Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RSPCA plea as dog reaches 1,000 days in care
Sarah spent much of her early life shut in a kennel but has since grown in confidence.
Sarah, a three-year-old lurcher, arrived at the RSPCA in March 2021.

The RSPCA has launched a fresh appeal to find a home for a three-year-old lurcher which has now been in its care for over 1,000 days.

Sarah was first brought into the RSPCA’s care, alongside other dogs in the same case, in March 2021. In November 2021, she was transferred to RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre in Cambridgeshire.

Due to court proceedings related to the case, Sarah only became available for rehoming in December 2022. However, despite other dogs in the case being rehomed, Sarah is still waiting for a permanent home.

On two occasions, Sarah has been close to finding a new home. RSPCA staff even prepared a banner with the word ‘reserved’ to celebrate.

However, through no fault of Sarah’s, they both fell through at the last minute.

Tiffany Saunders, RSPCA supervisor, said: “We were all just gutted when Sarah’s latest new home fell through.

“She was so very close - we understand completely why they had to change their minds - but it just left us all feeling so disheartened because we really thought this time she had got her own happy ever after.”

When Sarah was rescued, she had spent much of her life shut away in a kennel. She had never been trained to walk on a lead and had to be carried out of the place she was rescued from.

Since then, she has grown in confidence, and enjoys running around the centre’s exercise paddock. She has even been reassuring new dogs at the centre, comforting them in the kennels and sharing her toys with them.

Recently, for her first big day out, Sarah enjoyed a successful charity sight hound walk.

Due to her early life experiences, Sarah may find settling into a new home and new situations overwhelming at first. She would also need further training for day-to-day commands and when out on walks.

Ms Saunders said: “We hope, seeing how long Sarah has been waiting for her own family, someone out there will come forward.”

If you are interested in adopting Sarah, or one of the RSPCA's other dogs, visit its website.

Image © the RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.