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Reptile relinquishment could be halved with education
"I believe that education is a key aspect of protecting wider reptile welfare" - Helen Tedds.
Research analyses reptile adverts on classified websites.

Better education on reptile care and welfare could almost halve the number of pet reptiles being given up, new research from Hartpury University suggests.

Lecturer in Animal Welfare and academic Helen Tedds is currently undertaking research on the pet reptile trade across England, and has analysed tens of thousands of classified adverts selling reptiles in order to gain an understanding of the reasons that owners give up a pet.

Of the 20,908 reptiles advertised with a reason for sale or rehoming over the last three years, 44.6 per cent cited reasons that Tedds believes could potentially have been avoided by better education on the species.

Discussing her research, Helen said: “Reptiles, like so many other pets, can be extremely rewarding for their owners. However, they often have specialist needs when it comes to things like housing, nutrition, and enrichment.

“Rehoming reptiles can be unsettling for the animal and is often upsetting for the owner, who with the right guidance and support, may feel more confident and empowered to keep the pet and provide a good home.”

Owing to her research, Tedds has been invited to the House of Lords to discuss the launch of the new 'Pet Know How' initiative, created by the Companion Animal Sector Council.

The initiative aims to educate prospective reptile owners before they buy, allowing for greater care and welfare.

Helen commented: “Given the findings from my research, I believe that education is a key aspect of protecting wider reptile welfare and I’m very much in support of this new initiative from the Companion Animal Sector Council.”

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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."