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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th March 2024
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

RSPCA urges public to take part in national litter pick
Foxes are among the animals most frequently involved in litter incidents.
The charity has received thousands of calls about incidents involving litter.

The RSPCA is asking the public to get involved in this year’s Great British Spring Clean to help protect wildlife from dangerous litter.

In the past four years, the charity has received nearly 13,000 calls about animals harmed by litter. Among the animals most commonly affected were foxes, hedgehogs, and deer, while the most frequently harmed birds were swans, pigeons, and gulls.

The problem peaks during the summer, with an average of 13 reports per day between May and August.

Animals helped by the RSPCA include a hedgehog that was tangled in barbed wire and a goose that got its beak caught in a drinks can.

About 40 per cent of litter-related incidents reported to the RSPCA last year involved fishing equipment. Discarded fishing line is a common danger, especially for water birds. It can cut into flesh, affecting circulation and causing wounds that become infected.

The annual Great British Spring Clean is organised by the charity Keep Britain Tidy. This year, the litter-picking campaign will run from Friday 15 March to Sunday 31 March.

More than 400,000 bags of litter were collected by volunteers last year.

Carrie Stones, RSPCA anti-litter campaigns manager, said: “Spring is an ideal time to go on a litter-pick because it falls before the breeding season when young animals such as fox cubs are at risk of getting into trouble, while litter in hedges will be more visible to pickers before the vegetation really starts growing.

“That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean to help remove litter that may endanger animals.

“But it’s also really easy for the public to help at all times of the year. When people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly - or recycle where appropriate.

“As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.”

Image © RSPCA

 

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."