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Law change benefits endangered animals
red squirrel
Establishing what is normal for a species helps to build a picture of the best ways to care for and conserve others of the same type.
Jersey vets able to take blood samples to aid conservation efforts

Vets in Jersey will soon be able to perform minor procedures to provide key information about rare and endangered animals.

It has been announced that the island's animal welfare laws will be updated, bringing them in line with modern practices. Currently, for example, vets are only allowed to take blood samples for the purpose of diagnosis or monitoring.

Under the law as it stands, conservation organisations are not allowed to take blood samples to determine what would be 'normal' for an animal of a particular weight, age and species.

Steve Luce, planning and environmental minister, recently agreed to change the Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law to allow this necessary conservation work to be carried out. Establishing what is normal for a species can help conservationists to build up a picture of the best ways to care for and conserve others of the same type. This is particularly true of rare animals.

Organisations working with rare or endangered species can apply for permission to carry out minor procedures that will benefit conservation, helping the future management and survival of a species.

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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.