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 marks 125 years of animal welfare work
Pictured: a postcard from the Blue Cross historic archive 'Vet and Nurse bandaging dog'.

A new survey on people and pets' connection marks the occasion. 

Marking 125 years of charity work, national pet charity Blue Cross has released the results of a new survey, demonstrating the deep-rooted and important connection between people and pets.

Of the respondents, 40 per cent said that their early pets were their fondest childhood memory, over 60 per cent said that the pandemic made them realise the importance of owning a pet, and 42 per cent agreed that owning a pet is vital to combatting loneliness. 

With the increase in pet ownership across the UK, the work that Blue Cross does to support pets and people through rehoming, veterinary, animal behaviour and pet bereavement services is just as necessary as the charity's early work supporting the working horses of London. 

Kerry Taylor, Education Manager at Blue Cross, commented on the importance of the charity's work after 125 years: “We are very proud of our heritage and the work the charity does in 2022. 

“We are needed today more than ever, with people seeking help after an impulse purchase of a pet online from unscrupulous sellers. Something which sadly we know increased during the pandemic, with pet theft and scams online escalating and costs for puppies rocketing into the thousands.

“We strongly advise anyone thinking of getting a pet to look at a rescue who has been fully assessed and checked by a vet before adoption. If buying a puppy, then we strongly recommend thorough research before hitting the ‘buy now’ button online.”

Since the charity's formation in 1897, the Blue Cross estimates that 38 million lives have been impacted by its work, with plans to support over 120,000 pets over the next three years.

 

Image (C) Blue Cross

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

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.