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‘Relief’ as circus bill passes final reading
The bill will bring England into line with other parts of the UK, including Scotland and Ireland.
Wild animals to be banned in circuses from 2020 

A bill to ban wild animals in circuses in England has passed its final reading in the House of Lords. It is likely to come into force in January 2020, after receiving royal assent.

Environment secretary Michael Gove confirmed the ban in May this year, seven years after the government first announced its intention to ban wild animals in travelling circuses.

Dr Ros Clubb, senior scientific manager at the RSPCA, said the charity is “absolutely delighted and hugely relieved” by the news.

She added: “The RSPCA has campaigned for decades for this practice to be outlawed, highlighting how the welfare of wild animals based in such settings is likely to be heavily compromised. The transient nature of circuses - alongside cramped accommodation and forced training for animals - highlights how inappropriate they are for wild animals.

“Wild animals like zebras, camels, raccoons and reindeer have complex needs that can never be adequately met in a circus.  We believe their welfare is compromised with stressful, frequent journeys, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance. 

“We are glad the practice of using wild animals in circuses is to be consigned to the history books in England at long last.”

The bill will bring England into line with other parts of the UK, including Scotland and Ireland, which have already implemented bans. A bill was also recently introduced to the National Assembly for Wales.

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.