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Most bizarre pet names revealed
Image: Señor Snuggles - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Battersea reveals top 20 bizarre pet names

Animal Charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has surveyed it's 225,000 Facebook and Twitter fans to find the most weird and wonderful pet names.

It seems we can be quite creative when it comes to naming our four-legged friends, with the top 10 wacky dog names including 'Chicken-Fish', 'Yum Yum' and 'Mr Bongi Muggles.' The top 10 responses from cat lovers were no less colourful, with 'Pickwickywoowoo', 'Mister Fuzzy Mittens' and 'Strawberry Surprise'.

Rob Young, Operations Manager at Battersea says: "Unlike humans, animals don't really know what they are called so you can be a bit bonkers when it comes to naming your four-legged friends - just remember you may need to shout it out in the garden or at the park!"

The charity, which take in around 9,000 dogs and cats a year, also get creative when it comes to naming their residents, with Señor Snuggles the Anatolian Shepherd and Cuddle Bear the cat. Mr Young adds: "Around half the dogs and cats we take in are strays so we constantly have to come up with names to give our new arrivals.

"We have to be quite imaginative and names like Señor Snuggles and Cuddle Bear really help animals stand out from the crowd. We love the wacky names in our top 20 - they are truly original. You never know, they may inspire us when it comes to naming some of Battersea's furry residents."

For more about the residents at Battersea, click here.

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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.