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Guide Dog pups enjoy Easter treat hunt
Puppy peeking through bunny ears
Six-week-old guide dog puppies have enjoyed an Easter treat hunt at the charity Guide Dogs’ National Breeding Centre in Leamington Spa.
New experiences help puppies prepare for their futures

Easter arrived early this week for 10 adorable puppies who went on an Easter treat hunt organised by Guide Dogs.

The six-week-old puppies are from a litter of 10 labradors - Albie, Pippin, Spencer, Ceecee, Maddie, Hermia, Pickle, Pastel, Sasha and Cathie.

Staff hid bits of kibble around a specially-decorated area to encourage the young pups to forage.

“Guide Dogs encourages its puppies to have as many different experiences as possible, so they’ll grow up to be confident guide dogs,” said a Guide Dogs spokesperson.

“While the spring-themed search was great fun, it also helped to prepare the pups for their futures as life-changing guide dogs.”

The hunt took place at the charity’s National Breeding Centre, Leamington Spa, which has the capacity to breed 1,500 puppies a year.

Founded in 1934, Guide Dogs gives people with sight loss a new start in life through guide dogs and other services.

The charity enables people that are blind or partially sighted to take a new path to freedom and independence after losing their sight.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.