This October and November, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to its trio of enchanting autumn events at the Edinburgh store, helping kick-start the season. There’s something for everyone, with events for dogs, kids and families, and a brand-new autumn planting and afternoon tea experience.
Pup-kin Patch
The Pup-kin Patch at Dobbies will be a fun outing for dogs where they can dig into treats, toys, and tail wagging fun. With activities from picking their own autumn themed toys, to enjoying a puppuccino from the restaurant, furry friends are bound to have a paw-esome outing. The event will also have a free digital photo opportunity for dogs to pose in front of an autumnal backdrop at the Edinburgh store, for a beautiful pet ‘paw-trait’.
Tickets to the event will also include special offers in the pet department, one free hot drink and puppuccino with the purchase of any cake from the restaurant, and £5 off £25 spend in store. Dobbies’ Pup-kin Patch will be taking place on Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £12.50 per dog. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.
Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats
This Halloween, children and families can get ready to take part in some scarily fun activities and afternoon tea at the Edinburgh store Little Scare-lings event. There will be three tiers of savoury sandwiches and sweet treats for the children and spook-tacular tea and cake offers or afternoon tea add ons for adults.
Little ones will get to take part in slime and magic potion making to embrace their inner witches and wizards, alongside other magical activities and games. Dobbies is encouraging attendees to dress up in their spookiest costume as a prize will be awarded during a costume contest.
The Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats is taking place on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £15 per children and from £7.50 for adults. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.
Planting and Afternoon Tea – Autumn Harvest Terrarium Workshop
Guests can enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea and autumn themed planting experience this October at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. Dobbies’ Green Team will show attendees how to make their own seasonal terrariums with mini autumn decorations to take home and care for, starting with a demonstration, followed by a Q&A session and the chance to get hands-on and give it a go.
The experience will be followed by a three-tiered Traditional Afternoon Tea in the restaurant, including sweet and savoury treats, and unlimited tea and coffee refills.
The Planting and Afternoon Tea – Autumn Harvest Terrarium Workshop will take place on the 11, 17, and 18 of October. Tickets are £45, and prosecco or a Luxury Afternoon Tea is available as an optional upgrade at an additional cost. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming customers, from families, dogs and planting enthusiasts, to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this autumn. She said: “It’s fantastic to have such a variety of events on offer and there really is something for everyone to enjoy, with fun for all ages.
“Tickets are selling fast for our planting and afternoon tea event, as it’s the perfect afternoon out for couples and friends who love to be creative. Our Little Scare-lings event is a firm favourite for families, with plenty of action-packed activities, and the Pup-kin Patch is back by popular demand, this year in more stores after it was such a hit last year. We can’t wait to celebrate autumn and Halloween with our customers this spooky season.”
Tickets to all autumn events at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store are now available to book at www.dobbies.com/events.
Pet owners urged to be wary of dangerous fake treatments discovered on e-commerce sites
Main developments are:
urgent government warning issued after toxic insecticide discovered in counterfeit flea treatments – one cat required emergency surgery after severe poisoning
fake pet medicines lack essential ingredients while containing dangerous chemicals that trigger vomiting, seizures and potential death
warning signs include poor packaging, spelling mistakes, unusual smells and suspiciously low prices
new figures show three quarters of consumers wrongly believe fake goods are of similar quality to genuine products
pet owners should only buy from trusted sources and immediately report suspicious products
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) are urging pet owners to take caution when purchasing common medicines, including common flea treatments and wormers.
The alert comes after toxic pesticide traces were found in a fake flea treatment that caused a pet cat to become seriously ill, prompting the owner to have the product tested. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats.
Officials are urging pet owners to recognise signs of counterfeit products, avoid using suspicious items, and know how to report concerns.
Counterfeit animal medicines deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products to deceive pet owners. Like all counterfeits, they are illegal to sell in the UK.
These fakes typically lack proper active ingredients, making them ineffective. Worse still, they may also contain harmful substances, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death.
Pet owners seeking bargains, or a quick purchase online may unknowingly purchase these dangerous counterfeits.
The VMD and IPO are urging owners to check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information, and unusual smells.
Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers.
