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Nominations open for SPVS Business Excellence Awards 2025
Last year's overall winner, and the best Veterinary start-up, was The Manchester Cat Clinic.

The awards recognise vet practices across three categories.

The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has opened nominations for this year’s Veterinary Business Excellence Awards.

Veterinary practices are invited to nominate themselves in one of three categories: Leadership & Management Skills, Team & Self Development, and Veterinary start ups.

The ‘Leadership & Management Skills’ category celebrates practices with visionary leadership, strategic planning, and resource management. Practices must be able to demonstrate how leadership skills have led to innovative development.

The ‘Team & Self Development’ category will recognise a practice with a strong and supportive culture. The winning practice will showcase excellent morale, collaborative team-working and effective communication.

Finally, for practices which started in the last 2.5 years, there is the ‘Veterinary start ups’ category. 

There are three key criteria for a winning start up: understanding of business finance, positive workplace culture and a demonstrably high level of care.

Practices can nominate themselves via an online form, but can only submit an application in one category. Their nomination should explain why they meet the winning criteria for their category, and should share how SPVS has supported their practice to grow.

Nominations will close at 5pm on 17th October 2025.

The SPVS Board will review submissions and select the top five nominated veterinary practices in each category. Each of these practices will be awarded a book of their choice from 5M Books.

The five nominated practices in each category will then be asked to submit a 90 second video that showcases their accomplishments. A panel of veterinary influencers, as well as the SPVS president and junior vice president, will evaluate the final submissions and vote for a winner in each category.

The category winners will be announced at the end of December 2025, with the overall winner revealed at the SPVS Congress opening ceremony in February 2026.

Last year’s overall winner was The Manchester Cat Clinic, which was also the winner of the ‘Veterinary start ups’ category.

Daniel Lee, director and veterinary surgeon of Manchester Cat Clinic, said: “We entered SPVS Business Excellence Awards to celebrate our team’s hard work and our unique approach to feline care.

“The process gave us fresh insights into our business, encouraged reflection on our growth and connected us with like-minded practices striving for excellence.”

Nominations can be submitted on the SPVS website.

Image used with permission from SPVS.

Copyright (C) J Duckworth

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Vets launch new podcast for pet owners

News Story 1
 Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.

The venture, called Vets Talking Pets, provides advice and information on a range of topics, including how to select a suitable pet, where to obtain them and how to get the best out of your vet. Maggie and Vanessa will also discuss sensitive subjects, including end-of-life care, raw food diets and the cost of veterinary care.

The podcast can be found on all the usual podcast sites, including Podbean, Apple, Amazon Music and YouTube. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS Regional Question Time heads to Edinburgh

The RCVS is to bring its Regional Question Time (RQT) to Edinburgh for 2026.

The event will take place at Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

It will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with an evening programme from 7.30pm. This will start with an update on RCVS' activities, followed by questions and answers with representatives.

RCVS is encouraging an 'open dialogue', in which queries can be raised in a friendly, informal environment.

While discussions are expected to be audience-led, the RQT is expected address major issues including the VSA, the CMA's remedy package and the VN Vision project.

Tim Parkin, RCVS president, said: "It's an important time for the professions, and I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in Scotland as we navigate this period of change together so we can come out stronger."

Tickets can be booked here.