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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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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.