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Battersea urges compulsory microchipping

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is renewing its calls on the Government to make microchipping compulsory, as the animal charity reveals over two thirds of dogs arriving at its door are not microchipped.

Battersea is making the call at the start of Microchipping Month, which runs throughout June. Each day Battersea receives an average of 11 stray dogs, many of which never see their owners again, but microchipping would dramatically increase their chances of being reunited.
 
A microchip is a tiny chip inserted into the scruff of a dog’s neck by a trained professional in a simple procedure. The chip has a unique code which when scanned with a special reader can be matched to the owner's details on a central database. Rescue centres, animal wardens and vets are all able to scan for this permanent form of identification.
 
Battersea’s Head of Intake & Assessing Liz McWalter says: “Every time a dog arrives at our door without a microchip I am dismayed. It is such a simple, quick, cheap and painless procedure, and one that can make the difference between never seeing your dog again, and being reunited quickly. I would urge everyone to chip their pet straight away.”

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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. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.