Standing up for the veterinary profession
08 Aug 2024
28 Jan 2022 | Justine Shotton
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Following increasing veterinary and public concern about the rise in unregulated canine fertility clinics, 蹤獲弝け Senior Vice President Justine Shotton is calling for a crackdown and explains how you can report your concerns.
The BBC expos矇 shone a spotlight on the scandal of unregulated clinics with no veterinary oversight offering courses on canine fertility to people with no veterinary or animal handling qualifications. The undercover footage showed illegal blood sampling, lay people advocating the unlicensed use of human medicines on dogs, and potentially illegal acts during artificial insemination.
It sent a shockwave through the media, but within the veterinary profession we were sadly not surprised. In veterinary practices up and down the country wed already been seeing the impact of the pandemic puppy boom as unscrupulous people turned to dog breeding to make money from an unsuspecting public.
Worse still, the programme highlighted that these clinics often focus on the most in-demand breeds such as bulldogs and other brachycephalic (or flat-faced) breeds that struggle to whelp (give birth) and are already known to have a range of health problems. Its an animal welfare disaster.
Worryingly, our members report that there are more and more of these clinics popping up across the UK and its time for a crackdown. Weve been talking to the animal welfare enforcement authorities, and we know they are deeply concerned and keen to hear reports from the veterinary profession to help in their investigations.
Because these clinics are operating with no veterinary oversight, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) cant regulate them, but they are supporting other agencies by giving guidance on which procedures fall under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
Under this legislation veterinary surgery is defined as diagnosis and diagnostic testing, advice based on diagnosis, medical or surgical treatment, and the performance of surgical operations. In relation to fertility clinics the RCVS has advised the following:
Our team has pulled together information on how to report concerns:
The more information the authorities have, the easier it is for them to take enforcement action. Working together we need to send a strong message that these animal welfare breaches are unacceptable.
As veterinary professionals we also need to work with, and support, our good breeder clients and double our efforts to reach prospective puppy owners to help them make the right decisions when they choose a new pet. Signposting to the is a good place to start to make sure new owners ask all the right questions.
Updated: August 2023
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