Current Affairs

Pets’n’Vets Family backs bill to stop irresponsible dog breeding

The Pets’n’Vets Family, the network of veterinary practices with surgeries around Glasgow and surrounding areas, has backed the launch of a member’s bill to the Scottish parliament aimed at calling a halt to puppy farming. Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, has called for tighter regulations to…

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Tech startup ‘staunch’ supporter of Lucy’s Law to go to war with puppy farmers

A new tech startup has been awarded £200,000 from Jenson SEIS and EIS Fund 2017/18 in early stage investment in order to launch a new platform that will combat puppy farming. Tailwise, will match dog buyers with responsibly bred dogs in order to “improve animal welfare in the UK through…

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Pet tracking products found to be vulnerable to hackers

A cyber security firm’s research has found several pet tracking devices to be vulnerable to hackers and other forms of cyber crime. The Kaspersky research found products made by several well-known brands had vulnerabilities in: Bluetooth capabilities that require no authentication for connection Trackers and apps transmitting sensitive data such…

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BVA welcomes first ever protocol for animals in health care

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued a warm welcome to the launch of the first ever nationwide protocol for animals in health care. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) launched the protocol, ‘Working with dogs in health care settings’, on Monday 14 May in a bid to encourage more…

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Amazon launches its own brand of pet products

Online retail giant Amazon has today launched its own brand of pet products, dubbed Wag. Wag will offer Amazon Prime subscribers a range of different pet related items, starting with dog food. The new Amazon brand comes at a time when pet retail is booming, with US shoppers expected to…

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Pet death prompts United Airlines ban on some animal cargo

United Airlines is to ban many breeds of dog and other pets from its cargo hold following the death of a giant rabbit and a French bulldog. From 18 June several dog and cat breeds, along with other small animals, will be unable to fly with the airline and all…

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Animal welfare charities strike back against Gove over electric collars

Animal welfare charities including the RSPCA and The Kennel Club have penned an open letter saying the decision to reverse a planned ban on electric collars is “two steps forward, one step back for animal welfare”. Environment secretary Michael Gove announced yesterday that the government plans to allow the use…

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Michael Gove scraps plan to ban electric collars

Michael Gove has announced that he has scrapped plans for a complete ban on electric collars for pets. The environment secretary still plans to ban the collars when used for training purposes but told MPs he believes when used with containment fences the collars offer pets “freedom”. Gove said: “Containment…

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Sainsbury’s recalls pet food after ‘higher than specified levels of vitamin D’ found

Sainsbury’s has recalled several of its pet food products after “higher than specified levels of vitamin D”, which should not be consumed over long periods of time, were found. The products in question were 12x100g and 48x100g selections of Adult Complete Nutrition in Jelly and Gravy, Senior and Puppy Complete…

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Breeder made £50,000 from puppies obtained through puppy farms

A Welsh dog breeder made £50,000 from selling false designer and pedigree dogs that were bred in puppy farms, has been sentenced to a 30-week jail term, suspended for two years. Cardiff Crown Court heard Lisa Canning, 50, who ran Barry 4 Small Paws, “tampered” with vaccination cards including changing…

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