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Pennard Vets appoints first group clinical director
Serina Filler will lead clinical teams and develop new protocols across the group.
The independent vet group has welcomed Serina Filler to its team.

Pennard Vets, an independent veterinary group in Kent, has appointed Serina Filler as its first group clinical director.

The veterinary surgeon, industry speaker and published author will take on a leadership role at the group.

Dr Filler began her veterinary training in Austria, before completing her final year at Washington State University, USA. During her studies in Austria, Dr Filler ran a cat rescue network and, after qualifying, she worked in private clinics and a teaching hospital in Germany.

She studied for her postgraduate certificate in the UK, spending three years studying under professor Severine Tasker for her PhD in feline hemoplasmas.

Dr Filler went on to work at the London Cat Clinic, where she gained a clinical qualification in feline medicine and supported its transition to a 24-hour hospital. After a stint in a non-practice role, she returned to practice as a clinical lead at a subscription-based start-up.

In her role at Pennard Vets, Dr Filler will be mentoring and leading the clinical teams, as well as developing new protocols across the group. Her role will also involve strategic business planning and workflow improvements.

Dr Filler said: “From everything I know about Pennard Vets, it’s a place where people do the right thing, there is a genuine commitment to its teams, clients and pets to deliver excellence in veterinary care, and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”

Founded in 1890, Pennard Vets is an independent veterinary group consisting of eight practices across Kent.

In 2021, it became the largest practice in the world to transfer into employee ownership within an employee ownership trust (EOT). It also became B-Corp certified in 2022 – meaning it has displayed high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.

Matthew Flann, from Pennard Vets, said: “Having become an employee ownership trust, B-Corp certified and expanding to eight practices, as well as opening our brand-new state of the art practice in Sevenoaks, all in recent years, we felt now was the right time to create a new role of group clinical director.

“Serina’s qualifications, experience and personality made her the ideal fit for this position, and we can’t wait to see how the changes she implements benefit everyone associated with Pennard Vets.”

Image © Pennard Vets

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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.