Pet Microchip - Rescue Back-Up

There is a new Government Petition - please sign and share.
Don't forget to confirm your email address by following the link you are emailed, your signature will not be counted until you click the link you receive.

Sign HERE

Petition Text:

Ban removing Rescue Back Up details from pet microchips & make them permanent

Rescue Back Up details registered on microchips can be removed by authorised external users like alternate rescuers, without informing the original rescue organisation.

We call on the Government to amend Microchipping Of Cats and Dogs Regulations to ban the removal of Rescue Back Up details and other important welfare information registered on microchips, create a permanent audit trail, and automatically notify registered rescue organisations of any attempts to remove these details.

When a rescue or breeder register their RBU details on the microchip of a pet they rehomed, they may do so on the basis that it will remain there so they can be contacted if the pet is vulnerable. Authorised users with access to microchip databases, can remove original registration or rescue back up details without telling the original rescue, breeder, owner, keeper or rehoming centre, which can leave them unable to trace their dog or offer lifetime protection.

Dog Food Recall

There is a recall of all Years fresh meals - full details can be found on their website which includes the following information as of 19th August 2026:

As a precaution, we're issuing a voluntary recall of all Years Fresh Meals (excluding Chef's Collection).

Our investigation has identified buckwheat as a potential contributing factor, and we are investigating a potential contamination within the buckwheat supply. Several findings have led us to investigate buckwheat as a potential contributing factor:

Timing - all confirmed cases have emerged after buckwheat was introduced into the recipe, with zero confirmed cases prior to that change

Potential supply contamination - possible contamination identified in supplier product during our review, with laboratory testing due soon

Case data - confidential data shared by an independent ophthalmologist, covering symptoms, diet and environmental factors across their cases

Buckwheat is a common, approved ingredient used across many pet foods, and went through Years’ standard ingredient and recipe approval process before being introduced, including supplier approval, ingredient specification review and formulation in line with FEDIAF guidelines.

Further independent laboratory testing around the buckwheat supply is ongoing. Years has chosen to voluntarily recall the meals as a precautionary measure, without causation having yet been proven.

As of 9pm on 18th August, 192 customers in total have reported potential, as yet unverified, eye issues out of approximately 40,000 customers.

We know for some, this will strike as overly cautious - but at Years, we will always put every dog's health and wellbeing first.

Your subscription is paused for 6 weeks, and we will be reformulating our recipes without buckwheat.

What you should do

Stop feeding Years fresh meals immediately, whether your dog is experiencing symptoms or not

Do not feed the meals to any other dog or animal

Do not donate or sell the meals

Your subscription will be automatically paused tonight, for an initial period of six weeks. This gives us time to freshly cook your dog's meals using quinoa in place of buckwheat along with a thank you gift, for your patience, in your next subscription box.

Your help with our investigation would mean a great deal. We'll arrange a free collection of any unused meals and apply a full credit to your account for the order.

Fireworks - New Government Consultation

Have you and your dogs/animals been affected by Fireworks?

This Consultation is open until 7th October 2026 and can be responded to here: Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK - GOV.UK

The Consultation description is as below:

Introduction
Fireworks are enjoyed by many for celebrations and cultural events. However, their use has become a growing concern, as seen from public complaints, parliamentary debates, and petitions calling for stronger controls due to the negative impacts on neighbourhood safety, vulnerable people, and animals.
This consultation explores these issues, in support of the UK Government’s Safer Streets Mission to tackle anti-social behaviour. The goal is to find an approach that preserves the enjoyment of fireworks for celebrations while preventing harm and distress to others.

Why are we consulting

Before making any changes to fireworks regulations, we are seeking views on our proposals to ensure we receive all relevant evidence and perspectives. This will allow us to refine the policy to reduce unintended consequences and maximise the potential benefits. We are seeking views on proposals to:

• restrict the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public, with louder products only available to professional users.

• add products deemed to be carrying unacceptable risks to the list of existing banned pyrotechnic products set out in regulation 33 of the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended).

• review the regulations for fireworks and pyrotechnic products currently classified as lower risk to better reflect the different levels of risk they pose.

Petition to provide lifelong vet care for retired service animals

A Petition to provide lifelong vet care and financial support for retired service animals.

This is a UK Government Petition, currently awaiting a government response as more than 10,000 signatures have been reached.

Petition Text:

We want the UK Government to create a national support scheme to provide lifelong veterinary care and financial assistance for retired service animals, including police dogs, military dogs, and police horses.

Service animals protect the public and support the emergency services and armed forces. Many retire with injuries or health conditions linked to their service. Ongoing care costs often fall to former handlers, adopters, or charities.
We want a national support scheme or pension to help fund lifelong veterinary care and welfare support for retired service animals.

You can Sign and Share the Petition Here:  

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/769616

If the petition receives more than 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Westminster Hall Debate

Held on 24th June - discussing the regulation of the use of euthanasia in dog and animal shelters.

The proceedings can be viewed online here - https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-06-24/debates/044E04D2-0461-4E4D-BEB2-D81BD89CF492/AnimalSheltersRegulationOfEuthanasia

Exempted Dogs Update - Defra New

There are two changes issued by Defra in June 2026, applying to all exempted dogs in England and Wales as follows:

1. 9 June 2026

Updated guidance to reflect changes to requirements. 1. From 1 July 2026, you will no longer need third party public liability insurance for banned breed dogs, including XL Bully dogs. Updated section ‘Third party public liability insurance’.

1. 2. From 1 November 2026, you must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with an XL Bully dog in a private place (for example a home or garden), without adult supervision.

2. A government press release stated:

3. From 1 November 2026, owners must not leave a child under the age of 12 in close proximity to a banned breed dog in a domestic setting or other private settings place without adult supervision. This will be a condition of the Certificate of Exemption, which allows owners to legally keep a banned breed. 

4. Details can be viewed online here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs#if-you-have-a-certificate-of-exemption

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Hot Weather Advice - UK Dogs

Some tips to help keep your dog/s safe and comfortable as we reach heatwave temperatures already in May:

Pavements/roads Test with the back of your hand for five seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog's paw pads. 

Pet Sunscreen: Apply pet-safe sun cream to exposed, unpigmented areas, such as the tips of their ears and nose, to help prevent sunburn, but keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can.

Never leave your dog in a vehicle: Temperatures inside vehicles/cars can soar to fatal levels. Never leave your dog unattended, even for a few minutes with the windows down.

Outside & Inside Areas: As the sun moves during the day, ensure that their area remains shaded throughout the day if necessary.

Water: Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available.

Heatsroke: Know the signs of Heatstroke and the correct way to give first aid to cool down - seek veterinary advice.

Walks: If you need to walk your dog - go out at cooler times of the day like early morning and late evenings, use shaded areas if possible.