Current Affairs

Mar- 2020 -

25 March

Pet food in ‘good supply’, assures PFMA

The PFMA has assured the public that there is a ‘good supply” of food available for pets across the UK. The association urged pet owners to “shop sensibly”, amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, advising that there is enough pet food for all. It said that the government recognises that pet…

20 March

Covid-19: Government to pay 80% of salary to staff unable to work

Chancellor Sunak Rishi has said the government will pay 80% of wages for employees who aren’t able to work due to the coronavirus, up to £2,500 a month according to the BBC. The “unprecedented measure” comes as the government has unveiled more plans to protect jobs and businesses amid the…

Jan- 2020 -

15 January

Man admits selling sick puppies at illegal ‘pet shop’

A man has admitted to selling a number of sick puppies at an illegal “pet shop” in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. According to the BBC, Marco Tondo kept the dogs in cramped conditions resulting in two of the animals being put down shortly after being sold. One dog had suffered organ…

8 January

PFMA launches two new trade events in London

Pet Food Manufacturing Association (PFMA) has launched two new trade events in London, which are open to member and non-member companies. Across 30-31 January, PFMA is hosting two events focusing on international trade and helping the pet food industry to maximise export opportunities. Day one of the event, ‘Way2Trade Chinese…

7 January

70% of dog owners exercise with their dog, study suggests

70% of dog owners participate in sport with their four-legged friends, a study suggests. The survey by performance dog gear brand, Ruffwear, revealed that hiking was the most popular activity as 78% of the 200 active dog owners surveyed occasionally hiked with their dogs. 43% of the people surveyed said…

Sep- 2019 -

10 September

Gender discrimination holding women back in practices, report finds

Women face discrimination and occupy fewer places in the higher reaches of the veterinary profession, even as they begin to outnumber men in the field, according to research conducted by Lancaster University Management School and the Open University Business School. The study found that sexism continues to be a big…

Jul- 2019 -

5 July

Cannabis oil can ‘improve’ lives of dogs with epilepsy, study finds

New research has suggested CBD oil could reduce potentially deadly epileptic seizures in dogs 33%. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is extracted from cannabis plants and only contains trace amounts of psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Researchers at Colorado State University in the US tested its effect on pooches suffering with…

4 July

First case of Alabama Rot confirmed in East Anglia

A dog has been diagnosed with Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV or Alabama Rot) in Essex. This is the first case confirmed in East Anglia, although the dog had recently been on holiday with her family in Gloucestershire, where previous cases had been confirmed. As is the case in…

Jun- 2019 -

26 June

Gove delivers new bill to give animal abusers tougher sentences

Environment secretary Michael Gove has announced a new bill to enable tougher prison sentences for the worst animal abusers and introduced it to Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 25 June). The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill means that animal abusers could face up to five years in prison, a significant increase from the…

25 June

UK’s first pet payment holding service launches

Pet Buying Protection (PBP) has launched an independent intermediary payment holding service that gives buyers the time and space to check the pet’s health and welfare before money is lost. Roy Wilcox, director at PBP, said the service would help to “provide a barrier against scammers and unscrupulous breeders.” PBP…