DEFRA

BVA renews call for action on puppy smuggling

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has renewed its calls for tighter restrictions on pet travel following the government’s response to the Efra Select Committee report on illegal puppy smuggling. The Efra Committee praised the government’s ‘Petfished’ awareness campaign but raised concerns that some of the regulatory and delivery recommendations had…

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Major sponsors pulled from Crufts amid Coronavirus fears

Two of Crufts’ major sponsors have asked staff not to attend the event amid Coronavirus fears, the BBC reports. Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved both advised their representatives to avoid large events like Crufts “unless it is business critical”. Alongside the two major sponsors, The Association of Pet Dog…

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Cats Protection chief executive appointed new member of AWC

Cats protection CEO James Yeates has been appointed as a new member of The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC). Yeates is one of the four new members of AWC, which is made up of experts in farming, wild animals and pets. It provides detailed research and advice to the Department for…

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Battersea CEO awarded CBE in 2020 New Year’s Honours List

Chief executive officer of Battersea, Claire Horton, has been awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to animal welfare in the 2020 New Year Honours List. She joined Battersea as Chief Executive in March 2010, bringing with her a wealth of operational and strategic leadership experience from the commercial…

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Trade associations call for review of UK animal activities licensing

An investigation into the new Animal Activities Licensing system in England has revealed it has “done little to improve animal welfare” but is tying up businesses in “unnecessary” red tape, according to two trade associations. OATA and REPTA, who issued a Freedom of Information request to more than 300 English…

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New RCVS president stresses importance of role models

New president of the RCVS Nial Connell, has stressed the importance of role models to inspire vets and improve diversity in the industry. He takes on the role after being elected to the council in 2013, and replaces outgoing president Amanda Boag, who has now become senior vice-president of the…

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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…

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Owner of raided 4 Paws banned from acting as company director

Former owner of the 4 Paws boarding kennels, Jodie Annabel Fairbrother, from Immingham, Lincolnshire, has had her bankruptcy restrictions extended for seven years meaning she is unable to act as a company director without permission. Her business traded from Janika Boarding Kennels under the name ‘4 Paws’ and provided animal…

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Pet owners ‘flock’ to vets over post-Brexit travel concerns

Continuing uncertainty around Brexit has led to a spike in the number of anxious pet owners visiting their local vet for pet travel guidance in the last three months, figures from the latest British Veterinary Association (BVA) survey reveal. BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey showed that 85% of…

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PIF reveals plans for 2019

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF), the UK’s trade association for pet businesses, has outlined its plans for the year ahead, as it approaches Crufts and re-structures its Bedford-based team. The trade body said 2019 would be a “hive of new activity” to bring further benefits and opportunities to members. PIF…

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