After purchasing what appeared to be genuine FRONTLINE ® flea treatment online for his cat, Smokey, Alan Wall from Preston was devastated when Smokey became very unwell.
The condition was so severe that Smokey required emergency intestinal surgery to survive. This was followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary surgery and significant bills to support his recovery.
Alan Wall said:Smokey is more than just a pet, he’s a member of our family. When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified.
“Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. It’s taken a huge emotional toll on all of us. Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn’t be with us today.
“We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we’ve been through.”
Images of Smokey the cat – receiving treatment, and when healthier
A Veterinary Medicines Directorate Veterinary Surgeon and Efficacy Assessor, Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, explains:“Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat’s body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat’s nervous system.
“This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures.
“In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately.”
Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be FRONTLINE® flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product wasn’t genuine.
Sue explained that the product was difficult to open and had a distinct smell of white spirit and paraffin, whereas the genuine flea treatment has no smell. When she reported this to Trading Standards, experts confirmed that the treatment was a counterfeit.
While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake FRONTLINE Flea and Tick Treatment and PRO PLAN FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats.
New counterfeit goods research (Wave 4) shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The figures also show that in 2024, nearly-one-in-five (17%) consumers unknowingly purchased goods later found to be fake, with 60% of purchasers also saying that ‘ease of purchasing’ influenced their decision.
Saving money is a strong motivator for buying fakes, with around three quarters (72%) of purchasers saying price was an important factor in their decision. Worryingly, around three-quarters (72%) wrongly believed the products would be of a similar quality to the genuine item.
The IPO’s Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal’s wellbeing.
“This can have some distressing consequences, as they may contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to our pets. We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that ‘look too good to be true’.
“Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.”
Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer said: “We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns.
“We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this government advice.”
Nina Downing, Vet Nurse from PDSA, a vet charity and a leading authority on pet health in the UK, said: “Counterfeit veterinary medicines can pose a serious threat to our pets ‘ health and wellbeing.
“While legitimate medications play a vital role in keeping our pets healthy, counterfeit products can cause severe harm or even be fatal. These fake medicines may contain incorrect ingredients or dangerous substances that can make pets extremely ill – leading to symptoms like twitching, swelling, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse, coma and even death.
“We always recommend that you only give your pet medication which has been prescribed by your vet. When fulfilling a prescription online, source them from reputable companies that are on the Register of online retailers, brought to you by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. If you suspect your pet is reacting badly to any medication, contact your vet immediately.”
When examining the counterfeit FRONTLINE® flea treatment, experts from the University of Bath also identified telling packaging flaws.
Most notably, the label used ‘GATTI’ (Italian for cats) instead of the English ‘CAT’, alongside multiple spelling errors – common indicators of counterfeit products.
Image: Packaging featuring spelling mistakes and mixed languages
Pet owners should check the packaging and always be cautious of third-party sellers when shopping on e-commerce sites for any type of pet medication.
The IPO and VMD are offering advice for consumers to help spot fake animal medicines, and what to do if they believe they may have purchased them or seen them offered for sale.
How to identify fake animal medicines online:
1. Warning signs of fake medicines. Look out for:
poor quality or damaged packaging
spelling or grammar errors
missing leaflets or expiry dates
instructions not provided in English
suspicious smell, colour or texture
poor quality tablets, capsules, vials or pipettes – homemade appearance
Be wary of any retailer selling prescription only products without asking for your prescription. This is illegal.
All online sellers of prescription only animal medicines must be registered with the VMD. If in any doubt, you can check retailers on the VMD’s Register of Online Retailers.
2. Always shop safely online. Be cautious of:
heavily discounted goods and flash sales. Question the price if much cheaper than elsewhere. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price
a seller asking for sensitive information or requesting payment by bank transfer
fake websites and social media profiles. These can contain original brand names – confirm the website is authentic and check seller details and reviews before purchasing
any deal or offer that looks ‘too good to be true’
If you see these goods being offered for sale, whether on a website, social media post or on the high street, contact your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
If you encounter suspicious veterinary medicines or retailers, please also report them to the VMD Enforcement Team. (You can do so anonymously if preferred):
New puppy owners are being advised to make essential purchases ahead of welcoming their furry friend home to ensure a smooth transition.
