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Independent veterinary practices unite against IVC legal threats
IVC has extended the compliance deadline until the 31st December 2025.
Practice managers have received legal letters for using the phrase ‘Pet Health Club’

More than 150 veterinary professionals have joined forces against legal threats from IVC Evidensia over the use of the term ‘pet health club’.

Earlier this year, IVC sent out letters to a number of independent veterinary practices, claiming trademarks on two ‘Pet Health Club’ logos and the phrase ‘Pet Health Club’ — maintaining that it has been used as a trading name since 2015.

Since then, IVC has sent follow-up letters to a number of practices to offer a stay of execution and extended the compliance deadline until the 31st December 2025. The collective cost to rebrand so many ‘Pet Health Clubs’ is estimated to be between £250,000 and £350,000.

In response, a support group named ‘We are Spartacus’ was set up to unite all the affected practices, as well as the wider veterinary community. The group has since appointed an intellectual property lawyer to provide specialist advice on whether the term could be protected with a word mark.

Group member Alex Green of Broadway Vets said that while IVC has extended its compliance deadline, the group is still concerned with how the organisation has gone about contacting veterinary practices. He urged those who have not yet come forward to show their support for ‘We are Spartacus’.

“We’re also keen to hear from those that received initial letters and haven’t yet had a follow-up offering a stay of execution until the end of the year,” he said. “Whilst we’re delighted that IVC has extended their deadline, it does not resolve the fact that their threats are unacceptable when every practice in the country provides animal, or ‘pet’, healthcare, or ‘health’, in a community-based service, or ‘club’.

“They don’t need to fight or worry about this on their own and we’re stronger as a collective, especially when it comes to pooling resources and expertise. We’ve already appointed a specialist IP lawyer to advise us, and the view is that given the extensive prior use of ‘Pet Health Club,’ it would be crazy to allow this to escalate to court when it can be amicably resolved.”

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

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.