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Airgun petition delivered to parliament
Around 164 cats in the UK were shot with an airgun in 2017.
Cats Protection appeal garnered 100,000 signatures

Cats Protection has delivered a petition to Number 10 Downing Street calling for a change to airgun laws.

The petition, which had 100,000 signatures, was delivered to Prime Minister Theresa May On Wednesday, 9 May. Together with more than 50,000 supporters, the charity has also written to the Home Office calling for airgun licensing as part of government review.

Cats Protection’s head of advocacy Jacqui Cuff said current laws in England and Wales did not go far enough to stop airguns falling into the wrong hands.

“We know that 90 per cent of reported airgun attacks on cats happen in England and Wales, and it’s no coincidence that these are the parts of the country where licencing of airguns isnot in place,” she explained. “Laws on airguns in Scotland and Northern Ireland are much tighter, and we believe this should apply for the whole of the UK.”

According to media reports, around 164 cats in the UK were shot with an airgun in 2017. Many of these cats suffered horrific and often fatal injuries as a result of such attacks.
 
Ms Cuff added: “In the wrong hands, airguns are deadly weapons, and updating the laws relating to them is well overdue in England and Wales. Our petition of 100,000 people shows that a huge number of people agree that action must be taken urgently.” 

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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.