RCVS president makes donation to Links Group
The donation to the Links Group wiill support the charity's Pet Fostering Subgroup.
RCVS president Dr Melissa Donald has made a donation of £4,000 to the Links Group, a charity that aims to raise awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals.
Every year, the RCVS president at the time makes a donation to a charity or charities of their choosing in place of sending Christmas cards to the profession.
This year's donation to the Links Group will support the organisation's Links Pet Fostering Subgroup, which works with other animal charities to develop and promote best practices in pet fostering services for survivors of domestic abuse.
The subgroup also provides networking opportunities for members to share knowledge and experience and to highlight the impact of the services on survivors.
Dr Donald said: “Pet fostering is such an important service because, sadly, worry about their beloved pets can act as a barrier to people leaving an abusive relationship or situation and we know at this time of year there is also an increased demand for the service. If an individual knows that their pet will be well looked after by a foster family while they are seeking refuge and that they can one day be reunited, then it may help them get out of a terrible and dangerous situation.
“The Subgroup, by promoting collaboration, best practice, advice and the sharing of evidence and data between pet fostering providers, will mean that domestic abuse survivors and their pets will continue to be well-served now and into the future.”
Paula Boyden, chair of The Links Group, added: “We were thrilled to receive the RCVS President’s Christmas donation for our ongoing work supporting specialist domestic abuse pet fostering services across the UK. Pets are often treasured members of the family, but this bond can be particularly strong for those suffering in abusive situations, and many victim-survivors will not leave an abusive home without knowing that their beloved animals will be safe too.
“Pet fostering provides this lifeline – a way to know that your pets will be cared for, for as long as is needed, until you are in a position to be able to do so again yourself.”
She added that the charity had seen a stark rise in demand for its services this year and that with the cost-of-living crisis, the situation is only expected to worsen.
Paula continued: “Donations like this enable us to continue to raise awareness of these services and to provide support for the organisations delivering them to ensure a co-ordinated UK-wide approach, in addition to our work training veterinary teams to recognise and act on cases of non-accidental injury and other forms of abuse”.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
