Ȥҹapp

With the Competitions and Market Authority’sÌý(CMA)ÌýinvestigationÌýinto the vet services market for household pets entering its final stages,ÌýandÌýscrutinyÌýof theÌýprofessionÌýongoing,ÌýȤҹapp’s role as a strong voiceÌýforÌývetsÌýhas never been more essential.ÌýÌý

We’reÌýout thereÌýsetting the record straight, pushingÌýforÌýaÌýbalanced,ÌýnuancedÌýandÌýaccurateÌýnarrative around vets;Ìýspeaking up for our members with the CMA, as well asÌýacross media and social media.ÌýÌý

Attention-grabbing statistics make it harderÌýforÌýstakeholders like the CMA,Ìýjournalists,ÌýparliamentariansÌýand the publicÌýto ignore messages that might otherwise getÌýlost and allow us toÌýdeliver theÌýreal picture of the experiences of vet teams across the UK.ÌýÌý

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Voice statistics come directly from you, our members, giving spokespeople like me confidence thatÌýwe’reÌýspeaking about the issues that matter to our members and accurately reflecting your experiences.Ìý

Along withÌýourÌýresponse to the CMAÌýinvestigation,Ìýhere’sÌýjust a small selection of the ways yourÌýVoice responsesÌýhave made a differenceÌýthisÌýyear:ÌýÌý

• Helping us to shape new veterinary legislation:ÌýTheÌýCMA acknowledgedÌýour calls for reform of the woefully outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966Ìý(VSA), andÌýsubsequentlyÌýtheÌýÌýin October. Getting this on the Government’s agenda has been a huge step forward andÌýdata from a VSA specific survey in the Summer helped us asÌýwe workedÌýwith the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to shape whatÌýcouldÌýbeÌýincluded inÌýreformedÌýlegislation.ÌýÌý
• Supporting us in ourÌýcallsÌýfor theÌýUKÌýGovernment to urgently put a stop to unlawful puppy smuggling by progressing the Animal Welfare (Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill through Parliament and into law.ÌýThis vital newÌýlegislation introducesÌýcrucial measures to clamp down on puppy smuggling, ban the import of pets with illegal mutilations like cropped ears, and secure public health by preventing diseases such asÌýBrucellaÌýcanisÌýfrom being imported into the country.ÌýÌýÌý

• ThousandsÌýof you joined us at Ȥҹapp LiveÌý2025Ìýin JuneÌýandÌýthen atÌýȤҹapp Congress in November,Ìýwhere VoiceÌýdata featured heavily in discussions on theÌýhottest topics and trending issues, addingÌýreal value to debatesÌýandÌýkicking-off the discussions in veterinary press on everything from parasiticides to the use of artificial intelligenceÌý(AI)Ìýin veterinary workplaces.Ìý

• New Ȥҹapp resource to support client conversations about cat and dog diets:ÌýAhead of our new policy position last year, Voice of the Veterinary Profession research revealed that many pet owners are opting for non-traditional diets for their cats and dogs.ÌýHowever, the data also revealed that many vets are not routinely discussing dietary choices with their clients.ÌýThese statistics helped to shape a new resource, answeringÌýall ofÌýthe key questions you need to guide clients through potential pitfalls and make evidence-based decisions for their pet.Ìý

• UrgingÌýa holistic approachÌýto parasite control:ÌýIn a 2024 Voice Survey, large animal vets reported that 50% of their clients sourced parasiticides from feedstores and merchants, and 25% from their practice.ÌýWeÌýcalledÌýon vets, farmers, horseÌýownersÌýand Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) to approach parasiticide use in grazing animals with similar care to antibiotic use, taking a holistic and evidence-based approach to parasite control to tackle increasing resistance and concerns around environmental damage.ÌýÌý

• Going through redundancy can be a stressful experience due to the accompanying uncertainty, potential financial worries, and the emotional impact of being without a role that may have felt like a huge part of your identity.ÌýTo help tackle these challenges, Ȥҹapp used Voice data to launchÌýa new guideÌýto support veterinary professionalsÌýgoing through the process.ÌýÌýÌý

• AÌýnew Voice statistics pageÌýhas just goneÌýlive on our website,Ìýkeeping the profession updated about the results of our latest surveys. Take a look to learn more about what your fellow vets have to say aboutÌýeverything from pet diets to sustainability and to learn more about how they feel about their workplaces.Ìý

Our latest Voice survey is live right now and open to all Ȥҹapp members to complete.ÌýYour responses will help us toÌýshift the conversation around neutering options for dogs and cats, helpÌýpromote ourÌýpoliticalÌýmanifestos ahead of the elections in Scotland and Wales,Ìýgive us a clearer picture of the impact of workforce shortages across theÌýUKÌýand let us know what new resources the profession needs to support growing use of AI technology.ÌýÌý

Check your inbox now to take partÌýand to sign up for future surveys this year.Ìý