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Fresh calls to allow pets in care homes
elderly woman with cat
Estimates suggest more than 140,000 elderly people who move into care homes or sheltered housing are forced to relinquish their pets each year. (stock photo)
Rallies held to help 87-year-old keep his dog
 
Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition urging a Scottish care home to reverse its decision to evict an 87-year-old man unless he relinquishes his dog.

Rallies were held over the weekend (12 February) in Westminster and Edinburgh in protest against Mead Medical Services Ltd and Burnfoot Hall management.

Burnfoot Hall care home in Ecclefechan served Bob Harvey, 87, will a formal notice requiring him to remove his schnauzer dog Darkie by 14 February, or face eviction on 19 April. A petition set up by his close friend Tracey Streit has received nearly 240,000 signatures. A JustGiving page aiming to raise £150,000 for Bob has so far raised just under £30,000.

Bob moved into the care home with his wife nearly four years ago, on the condition that they could keep their dog Darkie. Sadly Bob’s wife was suffering from a terminal illness and died two years ago.

Burnfoot Hall care home reportedly says Darkie is causing trouble and plans are in place to change its policy on pets. Bob has to undergo dialysis three times a week and the requirement to part with his dog has left him “heartbroken, unable to eat or sleep”, according to the petition letter.

Estimates suggest more than 140,000 elderly people who move into care homes or sheltered housing are forced to relinquish their pets each year. Of these, many fail to find new owners and are euthanised. Research shows many owners show visible signs of distress on relinquishing their pets. 

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.