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Black cats make up nearly half of Battersea cats
Black cats make up nearly 43 per cent of all feline admissions.

Charity attempts to dispel myths ahead of National Black Cat Day 

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home takes in nearly twice as many black cats as any other colour, the charity has revealed.

Black cats make up nearly 43 per cent of all feline admissions, compared to other colours - such as ginger, that accounted for just seven per cent of cats at Battersea last year.

The charity believes black cats are less popular because they don’t look as good in photos and they are traditionally thought to be bad luck.

Battersea is using National Black Cat Day (27 October) to celebrate these oft-overlooked pets and dispel some of the myths associated with them.

Black cats currently waiting for a new home include 12-year-old Tiger-Lily, who has been at Battersea for 48 days, more than twice the average length of stay. Meanwhile, lap cat Terry has been at the Old Windsor cattery for 52 days.

Head of catteries Rob Young said: “Some people believe that black cats all look the same or that they do not look as good in photographs and will therefore overlook them in favour of a Tabby or Tortoiseshell.

"All cats deserve a second chance and we hope that anyone planning to adopt will consider changing a black cat’s luck and give it a loving home.”

Image © Battersea

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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.