International Cat Care (iCatCare) has launched its annual photography competition to document the six life stages of cats.

From kitten through to super senior, judges are on the lookout for images that document behaviour not necessarily associated with a particular life stage - such as a super senior playing with toys. However, photographs are by no means limited to this.

More information about the competition, including deadlines and submission details, can be found at woobox.com/thoqqz

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) has launched its 2020 #HedgehogWeek appeal to raise money for and awareness of the UK's dwindling hedgehog populations.

The appeal forms part of Hedgehog Awareness Week (3-9 May), which is this year asking people to take the time to think about may they could help hedgehogs, from creating a log pile in their garden to offering shallow bowls of water.

BHPS chief executive Fay Vass said: "With COVID-19 restrictions we are probably all spending more time in our own gardens and green spaces, so it's an ideal time to make those areas better for our dwindling population of hedgehogs as well as doing something positive, safe at home."

BEVA has announced that it is cutting membership renewal charges for the next three months in order to support all veterinary professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Memberships for all existing BEVA members will be extended until 30 June 2020. Veterinary professionals who are not members of BEVA will also be able to sign up for a free membership until 30 June 2020.

BEVA president Tim Mair said: "In this extraordinary time of global crisis our profession, as with many industries, is under immense pressure. By offering free membership we are giving equine vets easy access to a wealth of supportive resources and online CPD."

To sign up please visit the BEVA website.

Image (c) BEVA.

Nominations are now open for the inaugural Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate the work of hard-working rabbit friendly vets, nurses and practices across the UK.

Organised with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, a panel of veterinary professionals and rabbit experts will crown a rabbit welfare champion from each of the following categories: UK Rabbit Vet of the Year; Rabbit Nurse of the Year and Rabbit Veterinary Practice of the Year.

The winners of each category will receive a cash prize of £500. To make a nomination, please visit burgesspetcare.com

In support of Cats Protection's Pawsome Afternoon Tea fundraiser, Masterchef winner Tim Anderson and Great British Bake Off star Kim-Joy have shared biscuit recipes to help keen bakers raise money for needy cats across April.

The celebrity chefs are both cat owners and have said that they hope this fundraiser will help to raise awareness of cats in need and the importance of adopting a cat, rather than buying one.

This is the fourth year Cats Protection has run its Pawsome Afternoon Tea campaign, which encourages people to hold tea parties, bake sales and fundraising events to help raise money for the charity.

To view the recipes and other fundraising resources please visit the Cats Protection website.

A giant anteater pup born at Edinburgh Zoo in November has been spotted for the first time riding on its mothers back.

It is expected to be a few months yet before the pup is large enough to move around independently. It will soon have its first health check and be weighed, sexed and named.

Edinburgh Zoo's head of carnivores Alison MacLean said, "Both mum and baby are spending a lot of time in their off-show area at the moment while the youngster grows.

"Giant anteaters are vulnerable to extinction in the wild, so every birth is a potential lifeline for the species."

The pup's mother, Nala, and father, Lucifer, arrived at the zoo in 2009. Since then they have produced two pups, a female born in 2010 and a male in October 2012. Both of which have moved on as part of the European breeding programme for giant anteaters.

Image (c) RZSS/Sian Addison