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Call for 'Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans'
Ethicists, psychologists attest to 'individuality'

The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest scientific conference, has been told by experts in animal behaviour, philosophy, ethics, psychology and conservation that dolphins and whales merit treatment under the same ethical considerations as humans. To recognise their rights in such a manner would therefore force an end to whaling and all forms of captivity including use in entertainment.

Professor Tom White from Loyola Marymount University, a noted ethicist who wrote 'In Defence of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier', told those present that "A person needs to be an individual. If individuals count, then the deliberate killing of individuals of this sort is ethically the equivalent of deliberately killing a human being. We're saying the science has shown that individuality - consciousness, self-awareness - is no longer a unique human property. That poses all kinds of challenges."

The proposed 'Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans' was first agreed in 2010. It contains articles stating that "no cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude, be subject to cruel treatment, or be removed from their natural environment", "no cetacean is the property of any state, corporation, human group or individual", and that "The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this declaration should be protected under international and domestic law."

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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."