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RSPCA launches new award for elected officials
The awards also include categories for local authorities' work providing stray dogs services, kenneling, and contingency planning.
Local authorities urged to apply for animal welfare awards.

The RSPCA has launched a new award as part of its PawPrints Awards, which recognise public sector organisations that surpass legal minimum standards in animal welfare and set benchmarks of excellence.

The new award, the Massingham Advocacy Award, will celebrate elected representatives whose advocacy for animals has been outstanding. The category is open to a wide range of elected officials, including MPs, local councillors, mayors, and police and crime commissioners.

Launched to celebrate the RSPCA’s 200th anniversary and 100 years since the founding of its public affairs team, the award is named after Gertrude Speedwell Massingham, who served as the charity’s first public affairs member of staff.

In addition, the charity also hopes to mark its 200th anniversary by celebrating the work of 200 local public sector bodies in England and Wales as part of this year’s awards. The RSPCA is urging public sector bodies to put in applications.

Other categories in the awards include the delivery of stray dog services, licensing, kennelling, housing services, and contingency planning. Local authorities can receive a gold, silver, and bronze award for each category. There are also special awards given out to celebrate exceptional contributions to animal welfare and innovations in addressing welfare issues.

Lee Gingell, the RSPCA’s local government manager, said: “The public sector plays such an important role in improving animal welfare standards – and we’re proud that the PawPrints scheme has inspired the improvement of standards and positively changed the lives of countless pets, livestock, wildlife and other animals.

“With many new councils and councillors taking up their positions in recent weeks, there's never been a better time for public bodies to show they are for every kind and join us in creating a kinder world for every animal.”

Information about how to apply can be found on the RSPCA’s website.

Image © Shutterstock

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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. 

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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."