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Rescue centre ‘sorts’ dogs into Hogwarts houses
Each dog gets a banner and scarf in his kennel to display his ‘Pawgwarts’ house.

Adopters encouraged to consider personality over breed 

A rescue centre in Florida has taken inspiration from the Harry Potter series and is now ‘sorting’ its dogs into Hogwarts houses. The initiative aims to help adopters choose a pet based on personality traits, not looks or breed.

Just like in JK Rowling’s school for witches and wizards, dogs at the Pet Alliance shelter are sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, depending on their personality traits.

Dogs who are quick to figure out a puzzle are placed into Ravenclaw, recognising their knowledge; whilst cheerful, affectionate canines are sorted into Hufflepuff. Meanwhile, those who embrace new things with courage are Gryffindors, and those with the ambition to climb the agility A-frame are placed in Slytherin.

Each dog gets a banner and scarf in his kennel to display his ‘Pawgwarts’ house.

“We want to start a national conversation about dog personality rather than dog breed,” Stephen Bardy, Pet Alliance’s executive director told The Dodo. “That is our ultimate goal and we think this is a fun and universal way for people to start talking. “

As the Sorting Hat can only be found within the walls of Hogwarts, Pet Alliance had to improvise with a team of wizards and a few muggles, who created a series of activities to sort dogs into their houses. The shelter has even put together a quiz so that all dog owners can find out which house their dog belongs in.

Pet Alliance says it has joined many progressive shelters in removing breed labels. The shelter says it has seen an increase in adoptions since introducing the ‘Pawgwarts’ scheme.

Image © Pet Aliiance/Facebook

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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...
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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."