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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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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.