Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Learning from homeless cats
  Amy Paddock with Cookie

Charity and college partnership set to benefit all

In a collaboration with pet charity Blue Cross, South Staffordshire College is providing care for homeless cats and kittens, until they are rehomed.

The college has provided specially made "cat chalets" and is allowing those students studying Animal Care and Management to look after the cats, whilst gaining valuable experience.

"I'm really enjoying looking after cats for Blue Cross," said student Amy Paddock. "Practical experience is really important for my course and so I'm learning at the same time.

"It makes it extra special to be helping a charity and to know that for many of these cats there simply isn't anywhere else for them to go, so they really do need our help."
 
Michelle Smith, Blue Cross regional foster manager, added that the new partnership will give homeless cats in the area the best chance of finding a new home, while enabling students to gain useful first-hand experience of looking after animals.

"Blue Cross rehoming centres across the UK are full of cats and kittens desperate for new homes and our catteries are often full to capacity," she commented, "so it really is a win-win partnership for all of us – including the cats!”

Image courtesy of South Staffordshire College

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk