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Funeral home launches ‘Pet Cards’ scheme
The 'pet card' holds details about who medics can contact if the owner is taken ill.
Cards to give pet owners peace of mind

Pet owners are being urged to carry new ‘pet cards’ to ensure their domestic companions are never left alone.

The wallet-sized cards, produced by Co-op Funeral Care, hold details about who medics can contact if the owner falls ill or gets injured and ensures any pets are looked after.

The concept is the brainchild of Co-op funeral arranger, Bridgette Perks, who became mindful that many of her clients were worried about what would happen to their pets if they didn’t come home.

“When speaking to members of the local community, I came to realise that I wasn’t the only one who’d ever considered who would look after my pet if anything ever happened to me,” she said.

"As such, I thought the ‘Pet Card’ was the perfect solution to put minds at rest and I’m thrilled that they’re being distributed nationwide."

Helen Chandler, head of funeral operations for Co-op Funeralcare, added: ”At Co-op Funeralcare, we always support our colleagues in any way we can so when we heard about Bridgette’s great idea there was no doubt that we wanted to roll it out in our Funeral homes across the UK.

"We’re always keen to find new ways to support the local community and the introduction of ‘Pet Cards’ will hopefully offer piece of mind to those who need it."

The complimentary cards are now available in Co-op Funeral homes across the UK. 

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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.