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New first aid course for pet owners
The course includes detailed veterinary advice to help owners deal calmly with emergency scenarios.
Busy Bees Education and Training has teamed up with Blue Cross to deliver vital education.

A first aid course for pet owners has been launched by Busy Bees Education and Training to help people learn how to keep their animals healthy and take positive action in an emergency.

The online course, developed in conjunction with Blue Cross veterinary experts, includes interactive games, video interviews and quizzes to help pet owners recount vital information in critical situations.

Its launch follows the publication of the 2021 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, which sparked calls for new pet owners to seek support when it comes to looking after their animals. The report found that almost half of all pet owners who acquired their animals since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were first-time pet owners. 

The course, designed for pet owners old and new, is split into three main sections:
 
  • Preventative health - a comprehensive guide to vaccinations, diet, and grooming. 
  • Hazards in the home, garden and on a walk – puppy Max and his human family explore potential everyday dangers in the household and outside world.
  • What to do in a pet emergency – detailed veterinary advice to help owners deal calmly with a wide range of life-threatening scenarios.
“Being a pet owner is a huge responsibility," commented Kim Lakin-Smith, course content writer from Busy Bees Education and Training. "Unlike humans, if our pet has a medical emergency that needs immediate attention, there’s no emergency services or ambulance to call on. 

"The responsibility to administer first aid in a calm, timely and effective manner lands on us. Preparing ourselves to respond to an emergency or, even better preventing one, is the best way we can help our beloved animal friends to enjoy long, healthy, and happy lives.”

The course takes one hour to complete and costs £17.50. For more information, visit busybeestraining.co.uk

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.