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Huge rise in rehoming figures for Battersea
Tulip finally found a loving home after three months at Battersea.

Support for rescue pets amid unprecedented times

Battersea has reported that more than 150 dogs and cats from their rehoming centres found new homes last week, despite the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Battersea called the news ‘a small ray of hope’ as 86 dogs and 69 cats were taken into new homes from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 March. The charity confirmed that is more than double the figures for the same week in 2019.

Rob Young, head of operations at Battersea, said: “We want to thank all these new owners for thinking of rescue pets at such a challenging time.

“All three of our Battersea centres are now closed to the public, but many of our animals are now in loving homes or out on temporary foster with our staff and volunteers. Battersea are still caring for around 100 animals at our three centres and working hard to ensure each and every dog and cat continues to get the treatment, care, love, play and interaction they need.”

Smudge, a 10-year-old black and white domestic short-hair cat, was just one of the animals who left Battersea last week, after spending two weeks in the charity’s care.

Another animal that found a suitable home was a four-year-old mongrel named Tulip, who came into Battersea as a stray more than three months ago. She was very anxious upon her arrival, but the teams helped her to gain confidence and she was finally adopted by a loving family last week.

Image (c) 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.