Form

Guidance for vets completing the veterinary confirmation of neutering form

Updated 17 April 2025

Applies to England and Wales

A veterinary confirmation of neutering form (VCN01) is required to prove that an XL Bully has been neutered.

Section 1 of the form must be completed by the owner. Section 2 of the form (including the declaration) must be completed by a veterinary surgeon who has either:

• neutered the dog
• determined that the dog has been neutered

Alternatively, a different vet can complete the form, so long as both of these conditions are met:

• they work at the same practice as the vet who either neutered the dog or determined the dog has been neutered
• internal or in-practice verification checks have been completed

The vet completing the form must complete the relevant sections on VCN01 as accurately as possible. It must also be in compliance with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) principles of certification:

• confirm that the dog has been surgically neutered
• record the dog’s microchip number
• confirm that a microchipping exemption form has been issued if the dog is unfit to be microchipped
• check that the dog identified on the VCN01 form matches the dog on the Certificate of Exemption if the dog was not microchipped when it was neutered
• sign the declaration on the form and add your RCVS number and practice details

The veterinary surgeon’s declaration can be completed based on either the veterinary surgeon having:

• carried out neutering on the dog in question
• used an appropriate method to confirm neutering

Determining whether a dog has been surgically castrated or spayed

It’s up to the vet to decide on the best method to use to determine if a dog has been surgically castrated or spayed. They should decide based on the individual circumstances and with regard to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct requirements. This includes that an individual veterinary surgeon should operate within their area of competency.

In some instances, the vet may need to use more than one method to identify that a dog has been castrated or spayed and is no longer able to breed.  

Suggested methods

The following are suggested methods to determine whether a dog has been surgically castrated or spayed.

Clinical records and physical examination

For male dogs, hormone testing or serology is an option. This could be a GnRH- or hCD response test.

For female dogs, hormone testing is an option. This could be AMH and progesterone testing.

Ultrasound

Laparoscopy is an option for both male and female dogs. However, invasive methods, such as laparoscopy, should only be used as a last resort or if the dog is already due to have surgery.

In addition, if during a laparoscopy or laparotomy the dog is found to not be neutered, neutering by surgical means (such as by laparoscopy or laparotomy) can be carried out. This is only if the owner has agreed to this in advance.

Payment

It’s the owner’s responsibility to cover the costs of:

• neutering
• any necessary veterinary time or procedures that are used to determine whether the dog is neutered

Completing the form

Once the vet has confirmed the dog has been neutered, they should complete Section 2 of the VCN01 form.

The information vets provide is important to reduce possible cases of owners falsely declaring they have met the exemption conditions.

The owner should submit the form. Find out where to submit the form and the deadline for doing so.

Contact

Veterinary practices should direct any queries from owners on both the wider ban and exemption scheme to the Ban on XL Bully dogs guidance.