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Cat welfare declaration reaches 21,000 signatures
MEP Alex Mayer (centre) showing her support for the Declaration and for improving feline welfare through changes to EU policy.

Document calls for collaborative approach to improve feline wellbeing

A best-practice document which calls for a cooperative and coordinated approach to cat welfare has received a huge amount of support from vets, charities and government officials across the world.

The ‘International Declaration of Responsibilities to Cats’ was launched by International Cat Care in January to mark the organisation’s 60th anniversary. The document provides a framework for all those responsible for cat welfare and facilitates a cohesive approach between them.

Since its launch, the Declaration has gathered more than 21,000 signatures from people in 108 countries. They include the Portuguese animal welfare organisation, Animais de Rya, British MEP Alex Mayer and the EU Dog & Cat Alliance.

“This shows how many people care about cats, want their welfare to be improved and believe in a collaborative approach to achieve this,” said an International Cat Care spokesperson.

To enable individuals and organisations across the world to utilise the Declaration, it has now been translated into five languages - French, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish - with many more to follow.

In March, representatives from International Cat Care went to meet MEP Alex Mayer at the European Parliament and to talk about ways to protect cats - both stray and owned - within EU policy. The charity described the meeting as ‘a successful start’ and continues to move forward, bringing together all entities responsible for cat health and wellbeing.

To read and add your support to the Declaration, visit icatcare.org/declaration

Image (C) ICatCare

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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

Click here for more...
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.