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Puppy love is in the air
dog with present
One in 10 pet owners surveyed said they will get their dog or cat a Valentine's Day gift.
Pets and partners on a par this Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day looming, love is definitely in the air for pet owners as a new survey shows one in 10 people plan to buy their cat or dog a gift.

The most popular way to spoil our furry friends is a special meal, according to the survey by Co-operative Pet Insurance. A fifth of those who planned to treat their pets in this way said they would be cooking the meal themselves.

Other top 10 gifts were treats, pet-friendly chocolate, toys, a new collar, an item of clothing, new bedding, a cuddly toy, new walking gear and a grooming/pamper day.

One in five pet owners who took part in the survey said they spend as much on their pet as their partner - with the average amount being £23. About 40 per cent said it was just as important to spend Valentine's Day with their pet as their partner.

But for some owners, pets take priority. One in 10 people admitted they love their pet more than their partner and would prefer to celebrate the day with them. 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.