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New charity alliance to help homeless pet owners
The partnership is expected to play a vital role in communities across the UK.

StreetVet teams up with Battersea to expand its outreach programme.

National charity StreetVet has announced an alliance with Battersea to transform the lives of homeless people and their pets across the UK.

Over the next five years, the alliance – funded by a Battersea grant – will work together to provide preventative, routine and emergency veterinary care to thousands of pet dogs, cats and other companion animals.

With some 300,000 people in the UK experiencing homelessness – 25 per cent of which have pets – the partnership is expected to play a vital role in communities across the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall. 

Moreover, with support from Battersea, StreetVet will expand its volunteering outreach programme to people sleeping rough, living in temporary accommodation or living in insecure housing. 

Over 300 vets and veterinary nurses already volunteer at 23 existing StreetVet locations across the UK, providing free food, pet essentials and veterinary checkups. The alliance will see further outreaches set up in new locations, almost doubling the support for homeless pets and their owners. 

Peter Laurie, chief executive at Battersea, said: “With ongoing cost of living challenges and tragically high levels of homelessness in this country, we’re proud to be launching this alliance with StreetVet to expand their vital services. By working together many more pets and people experiencing homelessness will be able to access essential veterinary care and life-changing support, and in doing so we’ll be helping to preserve the incredibly special human-animal bond.” 
 
Zoe Abbotts, CEO at StreetVet said, "We are thrilled to announce the new alliance between StreetVet and Battersea. This alliance opens up exciting opportunities for us to work together in supporting more pets and their owners experiencing homelessness across the UK. 

“The alliance will enable StreetVet to extend our reach to more locations, something we have been unable to achieve until now due to limited resources. We recognise the nationwide demand for our vital support and are committed to expanding our services to meet this need. In these challenging times, our mission to keep pets healthy, happy and by their owner's side is more crucial than ever." 

Image (C) Battersea/StreetVet.

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Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course relaunched

News Story 1
 The VMD has announced dates for its next Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course.

The event will relaunch on Thursday, 23 October 2025 from 9am to 5pm and will be delivered through an interactive online session.

It is open for anyone involved in a veterinary dispensary role, whether they are new to the topic or looking for a refresh. Attendees will receive vital insights into the safe and compliant handling of veterinary medicines.

The course can be booked online for £495. 

Click here for more...
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New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.