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Cat fosterers needed to help domestic abuse survivors
"Fostering for Paws Protect is a rewarding experience, offering a survivor of abuse the freedom to flee with the knowledge their beloved cats are safe" – Natalie Ratcliffe.
Call comes as Paws Protect scheme expands into East Anglia.

A cat fostering service is appealing for volunteers to help domestic abuse survivors by fostering cats in their own homes.

Paws Protect, run by Cats Protection, provides temporary fostering for cats of domestic abuse survivors. The initiative is expanding into East Anglia, following a 53 per cent increase in the number of referrals from people in the region needing support.

Many refuges are unable to accept pets and this can create a barrier for some people trying to escape domestic abuse.

Once the survivor has found suitable accommodation, their cat is returned to them. A cat will typically stay with a fosterer for five months.

The service has been operating in London and the South East since 2017 and was recently launched in Yorkshire. Paws Protect works in partnership with Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project, which provides temporary care for dogs.

Natalie Ratcliffe, Paws Protect manager for East Anglia, said: “We are urgently appealing for volunteers to foster cats in their own homes. Expenses such as vet bills and food costs are covered by Cats Protection, so this is an opportunity to enjoy the company of a cat and help someone in need.

“Fostering for Paws Protect is a rewarding experience, offering a survivor of abuse the freedom to flee with the knowledge their beloved cats are safe. Ninety-six per cent of our current volunteers said that fostering a cat through Paws Protect has had a positive impact on their wellbeing and mental health, which is a bonus to the valued help they are providing.”

Details about how to volunteer can be found online.

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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."