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Escaped pet mistaken for a bear
coati
Members of the public reported sightings of a "small bear-like animal" in February.

Coatimundi returned home after two months on the run

A runaway exotic pet has been mistaken for a small bear, causing quite a stir among the residents of a small town in Buckinghamshire.

Sightings of a "small bear-like animal" were reported in and around the Marlow area during early February. It was eventually established that the creature was in fact a coatimundi that had escaped from a nearby home two months previously.

Three gardens in particular appear to have been favoured destinations for the coati. RSPCA officers say they had to use a humane trap (usually used for capturing injured animals) to catch the wily creature.

Animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said: "Thanks to the help of the nearby householders we were able to keep an eye on the trap and as soon as he was in there I was able to go down, collect him and return him to his owners.

"Considering he had been on the run for around two months he was in a very good condition and it was lovely to be able to reunite him with his owners."

Coatis originate in South America and, like many exotic pets, can be challenging to look after.

Image © RSPCA

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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."