On National Puppy Day (23 March), the dog training experts at ACME Kennels have revealed the vital items soon-to-be owners should buy so they are properly equipped to give their pup everything it needs to flourish.
Bringing a puppy home is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with a significant financial commitment. In addition to pet insurance and vaccinations, owners must consider essentials like food, training equipment and the correct bedding for their new addition to thrive.
Not having the right gear at home before bringing a new puppy home can lead to several risks, for example a lack of appropriate toys and training tools can lead to boredom and destructive behaviours.
Additionally, being unprepared can affect a puppy’s comfort and health, making house training more challenging and limiting their socialisation opportunities.
Ben Mcfarlane, expert from ACME Kennels , said: “Welcoming a new puppy is an exciting yet hectic experience for the whole family. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent boredom or bad behaviours developing, it’s essential to have the right supplies ready before their arrival- such as toys, food, and training kit.
“A well-prepared home lays the foundation for your puppy’s happiness and development. So, to help first-time puppy owners, we’ve created a checklist of must-have items to consider before bringing your new pup home, along with information on why each item is so important.”
Seven most important items to get before bringing home a puppy:
1. Bedding
To ensure the puppy feels comfortable, choose a soft bed with supportive sides and avoid oversized options, as they like to feel cosy. Select high-quality materials that can withstand chewing. Also, consider how easy it is to wash and how quickly it dries, as there may be a few accidents while the puppy settles in.
2. Food
It’s important to buy food they’re already familiar with to prevent an upset stomach. If you plan to switch foods, do so gradually after they’ve settled in to minimise stress. Always have a bowl of fresh water nearby so they are well hydrated. Being unprepared with the incorrect food and not enough water can impact their overall health.
3. Toys
Toys are vital for puppies who have boundless energy at this stage of their development, so select ones appropriate for their age and size, providing plenty of chew toys to protect your furniture. Without proper toys, puppies may become bored and engage in destructive behaviours, so ensure they have enough stimulation to develop good habits.
4. Safety Hazards
Puppies are naturally curious and can easily get into trouble without the right safety hazards in place. To keep them safe and prevent potential injuries, invest in items like baby gates and secure storage for toxic items.
5. Training tools
Training tools are crucial for helping puppies learn consistent good behaviours. Once the puppy has settled in, start with housetraining and teaching them their name; using a whistle can be very effective for this. Other useful tools include clickers for positive reinforcement and adjustable harnesses for safe walks, because establishing clear boundaries is key to your puppy’s development.
6. Collar & leash
Taking walks is a great way to bond with your new puppy. Owners can choose between a collar and leash or a harness and leash- experiment to see which works best for your pup. Once vaccinated, start with short walks, five minutes for each month of their age, up to twice daily.
7. House training supplies
Puppy pads or designated bathroom spaces are essential for effective house training, because inadequate supplies can lead to accidents that frustrate both owner and puppy. This not only results in uncleanliness and bad odours but can also damage furniture and stain carpets.
For more information on what to buy a puppy, please visit:
Cats Protection welcomes the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC)’s recently published report on responsible ownership and care of domestic cats in Scotland, supporting its microchipping recommendations to improve cat welfare across Scotland.
Advocacy Officer for Cats Protection, Alice Palombo, said: “We are delighted that SAWC has recommended the introduction of legislation for compulsory microchipping and the registration of owned cats in Scotland.
“This would be a vital step in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pet cats, one that Cats Protection has long campaigned for.
“Animal welfare charities take in thousands of unchipped cats every year, and Scotland has the second lowest microchipping rates in the UK at 72%. This legislation will help reunite lost cats with their owners, reduce the number of unowned and stray cats, while also reducing the burden on our teams.
“Trying to find the owners of unchipped cats often takes up valuable space in our pens – space that could otherwise be used for cats in urgent need.”
The charity further supports the development of a centralised database to simplify the registration process, giving an efficient way for pet owners, veterinary professionals, and animal welfare organisations to search for cats when needed.
