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Former RSPCA trustee awarded MBE
"At the end of the day, it's all for the animals" – Barbara Gardner.
Barbara Gardner received the accolade in the King’s New Year Honours.

A former RSPCA trustee and treasurer has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) through the King’s New Year Honours.

Barbara Gardner, who also founded the Animal Interfaith Alliance (AIA), received the accolade in recognition of her services to animal welfare.

Ms Gardner originally worked as a chartered accountant, before her compassion for animals motivated her to take her skills and experience to RSPCA. She joined the charity as a volunteer in Devon, where she served as a trustee and treasurer of the RSPCA Torquay and South East Devon branch for almost 13 years.

From 2008 to 2014, Ms Gardner was a trustee of the national charity. She returned as a trustee from 2018 to 2021, when she also served as treasurer.

Speaking of her time at RSPCA, Ms Gardner said: “My highlight at the RSPCA was working with Chris Sherwood to turn around the finance and governance and of course working with all the people there who are amazing and so dedicated to animals.

“At the end of the day, it's all for the animals.”

In 2014 Ms Gardner founded the AIA, a group which brings together faith-based animal advocacy groups from around the world. It works with 12 member organisations and 20 affiliated organisations to educate, press for animal protection and promote social justice. She is also the author of The Compassionate Animal: An Interfaith Guide to the Extended Circle of Compassion.

Ms Gardner said: "I'm deeply honoured and humbled to have received an MBE for services to animal welfare. The fact that animal welfare is being recognised is amazing, as it's something which I feel has been often overlooked.”

Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, said “This is such a wonderful achievement and thoroughly well deserved. Barbara has dedicated many years to animal welfare at a local, national and international level and her work as RSPCA treasurer was instrumental in helping us reform the RSPCA into a modern and forward-facing organisation.

“We congratulate Barbara on all that she has achieved for animals and the amazing work she continues to do to improve the lives of every kind.”

Image © RSPCA

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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...
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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."