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Naturewatch Foundation grant to open for applications
The Pet Rescue Grant is designed to support animals affected by the illegal pet trade.
Animal rescuers can apply from 24 January.

Naturewatch Foundation has invited animal rescuers from across the UK to apply for a share of its 2025 Pet Rescue Grant.

From Friday, 24 January UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) with an income of up to £5m will be able to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 towards their animal rescue and rehabilitation work.

For the first time, Naturewatch Foundation is also offering a mini-grant of £1,000 to unincorporated charities and voluntary organisations working in their local community.

The Pet Rescue Grant is designed specifically to support dogs, cats and rabbits that are affected by the UK’s illegal pet trade. This includes cases such as illegal puppy farming, unlicensed breeding and the irresponsible sale of pets.

In 2024, the grant’s first year, the Pet Rescue Grant received 72 applications to its fund. Bliss Cavalier Rescue, Axholme Cat Rescue and Rabbit Residence Rescue each received funding to support their animal welfare work.

Many of the proposals were related to veterinary causes, with applications accepted from around the UK for dog, cat and rabbit charities.

Although last year’s fund offered grants of up to £5,000 to charities, the charity says the generosity of it supporters has now allowed it to increase its maximum grant to £10,000.

Naturewatch Foundation says that their funding is particularly important this year, with many UK rescue charities working at full capacity. It says that many organisations are still seeing the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, Covid-19 puppy boom and the XL bully ban.

Natalie Harney, campaign manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said: “The Pet Rescue Grant is about more than just funding; it’s about helping to give exploited animals a second chance.

“Although we’re a small charity ourselves, we’re proud to support the incredible work of rescues across the UK, especially during challenging times when demand for animal welfare services is higher than ever.”

Applications will open from 24 January and will close on 21 February. Rescue organisations can apply on the Naturewatch Foundation 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. 

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."