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Blue Cross marks 125 years of animal welfare work
Pictured: a postcard from the Blue Cross historic archive 'Vet and Nurse bandaging dog'.

A new survey on people and pets' connection marks the occasion. 

Marking 125 years of charity work, national pet charity Blue Cross has released the results of a new survey, demonstrating the deep-rooted and important connection between people and pets.

Of the respondents, 40 per cent said that their early pets were their fondest childhood memory, over 60 per cent said that the pandemic made them realise the importance of owning a pet, and 42 per cent agreed that owning a pet is vital to combatting loneliness. 

With the increase in pet ownership across the UK, the work that Blue Cross does to support pets and people through rehoming, veterinary, animal behaviour and pet bereavement services is just as necessary as the charity's early work supporting the working horses of London. 

Kerry Taylor, Education Manager at Blue Cross, commented on the importance of the charity's work after 125 years: “We are very proud of our heritage and the work the charity does in 2022. 

“We are needed today more than ever, with people seeking help after an impulse purchase of a pet online from unscrupulous sellers. Something which sadly we know increased during the pandemic, with pet theft and scams online escalating and costs for puppies rocketing into the thousands.

“We strongly advise anyone thinking of getting a pet to look at a rescue who has been fully assessed and checked by a vet before adoption. If buying a puppy, then we strongly recommend thorough research before hitting the ‘buy now’ button online.”

Since the charity's formation in 1897, the Blue Cross estimates that 38 million lives have been impacted by its work, with plans to support over 120,000 pets over the next three years.

 

Image (C) Blue Cross

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

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News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.