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Ban the sale of pets in shops, urges charity
Marc Abraham with Winnie
Marc Abraham with ex-Blue Cross dog Winnie, outside the charity's Victoria animal hospital.

Blue Cross supports the campaign of celebrity vet Marc Abraham

Animal charity the Blue Cross is supporting a campaign to ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops.

In a bid to tackle the puppy farming industry, TV vet and Pup Aid founder Marc Abraham last year launched an e-petition, campaigning for a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens unless their mothers are present.

As the petition received more than 100,000 signatures, the issue will now be debated in Parliament on September 4.

Blue Cross recently welcomed Marc to its Victoria animal hospital. The charity believes selling puppies and kittens in pet shops leads to impulse buying and compromises animal welfare.

Many of these pets have been bred irresponsibly and taken away from their mothers too young, leading to life-threatening health problems.

The charity, which cares for around 40,000 animals each year, says it often takes in pets that have been bought on impulse.

Rachel Cunningham, the charity's public affairs manager, said Marc's Pup Aid campaign has “captured the public imagination” and is helping to promote responsible pet ownership.

“We are also pleased that these issues are to be discussed in Parliament and we will be working closely with MPs to ensure a full and wide ranging debate,” she added.

Marc commented: “It’s fantastic to have the support of Blue Cross. Calls on the Government to review existing legislation to ensure that prospective owners should always see the puppy or kitten with its mother, and to ban the sale of puppies and kittens from retail centres or puppy supermarkets, would be a really positive step in the right direction for animal welfare in the UK."

Image courtesy of Blue Cross.

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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.