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Siamese cat survives eight-day voyage… in the post
Unknowingly, the owners sealed the box (plus cat) and sent it on its cross country voyage.

Cupcake's plight highlights importance of microchipping

An eight-year-old Siamese cat, Cupcake, has managed to survive an eight-day stint in the post, inside a box filled with old DVD’s and CD’s.

Cupcake’s owners had been preparing boxes to post from Falmouth to a company in Goring-by-Sea, when the unsuspecting passenger jumped in and curled up.

Unknowingly, the owners sealed the box (plus cat) and sent it on its cross country voyage. It was only when the parcel was received at the other end that the cat was discovered and the RSPCA was called.

RSPCA inspector Julie Parsons commented: "Poor Cupcake was very lucky to survive. When I arrived she was very weak and fragile. She had been trapped in the box for around eight days and was in a dehydrated and very hungry state.

“Luckily, she made a quick recovery and had been microchipped so I was able to scan her and track her owners down.”

Cupcake’s plight highlights the importance of ensuring pets are microchipped, as without a microchip, Cupcake would most likely never have been reunited with her owners.

From the 6 April 2016, it will be compulsory for all dogs in the UK to be microchipped. Speak to your local veterinary practice for more information.

 

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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.