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Animal Health Trust warns of 'imminent closure'
The Animal Health Trust is the leading veterinary and scientific research charity.

Trustees and executives seeking emergency funding

The Animal Health Trust has announced that it will be closing 'imminently' unless emergency funding can be found.

In a statement, the charity said the announcement follows a period of 'dire financial constraint' and the economic impact of COVID-19 - both of which have had a direct effect on funding.

The charity said that it is continuing to seek emergency funds, including the potential use of  government schemes – but without urgent input is likely to close 'at the end of this month'.

Established in 1942, the Animal Health Trust is the leading veterinary and scientific research charity dedicated to the health and welfare of animals. The organisation employs more than 250 people, including vets, nurses, scientists and support staff.

The full statement, in full, is as follows:

'We are devastated to announce that following a period of dire financial constraints, and now with the economic implications of Covid-19 having a direct effect on funding, our charity is facing imminent closure.

The Animal Health Trust has been in existence for more than 75 years and makes a significant difference to the health and welfare of animals.

Much of the work we do is unique, and without us, this work will cease, putting thousands of animals at risk from disease and injury.

The Trustees and Executive Committee continue to seek emergency funding, including the potential use of recently announced Government Schemes, in order to save the unparalleled knowledge and expertise the organisation houses, but without an urgent input of significant funds the charity is likely to close at the end of this month.

We are working with our 257 members of staff to support them through this difficult time.

Further updates will be available in due course'.

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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.