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Labrador blessed by Pope Francis
Image: Asià - Rossella Lorenzi
Dog among the first to be blessed by new pope

Pope Francis departed from tradition on Saturday when he blessed a yellow Labrador Retriever named Asià.

Radio journalist Alessandro Forlani, and his guide dog Asià, waited to enter the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall on Saturday, as journalists from all over the world gathered to report on the election of Pope Francis.

"As I waited in line to enter the hall, the security guards told me that most likely I wouldn't be allowed to get in with the dog," said Forlani, who works for Italian RAI radio.

However, after a few minutes, Forlani and Asià were given the green light by Vatican officials, and escorted to the audience hall by a Swiss guard.

Following the pope's speech to those gathered in the hall, Vatican officials informed Forlani that Pope Francis had asked to meet him and Asià.

Asià reportedly sat quietly onstage as her owner spoke to the pope. After blessing Forlani's wife and daughter, Pope Francis bent down to caress the dog, saying: "and a special blessing for your dog too."

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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."