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

UK's first 'transportable' rehoming centre set to open
kittens
Should demand change, the rehoming centre's internal structure can be relocated to another urban area. (file photo)
Innovative centre will allow cat charity to adapt to demand

Cats Protection is taking an innovative approach to rehoming with the UK's first 'transportable' rehoming centre, which will allow the charity to respond to changing demands and target the areas most in need of help.

The first of these flexible rehoming centres is due to open in Mitcham, south-west London and the model will be rolled out to other locations in the next five years.

"We did comprehensive research to determine where demand for a centre is at its highest and Mitcham, along with neighbouring areas, fits the bill," explained Guy Chadwick, development manager for the charity's eastern England centres.

Should demand in the area drop at a later date, the centre's internal structure can be relocated to another area.

“We want to make sure as many urban cats as possible can find new, loving homes and have adapted our building programme accordingly," Mr Chadwick added.

"London is diverse and ever-evolving and our aim is to react to change and go to areas where our help is needed the most - and do this as efficiently as we can."

As well as allowing the charity to adapt to demand, the innovative project has saved hundreds of thousands of pounds, costing just a fifth of the price of building a regular rehoming centre.

It is formed of a series of modular units that will house modern, spacious pens. The units are being built off-site and will be transported and slotted in to the 7,500 square foot site in Mitcham this summer.

Due to open to the public in July, the centre hopes to rehome 50 cats a month.

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

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.