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Think Again Lovebirds
Lovebirds are very pretty birds but they also require a lot of time and care.
Thinking of buying your special one a pair of lovebirds this Valentine’s Day?  Though lovebirds sound romantic, there’s much more work in caring for them than you first imagined.

Lovebirds are active, cheerful and beautifully decorative. These petite 'pocket' parrots are very intriguing, however, these birds are pets for enthusiasts and they are a long term commitment.

Lisa Jarvis, Lantra’s Industry Partnership Manager said: “Lovebirds can live up to 20 years, so you need to be sure that you can commit for that long before buying these pets. The most time-consuming part of caring for lovebirds is the effort required to tame them, a delicate process that needs to be fulfilled so you and your lovebirds have a long and happy life together.”

So if the demands of caring for lovebirds just aren’t right for you or your special one, perhaps a donation to a bird charity such as the RSPB or a trip to a bird sanctuary this Valentine's Day might be the perfect gift instead!

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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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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.