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Study warns on invasive species
Photo - Carl Morrow/Alamy
Irish Hare at risk of extinction

A study by Queen's University in Belfast has warned that many species native to Ireland will face extinction if the expansion of invasive species from overseas such as the American grey squirrel, the bank vole and the greater white toothed shrew is not checked. Species at risk include the Irish Hare (pictured), the red squirrel, and the red deer.

Published in the journal Biological Invasions, the study claims that Ireland's native small mammals will be wiped out in approximately 80% of their natural habitat if the rate of invasion continues at the present rate.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Ian Montgomery, of the School of Biological Sciences at Queens University said "It is no longer tenable to treat each invasive species as an isolated case. We should establish a realistic plan identifying the mammal species that are key to maintaining our unique biodiversity and ecology and those that we should eliminate or control."

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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...
News Shorts
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."