In addition to legislative measures, SAWC has recommended that Scottish Ministers implement a public education programme to encourage voluntary microchipping and registration ahead of legal requirements.
Alice continues: “The combination of compulsory microchipping and a centralised registration system will be a game-changer for cat welfare in Scotland.
“A public education initiative will be crucial in raising awareness among cat owners and the wider public about the importance of responsible pet ownership.
“We hope Scottish Ministers do take action by implementing these proposals as soon as possible, which we believe are essential for improving cat welfare.”
Greater flexibility to keep pets in homes amongst range of Housing Bill measures
New legislation will introduce a range of measures to improve renting in Scotland, including strengthening tenants’ rights to keep a pet.
Measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill will allow a renter to make a request to keep a pet in their home and for that to not be unreasonably refused by their landlord. Currently, it is entirely up to the landlord whether a tenant can keep a pet, and they must be given written permission to do so.
Other provisions aimed at providing a good quality, and affordable rental market also include a system of long-term rent controls, with the Scottish Government working with tenants, landlords, investors and developers to bring forward a system that works for tenants and supports investment in private rented housing.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Pets are an important part of the family for many people across Scotland. Tenants have the right to feel at home in rented accommodation and having more control over keeping a pet can play a big part in that and can have additional benefits for their mental health and wellbeing.
“This is just one of a range of measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, including long-term rent controls, which will help improve the lives of renters and create an affordable, high-quality, and fair private rented sector.
“The Bill also meets the Scottish Government’s ambition to improve the renting experience in Scotland, whilst also encouraging landlords to invest.
“We will continue to work to create a system that strengthens renters’ rights and supports continued investment in the rental market.”
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations for the Scottish SPCA said: “We welcome the provisions included within the Housing (Scotland) Bill, particularly the safeguarding of the rights of tenants to keep pets and hope that these measures will foster a more inclusive and compassionate rental market.
“Our research has found that over 75% of tenants stated they had a pet for emotional (77%) and mental health (83%) support.
“This survey also highlighted that seven out of 10 tenants would risk becoming homeless if they were no longer able to keep their pet in their current accommodation.
“Sadly, we also found that 37% of tenants stated that they have had to make that unimaginable choice between having a pet and having a roof over their head.”
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home reports drop in donations has had a serious impact on pet owners
The pet food bank service which has been used as a lifeline by so many has been severely affected by the drop in donations it receives.
The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home (the Home) works with 87 pet food bank providers across East and Central Scotland, providing meals to pet owners who would otherwise not be able to afford to feed their beloved pets.
Without food bank support from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, some pet owners would be forced to surrender their beloved dog or cat. However, capacity at the Home itself is at a maximum and if even 1% of animals supported by foodbanks had been surrendered to the Home, they would be beyond capacity and be forced to turn them away.
In 2023 the Home was able to fulfil over 75% of pet food requests that they received, but that number has dropped to less than 50% since February 2024. The Home is now struggling to support the food banks with even the basic amount of cat and dog food that they require to support families in desperate need.
The demand for pet food bank support is growing so rapidly it is currently outstripping supply.
Last year the Home provided 671,000 pet meals in total through emergency food packs accessed at the Home and through food banks – a staggering 104% increase on the number of meals they provided in 2022. In April 2024 alone the Home supplied 1,144 dogs with one week’s worth of dog food and 2,124 cats were supported with one week’s worth of cat food.
Jamie Simpson, Director of People and Services at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said,“Our Pet Foodbanks are a lifeline for thousands of dog and cat owners across East & Central Scotland, who, without our support, may have to give up their loved pet.
“We rely solely on donations to provide food supplies and with the cost-of-living crisis, demand is increasing. The Home is now at a point in which our foodbank donations are critically low but demand for help is at a record high, so we are asking anyone who can to support us with a donation of dog or cat food, to help pet owners in need in the community and keep pets in loving homes.”
The cost of living crisis has put pressure on food banks to support growing numbers of communities who are not able to afford to feed their families and pets.
In 2023 the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home supplied 86,779kg of pet food, 595,816 meals were distributed at pet food banks across East and Central Scotland, 753 dogs were helped through Emergency Food Packs (75% increase from 2022), and 798 cats were helped (an 8% increase from 2022).
