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Fostering up 170 per cent, Scottish SPCA reports
The charity is focusing on growing fostering to reduce long stays in its centres.
The charity placed 178 animals in temporary homes between January and March.

The Scottish SPCA has reported a dramatic rise in animal fostering in 2025, with an increase of 170 per cent in the first quarter.

Between January and March, the charity found temporary homes for 178 animals, compared to just 66 during the same period in 2024. It has also seen a 6.9 per cent increase in adoptions and a 5.5 per cent drop in arrivals.

The charity believes that this increase is the result of a focused effort to reduce the pressure on their rescue centres. It has guided its campaigning on preventative and community-based work, aiming for more sustainable approaches to rescue, rehabilitation and adoption.

The Scottish SPCA’s 2025 strategy sees the charity focus on growing animal fostering, which reduces long stays at its centres. It also helps the animals to recover and rehabilitate in a supportive environment.

The charity explains that many animals do not cope well within a centre environment and some are not well socialised with people and animals.

One such foster family is Matt and Anna Wintle, a couple living in Ayrshire which first signed up as fosterers in 2022.

Since then, they have fostered 12 cats and 43 kittens. They even transformed a corner of their home into a ‘Caternity Ward’.

Their first foster was a ten-week-old kitten called Jim Hopper, which they then went on to adopt.

After Jim Hopper, the couple took on the challenge of fostering a pregnant cat. Matt and Anna say this led them to a ‘crash course’ in looking after kittens and ‘a houseful of tiny chaos’.

The couple works full-time, but says the flexibility of remote working and the support from Scottish SPCA made fostering a possibility for them.

Matt said: “It’s hard to explain how satisfying it is – you have to experience it.

“It’s just wonderful to know we played a small part in giving them a helping hand from a rough start into a loving forever home.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
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UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.