Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Blue Cross reminds cat owners to microchip their pets
Microchip cat
Blue Cross has seen many happy cases of reunions after a long stretch of time because the cat does have a microchip.
78 per cent helped by charity last year were not microchipped

As National Pet Microchipping Month reaches its half-way point, Blue Cross is reminding owners to microchip their pets or risk losing them forever if they stray.

Between May 2016 and May 2017, some 5,760 cats were admitted to the charity’s rehoming centres. However, a staggering 78 per cent of these cats were not microchipped or had to be microchipped by Blue Cross staff.

While many of the cats admitted to the charity are stray, some are in good condition, suggesting they are likely to be a family pet which had gone for a stroll.

Caroline Reay, clinical lead at Blue Cross, commented: “Particularly in the summer months, with cats going out for longer and wandering further, there is a higher risk of straying and of accidents.

“This is why it’s so important to microchip your cat; even if the cat is an indoor cat as there is still risk of them escaping – in fact, indoor cats are more at risk of getting lost if they do escape. So please, be safe and chip your cats.”

As there is no way for Blue Cross staff to contact the original owners of the un-microchipped cats, many will need to be re-homed.

But the charity has also seen many happy cases of reunions after a long stretch of time because the cat does have a microchip.

One lucky feline managed to stray 20 miles from his home, but thankfully his microchip details were up-to-date, so he was able to be reunited with his family.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."