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Cat ownership up by half a million - PFMA
cat
PFMA's report suggests the rise in pet cats is being driven by increasing numbers of male owners.

UK’s pet cats now number eight million, report suggests

Pet cats in the UK now number around eight million, an increase of half a million cats, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA).

New figures from PFMA’s latest Pet Data Report suggest the rise is being driven by the increasing number of male cat owners, which climbed by 25 per cent (around one million men).

The statistics have been published following interviews with more than 8,000 UK households.

A total of 12 million households are now estimated to have a pet, equating to 44 per cent of households in the UK, and 54 million pets.

Cat-owning households now account for 17 per cent of households with pets. PFMA says more young people own cats, with those aged 16-34 up three per cent, and those aged 35-44 up two per cent.

The research also showed 38 per cent of families with children were considering a small mammal as a pet.

PFMA’s statistics show the breakdown of pet ownership:

  • 15-20 million fish kept in tanks
  • 15-20 million fish kept in ponds
  • 8.5 million dogs
  • 8 million cats
  • 900,000 rabbits
  • 700,000 pet birds
  • 700,000 reptiles
  • 600,000 domestic fowl
  • 500,000 guinea pigs
  • 300,000 hamsters

The full report can be found here: http://www.pfma.org.uk/annual-reports

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.