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Volunteers evacuate pets from Ukraine combat zones
Olha Zaitseva alongside two fellow volunteers.
Pets and people are being moved to safety.

Volunteers are risking their lives to rescue pets from cities on the current front-line of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

The Elefond foundation, founded by Olha Zaitseva, is currently evacuating animals from cities, towns and villages in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Ocheretyne, Stepove and Chasiv Yar. The foundation also helps civilians leave dangerous areas.

Ms Zaitseva has been evacuating people and pets from the front-line since March 2022 as well as delivering humanitarian aid to those who are still living in conflict zones.

She said: “Many people leave animals, and the most painful part is that they leave them chained. Every time people were evacuated, everyone was asked to either untie their animals or I walked around and checked yards after people.”

While working in the city of Selydove, she was injured and has developed hearing difficulties in her left ear. Andrew Bagshaw and Chris Parry, two international volunteers who worked alongside her, were killed on the front-line in January 2023.

A project in memory of Mr Parry, called AnimalsParry, has been launched by Ms Zaitseva to help animals rescued in Ukraine.

Ms Zaitseva said: “Chris and I always took care of animals together and wanted to establish a shelter together, but we didn't have time.

“Therefore, I want Chris to be remembered. To continue evacuating them, we need new enclosures, more spaces, and more territory.”

The volunteers are receiving support from the charity U-Hearts, which has been providing Zaitseva’s team with pet food to feed the animals they rescue.

Image © U-Hearts

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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."