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

Nominations open for SPVS Business Excellence Awards 2025
Last year's overall winner, and the best Veterinary start-up, was The Manchester Cat Clinic.

The awards recognise vet practices across three categories.

The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has opened nominations for this year’s Veterinary Business Excellence Awards.

Veterinary practices are invited to nominate themselves in one of three categories: Leadership & Management Skills, Team & Self Development, and Veterinary start ups.

The ‘Leadership & Management Skills’ category celebrates practices with visionary leadership, strategic planning, and resource management. Practices must be able to demonstrate how leadership skills have led to innovative development.

The ‘Team & Self Development’ category will recognise a practice with a strong and supportive culture. The winning practice will showcase excellent morale, collaborative team-working and effective communication.

Finally, for practices which started in the last 2.5 years, there is the ‘Veterinary start ups’ category. 

There are three key criteria for a winning start up: understanding of business finance, positive workplace culture and a demonstrably high level of care.

Practices can nominate themselves via an online form, but can only submit an application in one category. Their nomination should explain why they meet the winning criteria for their category, and should share how SPVS has supported their practice to grow.

Nominations will close at 5pm on 17th October 2025.

The SPVS Board will review submissions and select the top five nominated veterinary practices in each category. Each of these practices will be awarded a book of their choice from 5M Books.

The five nominated practices in each category will then be asked to submit a 90 second video that showcases their accomplishments. A panel of veterinary influencers, as well as the SPVS president and junior vice president, will evaluate the final submissions and vote for a winner in each category.

The category winners will be announced at the end of December 2025, with the overall winner revealed at the SPVS Congress opening ceremony in February 2026.

Last year’s overall winner was The Manchester Cat Clinic, which was also the winner of the ‘Veterinary start ups’ category.

Daniel Lee, director and veterinary surgeon of Manchester Cat Clinic, said: “We entered SPVS Business Excellence Awards to celebrate our team’s hard work and our unique approach to feline care.

“The process gave us fresh insights into our business, encouraged reflection on our growth and connected us with like-minded practices striving for excellence.”

Nominations can be submitted on the SPVS website.

Image used with permission from SPVS.

Copyright (C) J Duckworth

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

Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
VMD issues guidance on AVM-GSL packaging

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has shared advice on its requirements for medicines considered AVM-GSL.

The guidance explains the information that should be on the outer package, and sets out the typical maximum pack size for an AVM-GSL product. It also describes the user-friendly language, structure and phrases required on packaging and product leaflets.

AVM-GSL products do not require discussion between the purchaser and a veterinary professional. This means that clear product information is needed to support sales choices.

The information will be useful for submitting new products to the AVM-GSL category and lowering the distribution category of products from NFA-VPS to AVM-GSL.

The VMD's guidance can be accessed here.