Food bank provider, Marie Johnson from Broxburn’s The Larder, said, “A couple of years ago I used to go out once or twice a week to collect donations, now I’m going out every single day.
“As soon as I stack the shelves they are being emptied.”
Without food bank support from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, some pet owners would be forced to surrender their beloved dog or cat, as this anonymous user explains: “I didn’t realise I could get help with dog food. I have been missing meals myself to make sure my two dogs were being fed, thanks to the Larder and the Dog and Cat Home, I can eat as well now.
“Without the food provision support I would have to give up my two dogs which would be terrible – my pets are key to my mental and physical health and overall wellbeing. I would like to say thank you for the pet food, I really don’t know what I would do without this service.”
The support of generous donors has kept Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home open for 140 years, giving animals a safe place to recover and find love and helping countless more pets through 87 foodbanks across East and Central Scotland.
Twenty volunteers collect, organise and distribute donations to pet food bank locations across Scotland each week.
Please contact foodbanks@edch.or.uk if you would like to support the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home by running a pet food drive at your place of work or community group, or if any pet food store/business would like to help with donations.
Reforms will help reunite thousands of lost or stolen animals every year and deter pet theft
Lost or stolen pets will be reunited with their owners more quickly under reforms to the pet microchipping system announced today (29 March).
With over nine million pet dogs and nine million pet cats in England, it is devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen. Microchipping is the most effective and quickest way of identifying pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.
Reforms set out today will help reunite stray pets by making microchip records easier to access, improving the accuracy of microchip information, and standardising database operator processes.
The new measures will help deter pet theft by creating more opportunities for suspicious activity to be flagged. This will include requiring database operators to provide a field indicating whether the pet has been reported as ‘missing’, strengthening the process for transferring keepership of a pet by ensuring the current keeper has 28 days to object, and preventing the creation of duplicate records.
The changes also include the creation of a central portal that approved users – including vets, local authorities, and police – can use to search microchip records rather than having to contact separate databases individually, which can delay the time taken for pets to be returned home.
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas Miller said: ““Pets are treasured members of the family so it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.
“These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it quicker for vets, local authorities and police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard pets from theft and increase the likelihood of lost pets being returned home.”
Michael Webb, Battersea’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs, said: “Battersea is incredibly pleased with these reforms to the microchipping system, which will improve services for owners, enforcers and rescues alike.
“We see dogs and cats arrive at our centres every day with out-of-date microchips, or sadly no microchip at all, making it near impossible for our staff to reunite people with their pets.
“These reforms, which we have been calling for for some time, will not only help rescues like Battersea reunite more pets in less time, but also hopefully better protect dogs and cats from theft.
“With only several weeks to go until the law requires millions of cats to be microchipped, it is vital that the country’s microchipping system is as effective and robust possible and we will continue to work with Defra and other organisations to ensure that this is the case.”
RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said: “Microchipping our pets is so important and provides reassurance and security, should they go missing, that they’ll be able to be identified and returned home quickly.
“A centralised portal with more accurate records will ensure that animals who end up with vets, local authorities and charities, like the RSPCA, can be traced back to their owners as quickly as possible, minimising the stress and anxiety they may feel being away from everything they know.”
British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said: “Microchipping is a vital tool for vets working to identify lost pets and to successfully reunite them with their owners. The British Veterinary Association has been pressing for action to address issues with the current database system, which have been a source of ongoing frustration.
“These new measures are a positive step forwards and the new portal should help vet teams to check multiple databases quickly, identify and reunite cats and dogs with their owners and provide prompt treatment where needed.”
Today’s announcement follows a government consultation on the issue in which over 96% of respondents expressed support for the measures, and progresses an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge and key recommendations from the Pet Theft Taskforce.
It also builds upon wider work to make it easier for lost, stray, or stolen pets to be returned home safely, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats in England by 10 June 2024.
Westminster is also clamping down on pet theft by taking forward key recommendations from the Pet Theft Task Force, and have recently confirmed Government support for the Pet Abduction Bill.
These commitments are part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading animal welfare standards.
Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, Westminster has brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; announced an extension of the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.
Owners across the UK have just days left to enter their extraordinary cat into this year’s National Cat Awards.
Run by the charity Cats Protection, the annual event celebrates the nation’s most marvellous moggies, with heartwarming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Owners have until noon on Tuesday 26 March to nominate their cat in one of four categories.
Owners or colleagues can also nominate a veterinary professional who has provided exceptional care for a cat in the Vet of the Year category:
Family cats: For cats who make a family complete – whether it’s being there for companionship, providing comfort and support in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.
Incredible cats – From heroic cats who save the day to those who have done something truly extraordinary. They might have survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure or maybe even saved a life.
Senior cats: Celebrating cats over the age of 11, who might be thriving in their older years or simply enjoying the quieter side of life.
Connected cats: Recognising cats that make us smile. From well connected cats with their own social media following to those who pop up in the local community.
Vet of the Year 2024: For veterinary professionals who have provided outstanding cat care.
Cats Protection’s Marketing and Income Generation Director Catherine Cottrell said: “From heroic to heartwarming, we love hearing how cats have such a positive impact on people’s lives.
“With under two weeks left before entries close, we’re looking forward to hearing even more stories that we hope will inspire more people to adopt a rescue cat.”
Winners will be selected in a public vote and by a panel of judges before being announced during a ceremony in London on 18 September.
Author and journalist Dawn O’Porter hosted the event last year and will be returning. “I’m thrilled to be back to present the Cats Protection National Cat Awards again this year, it’s the ultimate event for cat lovers,” she said.
“It’s a chance to recognise the UK’s most extraordinary cats and celebrate the relationship with the cats in our lives, because they really do make life better and I’m definitely up for supporting that.”
The Cat of the Year 2024 will be selected from the four category winners. Last year’s winner was Zebby from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, who won the title National Cat of the Year in recognition of the support he gives to his deaf owner by alerting her to sounds and noises around the home.
The CMA has today published its main concerns following an initial review into the veterinary sector
CMA provisionally decides it should launch a formal Market Investigation.
Initial review prompts over 56,000 responses from public and vet industry.
The review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlights multiple concerns in the market, including:
Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.
Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.
Large corporate groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.
Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.
The CMA has provisionally decided that it should launch a formal Market Investigation focused on its provisional analysis of the issues in the sector and is now consulting on this proposal.
A Market Investigation enables the CMA to investigate its concerns in full and to intervene directly in markets if it finds that competition is not working well. Along with compelling those under investigation to provide information, it gives the CMA access to a wide range of legally enforceable remedies, such as mandating the provision of certain information to consumers, imposing maximum prescription fees and ordering the sale or disposal of a business or assets.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “We launched our review of the veterinary sector last September because this is a critical market for the UK’s 16 million pet owners.The unprecedented response we received from the public and veterinary professionals shows the strength of feeling on this issue is high and why we were right to look into this.
“We have heard concerns from those working in the sector about the pressures they face, including acute staff shortages, and the impact this has on individual professionals. But our review has identified multiple concerns with the market that we think should be investigated further.
“These include pet owners finding it difficult to access basic information like price lists and prescription costs – and potentially overpaying for medicines. We are also concerned about weak competition in some areas, driven in part by sector consolidation, and the incentives for large corporate groups to act in ways which may reduce competition and choice.
“Given these strong indications of potential concern, it is time to put our work on a formal footing. We have provisionally decided to launch a market investigation because that’s the quickest route to enable us to take direct action, if needed.”
The CMA’s concerns
Based on the evidence gathered so far, the CMA has 5 key concerns that it proposes to investigate further:
Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.
Most vet practices do not display prices on their website – of those practices checked, over 80% had no pricing information online, even for the most basic services. Pet owners tend not to shop around between vet practices and assume prices will be similar, although that is not always the case.
People are not always informed of the cost of treatment before agreeing to it – around one fifth of respondents to the CFI said that they were not provided with any cost information before agreeing to tests, around one in 10 said they were not provided with cost information before their pet had surgery, and around half said they were not informed about costs before agreeing to out of hours treatment.
