North America
Bayer Boosts Its ‘Grant Fur Families’ Program
https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/bayer-pledges-200k-in-dv-aid/
Bayer has boosted its Grant Fur Families program, giving $10,000 to each of the seven domestic violence shelters and aiming to pledge $200,000 by the end of 2019. The program aims to help those affected by domestic abuse by providing pet-friendly emergency shelters. This is to stop one’s fear of remaining in an abusive relationship because of their worry about what might happen to their beloved pet. By the end of 2019, Bayer aims to boost the number of pet-friendly shelters from 7 to 20. – Bravo, we say!
Petco Increases Clinics Across U.S.
https://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=54921
Petco has now increased its veterinary in-store clinic count to 66 across the US, with an aim to reach 200 by early 2021. The brand currently owns 1,500 pet stores across the US but doesn’t intend to open a clinic in each one.
UK & Europe
Link Between Early Neutering Of Bitches And Increased Urinary Incontinence Risk
A study has found a link between the early neutering of bitches and an increased risk of urinary incontinence. The results found that neutered bitches had 2.12 times more likeliness to develop urinary incontinence versus non-neutered bitches. It further showed that there was a 1.82 times increased risk of urinary incontinence in bitches neutered before 6 months of age versus those neutered between 6 and 12 months.
UK And Ireland Veterinary Bodies Sign Mutual Regonitition Agreement
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/uk-and-ireland-regulators-sign-historic-agreement/
The UK and Ireland veterinary bodies (RCVS and VCI) have signed an agreement allowing each country to accept one another’s accredited veterinary degrees. This is impactful because of Brexit will disrupt those that wish to work in another European country, but now thanks to this mutual recognition agreement, veterinarians in both Ireland and the UK can safely work in each country with no qualms of work visas etc.
Asia-Pacific
Vet Shortage Across Australia Is A Problem For Over Half Of Practice Owners
https://vetpracticemag.com.au/vet-shortage-is-main-concern-for-practice-managers/
For more than half of veterinary practice owners across Australia, the shortage of employable vets is becoming a big issue. In a study of over 90 practice owners, MPV Consulting has found that a third of practice owners felt uncertain about the availability of staff and a further 23 per cent felt very negative about the issue. On the other hand, the remaining practice owners interviewed did not feel that this was anything to worry about.
[Editors comment: Which is why it’s such a bad idea to solve the British recruitment crisis by poaching vets from overseas countries where shortages also exist.]
