Current Affairs

Feb- 2018 -

12 February

Retail footfall takes a hit with Scotland showing sharpest decline

Footfall in January decreased by 1.6% year-on-year, showing a deeper decrease than the rate seen for January 2017, according to new figures. New British Retail Consortium (BRC) data showed a drop in footfall across all UK regions, with the sharpest decline being seen in Scotland (4.6 %). Despite footfall falling…

10 February

‘Stop promoting Pugs this Valentine’s Day’, claim vets

Pugs and other flat-faced dogs and cats are covering cards and gifts this Valentine’s Day, but with their ‘cute’ looks masking a multitude of health and welfare problems the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has written to the greeting card industry asking for their help to curb the worrying demand for…

8 February

Charity welcomes new crackdown on puppy trade

Animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has today welcomed the Government’s new proposals to crack down on cruel and irresponsible pet breeding practices. Battersea has long campaigned for an end to the suffering it sees – exhausted breeding bitches and their sick and under-socialised puppies sadly come through…

8 February

Government announces new legislation for pet sales

The government has announced a call for evidence on whether there should be a ban on third party puppy sales. The announcement was made by Defra minister, Lord Gardiner, at London-based animal welfare charity, Mayhew, today. Mayhew CEO, Caroline Yates, welcomed the step forward towards the goal of banning damaging…

7 February

Pet company using logo illegitimately, claims the BVDA

A pet dental products company has been illegitimately using the logo of the British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA), claims the association. The established group of veterinary surgeons has released a statement about a business named Pet Dentist Products of 151 Cassiobury Drive, Watford, that is alleged to be selling a…

5 February

Charity launches declaration to protect cats

International Cat Care (iCatCare) has developed the ‘International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats’, to help with welfare issues. For pet cats, welfare issues arise when people do not understand or fulfil their needs, or when veterinary care is not as good as it could be. Human desire to create certain…

5 February

Government urged to exempt vets from immigration targets

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) have submitted a joint paper to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on the future of non-UK citizens studying at UK vet schools. The MAC is an independent body that provides the Government with…

5 February

‘Don’t flush Terrapins’, Sea Life warns

Brits urged to think twice before buying terrapins as Sea Life centres are flooded with requests to re-home unwanted Christmas gifts. With aquariums at capacity, owners are taking extreme and unthinkable measures to dispose of their reptiles with terrapins believed to be flushed down UK toilets every year, say bosses…

5 February

£227m spent on taking pets on holiday

Over a quarter (27 percent) of UK dog owners spend on average £114 per pet to take them on holiday. New research from American Express reveals that across the UK the total of £227,538,186* is going to be spent on dog vacations during 2018. Over half (53 percent) of owners…

5 February

Queen’s swans ‘killed by bird flu’

An investigation has been launched into the outbreak of Avian Flu after a number of swans, thought to belong to the Queen, died in Windsor. More than 20 swans have been confirmed dead with several more said to be ‘dying’. Seven of the dead birds are being tested to determine…