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Regional trends in pet ownership
Research finds Britain's dog and cat-loving populations

Petlog, the UK's largest lost and found database for microchipped pets, has released findings about regional trends in animal ownership.

Most notably, the database found that those from the north are bigger dog lovers and those from the south are bigger cat lovers.

The research was conducted as part of National Microchipping Month, which is run by Petlog every June, and has done so for 10 years.

It found that 65 per cent of pet owners in the north-east had a dog, compared with the national average 53 per cent, and 60 per cent of pet owners in the south-east had a cat, compared with the national average 54 per cent.

Owners living in the north-west, however, were most likely to be reunited with their pet if separated, as the region had the highest percentage of microchipped pets at 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, only about half of pets in the north-east were microchipped.

Petlog Executive Celia Walsom said: "The survey identified areas of the country that are most knowledgeable about microchipping and where there is a lack of awareness and knowledge, and now we need to see how we can improve this."

National Microchipping Month is aimed at raising the profile of microchipping and its benefits by educating pet owners about how it works, the need to keep contact details up to date, as well as how to make the most of the database.

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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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.