Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd August 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

GPS tracking and thermal imaging used to find missing tortoise
Sarah with Zuma
Sarah Joiner has owned Zuma for four decades.

Pet rescued after being collected by a rubbish truck

A pet tortoise that crawled into a rubbish bag and was collected by a refuse lorry has been returned home safe and well, after city council and waste services staff went to extreme lengths to save him.

Worried owner Sarah Joiner, 56, called Westminster City Council when she realised her 90-year-old tortoise Zuma was missing.

Council staff leapt into action, using GPS tracking to find the lorry that had collected Zuma. Luckily, they were able to trace the collection vehicle, which was carrying 10 tonnes of waste, before it tipped its waste into the huge storage bunker which processes thousands of tonnes of waste.

Zuma's owner Sarah donned protective clothing and helped waste management staff in their search for her tortoise. Aided by a thermal imaging camera, they hunted through around 1,000 black bin bags and, after a two-and-a-half hour search, found Zuma unharmed.

Contract manager Lynn Davis, commented: "I'm delighted we were able to find Zuma and return him to Mrs Joiner unharmed, he really has survived against the odds. The team were all keen to help when they heard what had happened and together we were able to ensure that the search was conducted safely and effectively.

"This was certainly a different way to spend a Friday afternoon and I'm just relieved we were successful."

Sarah, who has owned Zuma for four decades, added: "Thank you is never going to be enough. It was amazing teamwork; there was no nonsense about it just enormous goodwill in finding him."

Image courtesy of Westminster City Council

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."