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Gull saved from illegal glue trap
Glue traps were banned in Scotland in March.
The Scottish SPCA rescued the bird after it became stuck to the trap.

A gull stuck in an illegal glue trap has had to be rescued by the Scottish SPCA.

The bird was found attached to the glue trap, which had been set for rats, at a property in Aberdeen on Saturday, 10 August.

The trap had become stuck to the underneath of the bird’s wing. An animal rescue officer from the charity took him to a Scottish SPCA centre where it took several warm soapy washes to successfully remove the trap.

Glue traps use non-drying adhesive to capture animals such as mice and rats. They were made illegal to purchase and use in Scotland in March as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. The ban includes their use by pest control professionals.

A ban on using glue traps in England came into force on 31 July, but with an exception allowing them to still be used by people with a glue trap licence.

The Scottish SPCA has long opposed the use of glue traps and welcomed the ban in Scotland when it was introduced.

The animal rescue officer who attended the scene said: “The poor gull was so stressed after his ordeal, he was transferred to our wildlife centre for further treatment to remove the glue from his feathers after some well-earned rest.

“If anyone finds a trapped animal in distress or spots a trap or snare they suspect is illegal, please don’t hesitate to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”

Image © Shutterstock

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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...
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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."