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Blue Cross and the Scottish SPCA partner up to help people in crisis
"By collaborating and combining services we can reach many more people in crisis." - Chris Burghes, Blue Cross.

Charities to collaborate in expanding services across UK.

The Blue Cross and the Scottish SPCA have announced plans to work in partnership moving forward in order to provide better support for people and pets in need.

The two charities have launched a joint research study with the University of Edinburgh to identify new methods of reaching pet owners in remote, minority or vulnerable communities.

This research will then inform new strategies that utilise both organisations' unique services and specialist knowledge to help pet owners that are struggling financially or have difficulty accessing animal welfare services such as veterinary care.

Blue Cross CEO, Chris Burghes, said: “By collaborating and combining services we can reach many more people in crisis who, through no fault of their own, need support in ensuring their companions are healthy and happy.

“One long term goal at Blue Cross is to ensure we can help those most in need and as we plan to expand our services across the UK, we very much look forward to working with the Scottish SPCA to help more people in Scotland and their pets.”

One key area where the charities will collaborating is in connecting their fostering networks to enable more pets across borders to benefit from both the organisations’ resources and welfare expertise.

They will also be looking to expand the Blue Cross' behavioural advice service and improve on-site accommodation at the Scottish SPCA for puppies rescued from the illegal puppy trade.

Scottish SPCA chief executive, Kirsteen Campbell said: “There’s so much shared DNA between Blue Cross and the Scottish SPCA and we have a fantastic opportunity here to make best use of our collective expertise, be ambitious and make a difference to the lives of people and their pets across Scotland.”

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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."