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Petplan pledges free pet insurance for Ukrainian refugees
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets" Kieran O'Keeffe, Petplan.
Pets will be able to receive treatment for their first year in the UK.

Insurance provider Petplan has announced that it will be offering free pet insurance to all Ukrainian families bringing their pets to the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Announcing the move at the recent Petplan Veterinary Awards, the insurer revealed that pets will be able to receive treatment under its Classic Covered for Life policy. Under this policy, owners will be able to claim up to £4,000 should their pet fall ill or become injured during the first year of living in the UK.

It comes after Petplan's charity arm - the Petplan Charitable Trust - donated £25,000 to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund to help animal welfare charities on the Ukrainian front line.

Kieran O'Keeffe, managing director at Petplan, said: “We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets. At Petplan, we know that pets are part of the family and that many Ukrainians are taking their pets with them as they flee to safety. 

“We recognise the important role pets will continue to play in the lives of these Ukrainian families. We hope that by providing them with free Petplan insurance we can at least reduce their concerns over veterinary costs and ensure that their pets have access to the care they need.” 

To find out more about the support, Ukrainian families or their English-speaking hosts may contact Petplan on 0330 057 3662. 

Should a pet be presented to a UK veterinary practice by a Ukrainian refugee without pet insurance, the practice team should call Petplan’s Vetline on 0330 102 1606 - and financial support will be provided retrospectively.

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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."