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Colossal pet cat given up to Cats Protection
Chunky the cat
Chunky weighs more than double the healthy weight of an adult cat.
Struggling owners give up pet cat that reached more than double its ideal weight
 
A six-year-old male cat has been given up by its owners, who were unable to help him to lose weight and no longer felt they could look after him.
 
Chunky (pictured) weighed a colossal 10.7kg when he was bought to Cats Protection’s Cornwall Adoption Centre in April.
 
The guideline weight for a healthy adult cat is between four and five kilos, meaning Chunky was more than double his ideal weight.
 
In this condition, Chunky was at significant risk of health problems such as diabetes and arthritis.
 
With the help of Cats Protection, however, he has begun a gradual weight loss plan. It is hoped the adoption centre will find Chunky a new home with owners who will be able to help him to continue his weight loss.
 
Mark Magee, manager of Cats Protection's Cornwall Adoption Centre, said: “[Chunky] has been making good progress and currently weighs 10kg. We are now looking to find him a home in the Cornwall area where his new owners will help Chunky towards his ideal target weight, with the centre on hand to provide advice.”   
 
A Cats Protection survey, taken by 1,120 cat owners indicates that 23 per cent of cats are regarded to be overweight by their owners. The charity has provided the following simple steps for cat owners to help their pet to achieve a healthy weight:
 
  • Seek advice from a vet
  • Choose a reputable cat food, and stick to the manufacturer's recommended feeding amount
  • Avoid feeding cheese, chocolate, crisps and other "human" food. A small               amount of boiled fish or boneless chicken can be offered as an occasional special treat.

 If you could offer Chunky, or any of the other cats at Cats Protection Cornwall Adoption Centre a new home, then please contact the centre by email or by calling 01872 870575.

Image courtesey of Cats Protection.

 

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.