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Welsh schoolchildren debate animal welfare responsibility
The schools gathered at the National Assembly for Wales to debate who is responsible for animal welfare.
Pupils vote on whether animal welfare should be on the curriculum

Schoolchildren across Wales have been putting the spotlight on animal welfare as part of the fourth RSPCA Cymru Great Debate.

Ysgol Plasmawr (Cardiff), Pembroke School (Pembrokeshire), Builth Wells High (Powys), Cardiff High (Cardiff), Ysgol Bryn Tawe (Swansea) and Ysgol Rhydywaun (Rhondda Cynon Taf) all took part in the event, which took place at the National Assembly for Wales on Friday (22 June).

The schools debated which agency or group should have responsibility for animal welfare, weighing up whether the general public, the Welsh government, vets, local authorities, the RSPCA or the police are ultimately responsible for keeping animals safe and well.  

The day featured an RSPCA quiz hosted by celebrity supporter Matt Lissack and a tour of the Senedd. RSPCA chief inspector Elaine Spence also fielded questions from pupils about the work of RSPCA officers on the frontline.

“The debate gives schoolchildren hands-on experience of the National Assembly for Wales and allows them to research and explore animal welfare in a building where so many decisions for our fellow creatures are made in Wales,” said RSPCA education, training and development adviser Rebecca Dunning.

"It truly is an amazing day - and the schools in attendance embraced all the opportunities on offer - from debating to acting as journalists, experiencing Wales' democracy, quizzing a senior RSPCA officer and meeting celebrity DJ Matt Lissack."

The schoolchildren took part in a vote at the event, asking if they felt animal welfare should feature on the school curriculum, and – if so – from what age. All 38 pupils taking part felt the topic should be taught to pupils in schools.

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.