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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
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."