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Student launches petition to put animal welfare on curriculum
RVC student Kristopher Dorr is calling on the government to introduce animal health and welfare to the national curriculum.

Appeal calls for a compulsory course

A veterinary student is calling on the government to introduce animal health and welfare to the national curriculum.

Over 2000 people have already signed the petition, which calls on the Department of Education to launch a compulsory course that teaches students how to treat and perceive animals.

It has been launched in conjunction with Louise Craggs, who launched a similar petition earlier this year.

RVC student Kristopher Dorr said that education could reduce the suffering of animals and give future generations an understanding of animal care.

Having worked in city farm where children can interact with animals, Mr Dorr said that he had witnessed the impact a single animal can have on a child.

“That connection gives them a real understanding that that animal has needs, it can feel pain, and we should care for them,” he said.

“I feel educating children helps them develop a more compassionate and caring personality and hopefully through this, we will see a fall in a number of animal abuse cases.”

Mr Dorr also believes that education could be a key factor in giving future generations an understanding of where their food comes from.

“Society today has dissociated itself from the food making industry. This has been demonstrated several times by unsubstantiated claims against the industry through social media,” he said.

“I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it should be an educated stance."

The appeal will be considered for debate after 100,000 people have signed the petition. To lend your support, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/170481
.

Image (C) Kristopher Dorr

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.