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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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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
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.