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Veterinary staff help Ruby shed the pounds
Head veterinary nurse, Lindsay Atkinson, holding Ruby before her weight loss
Morbidly obese Jack Russell loses one third of body weight

With the help of the PDSA's veterinary nurses and surgeons, five-year-old Jack Russell terrier Ruby has managed to lose a third of her body weight, winning the charity's annual slimming competition.

In May this year, 16 dogs, cats and rabbits began a tailored six-month diet and exercise programme, overseen by the PDSA's veterinary team.

Four years ago, this year's weight-loss champion, Ruby, was taken to an animal shelter after she was found underweight and roaming the streets in Sunderland.

Back in May, Ruby was morbidly obese at 9.1kg - more than 50 per cent overweight.
When her current owner, Angela Martin, adopted Ruby, she admits the family "spoilt her rotten" and lavished treats and affection on her.

Angela says: "When Ruby first came to us, we all felt really sorry for her as she’d had such a tough start to life. So to compensate, we used to give her a little treat here and there. The trouble was, the whole family was giving her ‘a little treat’ and over time, she started to get really big."

Ruby after losing one-third of her body weight

Back in May, Ruby was morbidly obese at 9.1kg - more than 50 per cent overweight. Thanks to the Pet Fit Club, she is now a much healthier 6.2kg and has shed a massive 17cm from her waist.

Senior veterinary surgeon for the PDSA, Elaine Pendlebury, said: "Angela and her family have worked really hard and have shown that it’s never too late to make a positive change.

"With help from PDSA and lots of determination they have completely changed Ruby’s life. The weight loss means she will feel much fitter and happier, and her life expectancy is likely to be longer now than she has shed the excess weight."

Commenting on Ruby's success, Angela added: "We are absolutely delighted with the results and can’t thank PDSA enough for helping Ruby to slim down. Winning the competition is wonderful, but the real prize is seeing Ruby enjoying a new lease of life tearing around the garden and playing with her toys."

The PDSA team helped this year's finalists to lose a total of 57kg. Though this will vastly improve the animals' health, happiness and quality of life, it's not all about weight loss.

Lindsay Atkinson, head veterinary nurse at the Sunderland PDSA PetAid Hospital, says: "One of our main aims with this competition is to raise awareness of this serious welfare issue among the general public."

To find out more about this year's competition, see the Pet Fit Club video.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.