024, it will become a criminal offence to own an XL bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption. Following legislation which came into force on 31 December 2023, it is illegal to sell or rehome an XL bully, meaning owners must now either obtain a Certificate of Exemption for their dog or have it euthanised.

The charities hope that this financial support will enable more dog owners to meet the exemption requirements, reducing the likelihood that XL bully owners will opt for euthanasia.

In the letter, the charities write: “While we understand the pressure that practices are under at the moment, we would be grateful if you could support owners in need by meeting the requirements of the exemption process and help keep pets and their people together.”

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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...
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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."