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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th October 2013
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

Exotic pet market cancelled
Event could now go underground, charity warns

An exotic pet market due to take place this weekend in West Sussex has been cancelled, after an animal welfare group proved that trading of animals at the event would be unlawful.

The reptile and amphibian market was set to take place on Sunday, October 27 at Fontwell Park Racecourse, having been billed as a "private breeders meeting".

However, the Animal Protection Agency (APA) says it provided evidence to Arun District Council that the meeting constituted an animal market, and any trading of animals would therefore be illegal.

Acting on the evidence provided by the APA, and the council's advice on legislation relating to the event, Fontwell Park Racecourse has reportedly advised the council that the decision has been made to cancel the event.

Whilst this has been welcomed by the APA, the charity is concerned that event organisers will now attempt to find a last-minute venue for the event.

In the past, the charity says the organisers of several similar events have found alternative venues and posted the details online after 5pm on a Friday in order to avoid council inspection and enforcement.

The APA says it has warned venue managers against hosting the event and appealed for information from any who have been approached by the organisers.

The charity's director, Elaine Toland, says: "A recent scientific study showed that the conditions and treatment of the vast majority of amphibians and reptiles at markets was, in the view of the authors, ‘tantamount to animal abuse’.

"Action taken by Arun District Council and Fontwell Park Racecourse means that thousands of animals have been potentially spared this ordeal, which is great news! We just hope now that the organisers don’t attempt to stage their event elsewhere."

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

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."