Letter from the Secretary of State for DEFRA

We have had a letter sent to us via Roger Williams MP from the Secretary of State for DEFRA The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP. They recognise that the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 is in need of modernisation, but, there is no set timetable to replace or amend the VSA, they have also said that they do not feel that this is a high enough priority for DEFRA to justify diverting staff from other more urgent activities.

I and many other pet owners disagree with this and we will carry on until it is a priority.

Forum

Our Forum is now live - http://rights4petsatvets.co.uk/forum/  Join and share your stories, pictures and your experiences!

Associate Parliamentary Group For Animal Welfare

We are now a member of the Associate Parliamentary Group For Animal Welfare


The APGAW is a long-standing cross-party parliamentary group made up of more than 80 MPs and Lords and over 70 associate animal welfare organisations. We aim to promote and further the cause of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe. 
 
The intention of APGAW is to keep MPs and Peers informed about animal welfare issues. Regular meetings and events provide an opportunity for those with a common interest in animal welfare to meet and debate their views and the views of others. APGAW also sets up working groups to investigate and report on areas of concern to the group.

Ultimately APGAW seeks to influence the development and introduction of effective wide-ranging legislation to improve animal welfare.

Campaign update......

• Thanks to Holly&Lil they are supporting our campaign and have added a link to our website... they also have a lovely picture of Ted modeling one of their collars

• Thanks to K9 Solutions, they are supporting the campaign and have added a link to our website...

• Thanks to the Acorn Dog training school, they are supporting the campaign and have added a link to our website....

• Thanks to our local pet shop 'Wagtails' they have collected over 200 signatures for the campaign.....

• Thanks to the group For 'The-Love-Of-Danes', who have offered to promote our campaign via their contacts.

• Many thanks to the Great Dane Owners Forum, they are supporting the campaign and have added a link to our website..

Peter Purves lends us his support

Peter Purves, former Presenter of BBC's children's programme, Blue Peter, and for over 30 years presenter and commentator at Cruft's Dog Show is lending his support to our campaign.

Statement in support of Rights 4 Pets @ Vets. 

(with permission)  

"Having kept at least five or six dogs for more than 30 years, I have been lucky that I have always had very good veterinary care in Suffolk and before that in Northampton and Rugby. Trusting one's vet is the most important element in animal husbandry I think. I was astonished to read that there is absolutely no mandatory regulation of who works in veterinary practices. Until that is addressed little progress will be made for those who have had less than satisfactory care from their vet practice. I support anything that can be done to improve the level of care for our animals, and anything that makes the complaints procedure easier to navigate and creates some credible regulations for the administration of "justice" for the complainants is to be applauded. Unfortunately Defra does not see this as an urgent requirement. Those who have been unfortunately dealt with would disagree."

Petition at No 10

Please sign this petition... lets give pet owners a voice.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Complaints-vet/

Campaign update......

We have been emailing the MP's that were part of the public affairs committee for the RCVS.  We have also emailed Dr. Christopher Chesney and advised him of the existence of our campaign, and our desire to expedite the recommendations of the 'Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966: Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2007 - 08'.
It will be interesting to see the amount of progress (if any) made since the report was published two years ago.


Link to the report:


http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvfru/1011/1011.pdf

Bob Spink MP is supporting our campaign.

Dr Bob Spink MP is supporting our campaign to change the complaints procedures within the veterinary profession.

The following represents the draft questions for Parliament which relate directly to our campaign.

From Dr Bob Spink MP (with permission)

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE FOR VETERINARY PRACTICES  

That this House is concerned about the lack of a coherent, modern and transparent complaints procedure for those dissatisfied with veterinary practices; further notes that despite the excellent care provided by veterinary surgeons, supported by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), mistakes and errors can be made and service users have a right to a fair complaints process; calls on the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to conduct a thorough review of the 1966 RCVS complaints procedure. 

 e-Tabling email notification: 

Your Parliamentary Question(s) have been received. You have sent 3 question(s) to the Table Office. This e-mail is to notify you that your Parliamentary Question(s) were received at 04 Feb 2010 02:43 PM and are being processed by the Table Office. 

Named Day Written question to: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for answer on 10 Feb 2010 12:00 AM 

What criteria are used by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons when assessing the required action to resolve a complaint.. 

Named Day Written question to: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for answer on 09 Feb 2010 12:00 AM 

If he will make it his policy to review the complaints procedure for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; and if he will make a statement.. 

Named Day Written question to: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for answer on 09 Feb 2010 12:00 AM 

How many complaints did the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons receive in each of the last five years; how many of these complaints resulted in disciplinary action; and what action was taken in each instance..