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Petplan pledges free pet insurance for Ukrainian refugees
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets" Kieran O'Keeffe, Petplan.
Pets will be able to receive treatment for their first year in the UK.

Insurance provider Petplan has announced that it will be offering free pet insurance to all Ukrainian families bringing their pets to the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Announcing the move at the recent Petplan Veterinary Awards, the insurer revealed that pets will be able to receive treatment under its Classic Covered for Life policy. Under this policy, owners will be able to claim up to £4,000 should their pet fall ill or become injured during the first year of living in the UK.

It comes after Petplan's charity arm - the Petplan Charitable Trust - donated £25,000 to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund to help animal welfare charities on the Ukrainian front line.

Kieran O'Keeffe, managing director at Petplan, said: “We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets. At Petplan, we know that pets are part of the family and that many Ukrainians are taking their pets with them as they flee to safety. 

“We recognise the important role pets will continue to play in the lives of these Ukrainian families. We hope that by providing them with free Petplan insurance we can at least reduce their concerns over veterinary costs and ensure that their pets have access to the care they need.” 

To find out more about the support, Ukrainian families or their English-speaking hosts may contact Petplan on 0330 057 3662. 

Should a pet be presented to a UK veterinary practice by a Ukrainian refugee without pet insurance, the practice team should call Petplan’s Vetline on 0330 102 1606 - and financial support will be provided retrospectively.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.