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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

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.