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The secret life of cats
Broadcast of live study reveals insight

Ever thought about what your cat might be getting up to when it leaves home for the day?

Well, wonder no more. A brand new "live study" is to hit our screens, allowing us to find out their every movement beyond the cat-flap.

At 9pm on Thursday 13 June, BBC2 will air The Secret Life of Cats as part of its scientific Horizon series.

During the programme, academics from the University of Lincoln will share their study, which features 50 cats from a village in Surrey being put under 24-hour surveillance.

The cats, which were fitted with GPS collars and cat-cams, were recorded as they hunted, patrolled and frolicked in the outdoors.

Dr Sarah Ellis, one of the study's leaders from Lincoln's School of Life Sciences, said: "We collected a huge amount of data simultaneously over the course of a week, which is potentially the greatest data-set of this sort collected from pet cats."

The programme will also look at vocalisations and relationships with owners. A follow-up to the main broadcast can be seen at 10pm on Friday 14 June.

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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."