Many common festive foods and decorations can be dangerous to pets, and the association hopes its members won’t be called to deal with emergencies during this festive season.

Dogs Trust said calls to its Together Through Homelessness scheme rocketed by 82% in a three-month period compared with last year.

Two cattle in Norfolk have been confirmed to have the disease, although officials insist there is still no sign the virus is circulating.

New RVC research has indicated significant variation in how owners provide additional vitamin D to their alpacas and called for further study to establish “gold standard” practices in the area.

World Horse Welfare has urged EU member states to back measures to cut the maximum journey time for animals being taken to slaughter.

Nine animals have now been found to have the disease since the first infection was discovered in Kent last month.

Inspectors believe the animal tied to a fence with a belt near a Cheltenham primary school was deliberately targeted.

Three charities that estimate they have campaigned for more than 200 years between them have hailed the launch of a new Government bill to boycott them.

The BVA and BSAVA have joined together to release a new policy paper calling for tighter rules, harsher sentences and increased enforcement.

Developers of the VetCycle programme say it enables veterinary businesses to reuse a wider range of products that can’t be recycled through regular methods.

The RCVS plans to issue new guidance before its new EMS rules come into force next year, but the BVU wants more done to prevent students being “impoverished”.

Although the latest was recorded outside the original restriction zone, officials say there is no evidence of the virus circulating among the midge population.

Analysis by Wildlife and Countryside Link and Wales Environment Link found too many offences are going unpunished after prosecutions fell by more than 40% last year.

Test groups are being recruited in a move project leaders hope will encourage thousands more producers to sign up to the scheme in 2024.

The BVA, which proposed the extension, welcomes assurance from Defra, but warned its concerns about health implications for affected dogs, together with sector’s capacity to deal with the ban, still stand.

Bosses of the Leeds-based company say they are confident the deal can help it continue to expand.

Campaign organisers say milestone shows the continuing scale of need as another hard winter beckons.

Although latest figures suggest public demand is starting to wane, a new report has called for all stakeholders, including vets, to do more.

BEVA officials thrilled with interest shown in their new programme at the ExCel event later this month.

More than 250 delegates including senior vets, farmers’ leaders and government officials attended the event in Worcester, which focused on the need for collaboration to eradicate the disease.

The Scottish Dog and Cat Home says the number of rehoming requests is so high it can only take in a fraction of the animals that need its help.

Questions have been raised about whether the profession was too slow to respond to the rising threat, even though a new risk assessment is being seen as a major step forward.

The first Alabama rot fatalities of the season have been verified in Hampshire and Surrey, prompting a new plea for vigilance from pet owners.

The Government insists it has taken “decisive action”, but a long-serving backbencher claimed its measures are the worst legislation of the current Parliament.

BVA senior vice-president Malcolm Morley sounds an optimistic note while speaking alongside other leading figures at Big 6 Live debate.

Investigations into the source of the virus are continuing as the UK’s chief vet urged animal keepers to report any potential outbreaks to their local clinicians.

New data from the latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey showed seven in eight respondents fear resistance could leave them unable to treat infections.