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: 14th May 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

Big dogs harder to rehome than smaller breeds, says RSPCA
Nina, a five-year-old mastiff, is one of the large dogs the charity is struggling to rehome.
It can take almost twice as long to find larger breeds a home.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has highlighted statistics revealing the difficulty with rehoming large dog breeds.

Figures shared by the animal welfare charity showed that large-sized dogs can take an average of 60 days to rehome after they arrive at the shelter. This compares with 39 days for medium-sized dogs, and 33 days for small dogs.

The most challenging breed for the RSPCA proved to be the Alaskan malamute, with this large breed averaging 257 days in the shelter. This was followed by the Saluki, averaging 115 days, and the medium-sized breed Tibetan terrier, averaging 107 days.

Due to the difficulty with rehoming large breeds, some of the RSPCA’s long-stay residents are big dogs.

One such dog is Big Moose, a five-year-old mastiff weighing more than 60kg. Big Moose was brought into the RSPCA shelter Stubbington Ark, in Hampshire, in July 2022 and has now been waiting for a home for 21 months.

Volunteers at the shelter describe him as a ‘gentle giant’ with a ‘sweet nature’.

However, Big Moose’s sensitive nature means he does require extra care. His nervous behaviour and love of chasing means that he needs owners who can handle his temperament, and control him on a lead in public.

Although the RSPCA encourages pet owners to consider all breed sizes when adopting a pet, it also urges potential owners to think carefully before adopting a large-size dog.

Esme Wheeler, an RSPCA dog welfare expert and clinical animal behaviourist, said: “At the RSPCA we love all creatures, great and small. And as a nation of dog lovers, we all adore our dog pals whether they’re as big as a horse or as small as a guinea pig!

“But there can be some differences between taking care of gentle giants and cheeky miniatures when it comes to their day-to-day needs - so it’s important to take time as a family to consider what type and size of dog might suit your lifestyle, and what costs will be associated with their care.”

Image © RSPCA/Vision Media

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."