A company can own multiple vet practices in a local area without making that clear – for example, only 4 out of 6 of the largest groups don’t change the name or branding when they take over an independently owned vet practice. This means pet owners are not always comparing competitors when choosing a vet practice.
Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.
Market concentration measures how many competitors operate in a particular market – the fewer firms operating in a market, the more concentrated it is.
In 2013, around 10% of vet practices belonged to large groups, but that share is now almost 60%, and many of the large groups have expressed an intention to continue expanding their business through acquisition of independently owned practices.
To illustrate this another way, since 2013 1,500 of the 5,000 vet practices in the UK have been acquired by the 6 large corporate groups (CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners).
This may reduce the number of business models in locations where most or all of the first opinion practices are owned by one large corporate group, giving less choice to consumers because they tend to choose practices close to home.
Large integrated groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.
Given the significant and ongoing growth of large corporate groups, the CMA is concerned that:
The large, integrated corporate groups (especially those whose business models include significant investment in advanced equipment) may concentrate on providing more sophisticated, higher cost treatments, meaning that consumers are less able to access simpler, lower cost treatments even if they would prefer that option.
To varying extents, the large vet groups have also bought businesses which offer related services such as specialised referral centres, out of hours care, diagnostic labs and/or crematoria. These large groups may have the incentive and ability to keep provision of these related services within the group, potentially leading to reduced choice, higher prices, lower quality and exit of independent competitors.
Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
Vets must use signs in reception or treatment rooms to tell customers that they can get a prescription for medicine and buy it elsewhere, but the CMA is concerned that these may not be effective. While it can be convenient to buy a medicine directly from the vet as part of a consultation, around 25% of pet owners did not know that getting a prescription filled elsewhere was an option – meaning they are missing out on potential savings, even with the prescription fee.
Some vet practices may make up to a quarter of their income selling medicines – so there may be little incentive to make pet owners aware of alternatives.
The current regulatory regime may contribute to concerns by restricting veterinary practices’ ability to source cheaper medicines online.
The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.
The main regulation in the industry dates from 1966, before non-vets were able to own vet practices. It relates to individual practitioners, not practice owners or vet practices as businesses. This means that the statutory regulator, the RCVS, has limited leverage over the commercial and consumer-facing aspects of veterinary businesses, for example how prices are communicated or whether there is transparency about ownership of vet practices or related services.
The RCVS has put in place a Practice Standards Scheme which applies to the vet practice rather than individual vets. Only 69% of eligible practices have signed up to this voluntary scheme, meaning that almost a third of the market has not committed to this approach.
The provisional view is that outcomes for consumers could be improved if regulatory requirements and/or elements of best practice could be monitored or enforced more effectively.
Next steps
The CMA has launched a 4-week consultation to seek views from the sector on the proposal to launch a market investigation. The consultation closes on 11 April 2023 at which point it will consider the responses received and a decision will be made on how to proceed.
For further information visit the veterinary services case page. This includes the consultation document which sets out more details and statistics on today’s update.
A response from the British Veterinary Association to follow
It is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray
New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are now in force (31 December) making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray from today.
The decision to ban XL Bully dogs was made following a concerning rise in attacks from these dangerous dogs, with 23 people sadly losing their lives after vicious dog attacks in the last three years. XL Bullies have been involved in many of these tragic deaths.
Owners are also being urged to apply to register their current XL Bully dogs, as the Government takes action to safely manage the existing population of the breed. There is only a month left to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.
Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.Owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put down.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The Prime Minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end of 2023.
“We have met that pledge – it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.
“All XL Bully owners are expected to comply with the law and we will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, with further restrictions on XL Bully dogs coming into force on 1 February.”
The UK Government has taken a staggered approach to safely manage the existing population of XL Bully dogs, while ultimately banning the breed.
On the 31 October, XL Bully dogs were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act, with owners given two months to prepare for the first stage of the ban.
Since the 31 December [today], it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray. All XL Bully dogs must also be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.
From 1st February all XL Bully dogs which must be registered.
From 30 June, XL Bully dogs over 1 year old must be neutered, this is extended until the 31 December for younger dogs.
