Cats Protection, which has launched an online support hub promoting pet care on a budget, fears tens of thousands of animals could already be at risk because of owners cutting veterinary spending.

Places are still available for the latest in the BVA’s series of lunchtime sessions, which aim to help address the veterinary sector’s workforce pressures.

Councillors are being asked to approve plans that would enable the college to prosecute alleged breaches of the Veterinary Services Act on a trial basis.

Nursing body says bid to define role should have involved stakeholders “to provide a single definition that encompasses the wide and diverse range of knowledge and skills that veterinary nurses have”.

Under new proposals, owners in England face a fine if their cat is not microchipped from next summer.

Richard Irvine has taken up his new role as Wales’ chief vet, succeeding Christianne Glossop.

Officials have released an online fund-raising pack they hope will encourage clinics to support their work.

Dogs Trust has renewed its call for the chancellor to help pet owners in this week’s budget.

The BVA president has called on politicians to finally pass the long-awaited Kept Animals Bill into law to help safeguard animal and human health.

Despite cross-party support for a ban, a Senedd debate was warned more evidence was needed before any decisions could be taken.

Almost one in five owners are now struggling to pay for preventive care, the latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey indicates.

Defra has defended its approach after it was accused of seeking to “accommodate” the pet industry with rules that enable some animals to be kept in lower standard housing for up to three months 

Bosses of Veterinary Specialists Scotland say they are “thrilled” to have appointed Tobias Grave.

Fourteen bursaries have been awarded through a VetPartners programme, while applications have also opened for a new round of £80,000 EMS bursary grants from Vets4Pets.

The company says the strategy for its UK operations has not changed, despite its move to sell off eight businesses that have been the subject of a competition investigation.

An RCVS disciplinary committee said the incident was “a single, but serious failure” that was unlikely to be repeated.

Officials have described the measure as “very modest” after its approval by the Privy Council.

Consultation launched on plans that would require all poultry keepers to formally register their flocks.

Bosses say they are considering their options after the Competition and Markets Authority alleged the deal could lead to higher prices for veterinary health services.

Public health chiefs in the UK said they were remaining vigilant over avian flu, though they stress there is currently no sign that the virus is easily transmissible between humans.

The company disagrees with the competition authority’s findings about its deals to acquire eight previously independent businesses, but says it will divest them to give certainty to affected workers.

The organisation has also launched a search for a new junior vice-president who would be in line to take on the top job in two years’ time.

Officials say the appointment of Ellie Duffy is the first stage of the group’s development as a “financially sustainable social enterprise”.

Scotland’s Rural College gets £40,000 funding to develop courses in partnership with Scottish Sea Farms.

Dogs Trust officials are leading calls for a 12-month suspension of the tax, which they would like to see implemented when the chancellor makes his financial statement later this month.

An East Kilbride veterinary practice has been named Pet Blood Bank’s top host venue for its work with the organisation.