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Kennel Club issues advice for dog owners as restrictions continue to lift
"Many puppies, and even older dogs, will have lost vital socialisation and training opportunities due to lockdown restrictions." Bill Lambert.

Organisation offers dog-friendly tips on socialisation and travel.

The Kennel Club is offering advice to new and existing dog owners as COVID-19 restrictions continue to lift, through its recently released ‘Paw-by-Paw Guide out of Lockdown.'

The guide, published earlier this year after the roadmap out of lockdown was announced by the government, provides information and advice on navigating certain situations and environments, travel and staycations, and ways to ensure dogs are comfortable around new people and animals.

It aims to help dog owners re-adjust to the wider world after spending months at home with their pets and includes tips on walking in the countryside, warm weather advice – both for the summer and for trips away – and guidance on navigating dog-friendly establishments.

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at The Kennel Club, said: “Whether you have a well-balanced dog or a new puppy, a year of pandemic restrictions means that our pets have missed out on lots of socialisation opportunities, walks to new or further afield places, trips away and generally life as we knew it.

“In fact, many puppies may have only experienced life in lockdown, and we can’t expect them to immediately adapt to what ‘normal’ life is like; we need to ease them in and help them to learn about the wider world.

“Many puppies, and even older dogs, will have lost vital socialisation and training opportunities due to lockdown restrictions and need their owners to lead the way, recognising their responsibilities and preparing them as the world continues to open up.”

The Kennel Club's 'Paw-by-Paw Guide' is available on the Kennel Club website.

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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.