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Battersea admits heaviest cat on record
titan
Titan weighs a colossal 10kg - more than double his recommended weight.
A recent rise in the number of overweight cats being admitted is a cause for concern 

Battersea has recently taken on its heaviest cat on record, marking a current peak in morbidly obese felines being admitted. 
 
Housing an average of 250 cats across its three centres at any one time, Battersea is accustomed to a variety of shapes and sizes. However staff were surprised when nine-year-old black feline Titan came in, weighing over double the recommended weight for a domestic short-haired cat of his size.
 
SuiLi Weight, the team leader of Battersea’s Cattery said: “Titan has definitely been living up to his name in the past and enjoying the fat-cat lifestyle, but his new found title is not one to be proud of.
 
"We have been putting Titan through Battersea boot camp to help him shed a few pounds, including a special diet and encouraging him to exercise through lots of playtime…
 
"His hefty weight, though comical to some, is a real health problem and may put off potential owners who will have to work to help continue his weight loss.”
 
Battersea has taken in 16 cats in the overweight category over the past year.  The quality of life for these cats is poor, as they struggle to move and play as a normal cat would. Battersea staff hope that this recent spate is not indicative of a growing trend for fat felines in the future.
 
SuiLi added: “It is understandable that people like to spoil their pets every once in a while, but we are not talking about the odd treat or two. Overweight cats like Titan...are obese due to over-feeding and under-exercising from owners who may not be aware they are doing anything wrong.”
 
Those with concerns about their cat are advised to seek veterianary advice to check its size and to discuss its recommended healthy weight. 
 
Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
 

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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.