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Vet squad to tackle pet welfare issues
vet squad
The PDSA vet squad consists of over 50 vets and nurses who will educate pet owners on the importance of preventative healthcare.

Charity initiative hopes to educate pet owners
 
A new charity vet squad is on a mission to tackle some of the UK's troubling pet health and welfare issues.

The team consists of over 50 vets and nurses, one for each of the PDSA's pet hospitals.

They will educate animal owners on preventative healthcare, with the aim of boosting the uptake of vaccinations, neutering, parasite treatments and microchipping.

Figures from the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report show more than 6 million pets are not receiving their booster vaccinations, while 4.1 million dogs, cats and rabbits have not been neutered, leaving them open to a number of potentially deadly, preventable diseases.

Furthermore, the report found 6.3 million pets in the UK are not microchipped. Many owners remain unaware of upcoming legislation making this procedure compulsory for all dogs in England.

The PDSA formed the vet squad with the help of a £550,000 funding award from the People's Postcode Lottery.

Nicola Martin, the charity's head of pet health and welfare, said the money will make a huge difference in addressing some of the main welfare issues affecting our pets.

Funds will also enable the charity to hold open days at its hospitals to engage with the public, as well as developing a new range of pet health advice materials and hosting live Q&A sessions on social media with vets and nurses.

Image courtesy of PDSA

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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.