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.
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

Scottish SPCA pledges time to Summer Clean campaign
The Paws on Plastic campaign aims to get dog walkers involved in litter clean-up.

The charity has pledged 500 miles to the Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative. 

Staff at the Scottish SPCA have pledged 500 miles to Keep Scotland Beautiful's Summer Clean campaign.

The campaign, which is running from 28 May until 20 June, requests that people pledge time to pick up litter. Staff at the animal charity will be taking part in the Paws on Plastic initiative, which encourages people to pick up a minimum of two pieces of litter per dog walk. 

Scottish SPCA received 273 calls to its helpline specifically about animals affected by litter between January and May 2021. At almost two incidents per day, the charity is very aware of the devastating effects of litter on animals.

Chief superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, Mike Flynn, said: “We see first-hand the devastating consequences litter can have on animals. Seals and birds get caught up in fishing line or wire or animals can ingest small pieces of rubbish and choke or die.”

“We are proud to be making a difference by taking part in Paws on Plastic for the Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Summer Clean.”

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish SCPA has pledged 500 miles to keep Scotland beautiful this month. We’ve warned of a looming litter emergency and our surveys show an increase in the number of sites surveyed being severely littered – but the Scottish SCPA has seen first-hand the horrific impact litter can have on animals.”

“With the support of thousands of people across Scotland who are pledging to get outside and do some litter picking as part of our Clean Up Scotland Summer Clean this month, we know that together we can make a difference. Not only will removing litter from our country help protect our wildlife and domestic animals from potential injury, it will also help our own health and wellbeing and that of our economy.”

More information on Keep Scotland Beautiful's Summer Clean campaign can be found at keepscotlandbeautiful.org

 

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."