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Kennel Club to offer Respiratory Function Grading at Crufts
This is the first time that The Kennel Club will be offering free Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments to brachycephalic breeds at the show.
The assessments are open to French bulldog, bulldog and pug exhibitors. 

The Kennel Club is offering free Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments for bulldog, French bulldog and pug exhibitors at Crufts for the first time.

These assessments will be available on Saturday, 12 March, and bookings will not be taken in advance. Any exhibitors wishing to secure an assessment can do so by speaking to the assessors, or visiting The Kennel Club stand. 

Alongside the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme assessments, The Kennel Club is also offering free eye testing to all exhibitors.

Booked on a first-come first-served basis, the eye testing sessions have been funded jointly by The Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association (BVA), there will be 60 eye testing appointments per day.

Exhibitors are encouraged to book by emailing health@thekennelclub.org.uk with the following details, the name of the owner, the registered name of the dog, registration number, microchip number, preferred time slot (am or pm), and mobile telephone number. 

Crufts show manager Vanessa McAlpine commented on the testing: “By screening breeding stock, breeders can use the information to eliminate or reduce the frequency of eye disease or breathing issues being passed on to puppies. 

“We are expecting a huge uptake for this offer.” 

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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.