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Fox rescue prompts litter warning from Scottish SPCA
The fox sustained serious injuries from the bottle. 

The animal became trapped by a plastic bottle.

Wildlife experts are urging people to dispose of litter responsibly after rescuing a male fox cub who got his head trapped in a plastic bottle.

On 27 June, animal rescuers from the Scottish SPCA attended the incident in Glasgow following a call from a concerned member of the public. A rescue officer had visited the day before but was unable to catch him.

The team carried out an extended search and made several attempts to catch the cub. Rescuers feared they had lost him, but the fox eventually emerged from the undergrowth with the bottle still trapped around its neck.

He spent a night at the University of Glasgow’s small animal hospital where he was given pain relief and treated for serious injuries. He was then transferred to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross where he continues to remain under close observation.

The Animal Rescue Officer said: “This fox was incredibly fortunate. Had we not managed to catch him, the injuries caused by the bottle could have become life-threatening.  

“Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Every year, we see wild animals injured, trapped or killed by discarded litter. Something as simple as taking your rubbish home or disposing of it properly can prevent animals suffering in this way.” 

Last month, the Scottish SPCA warned that litter continues to have devastating consequences for Scotland’s wildlife.

Between 2023 and 2025, the charity responded to almost 109,000 wildlife incidents, many involving animals injured or put at risk by human activity.  

Image (C) Scottish SPCA. 

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New RCVS Academy courses to remove barriers in vet care

News Story 1
 The RCVS Academy has launched two courses to its new client support series, as it seeks to improve accessibility in veterinary settings.

The courses will help professionals to support assistance dog partnerships and clients with hearing loss.

The Hearing loss and Assistance dogs courses saw RCVS project lead Catherine Hemingway collaborate with the British Deaf Association and Assistance Dogs UK. Vets will gain practical guidance on supporting clients with additional needs.

Each course takes an hour to complete, and can be accessed by RCVS registrants for free. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
APHA launches free virtual work experience programme

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), in collaboration with Springpod, has launched a free virtual work experience programme, giving young people across the UK the chance to explore careers dedicated to protecting animal and plant health.

The on-demand programme offers a unique insight into career opportunities within APHA, showcasing how students can contribute to tackling some of the UK's most critical biosecurity and environmental challenges.

Designed for students aged 13 and over, the course includes more than 10 hours of engaging content featuring real-life industry insights, scenario-based challenges, and practical guidance on applying for jobs. To register for the course, visit the APHA website.