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Dog walkers urged to 'Respect the Lead’
Zoe's Respect the Lead campaign aims to educate owners on how to let their dog interact with others in a happy and safe way.
New campaign encourages good lead etiquette

A mobile veterinary nurse from West Sussex has launched a campaign to help raise awareness that dogs are often kept on a lead 'for good reason'.

Zoe Blake from Horsham hopes that her Respect the Lead campaign will help educate owners on how to let their dog interact with others in a happy and safe way.

Ms Blake provides pet care services in and around Horsham through her business, The Friendly Pet Nurse. Writing on her website, she said that many dog owners do not understand the importance of good lead etiquette and controlling their dog around others:

‘Owning a dog can be such a rewarding lifestyle keeping us fit healthy and enjoying the beautiful countryside. However, for many walking their dog can actually be the opposite, it can bring nervousness and stress which may lead to that dog and owner missing out.

‘In my work with animals over the years, I regularly see dog owners not understanding the importance of controlling their dog whilst around others. Whilst you may have a dog which is happy to interact with others, it is important to remember that this is not the case for everyone.’

To help spread the word about the importance of good lead etiquette, Ms Blake has put together a selection of posters and a campaign video, which can be found on her dedicated resources page. She will also be posting regular updates about the campaign to Facebook.

‘Taking your dog for a walk should be an enjoyable experience for both owner and dog alike,’ said Zoe. ‘By remembering to Respect The Lead we can ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.’

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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."