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Entries open for Pet Comedy Photo Awards 2020

Competition to raise funds for abandoned or unwanted pets.

Bubble surprise.

If you're stuck (safe!) at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, now's your chance to get creative. Mars Petcare has launched its Pet Comedy Photo Awards 2020 in celebration of the nation's pets. Here are just some of the brilliant entries submitted to last year's competition, which we hope will help make your day a little bit brighter.


Cat selfie.

The competition is raising money for UK pet charity Blue Cross to assist them in their mission of finding happy homes for abandoned or unwanted pets. Professionals and complete amateurs are encouraged to pick up a camera and capture those hilarious moments with their pets.

From the masterminds behind the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, the competition calls on pet owners to use their camera or camera phone to take snaps of their furry (or not so furry!) friends. The winner will receive £3,000 and be crowned the 'Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year'.

Life's a beach.

As well as bringing some smiles during this difficult time, the partnership aims to highlight the incredible joy that pets can bring to people's lives, especially during  hardship. It also aims to raise much-needed funds for sick, injured, abandoned, or homeless pets by donating 10 per cent of the sponsorship fee and 10 per cent of the £5,00 entry fee to Blue Cross.

“This is an absolutely fantastic partnership, and we are thrilled to be working with Mars Petcare and their wider family of pet-loving supporters,” said Tim Sullam, Pet Photo Awards.

“In these gloomy times that we have all been living through, it is important to keep our spirits up and maintain a positive outlook. We know from Comedy Wildlife Awards that animals are a great source of humour,  we can't wait to see your hilarious pet images.”

Mars Petcare UK general manager Helen Warren, added: “The nation will appreciate now more than ever, the benefits of having a pet in the home and this competition gives us all an official reason to share just how amazing they are. We're delighted the partnership is raising funds for Blue Cross as well as raising much-needed awareness for homeless pets in the UK.”

The closing date for entries is 31 August 2020. For more information about the various categories and to enter, visit www.comedypetphoto.com

 

Best friends.

 

Images (C) Mars Petcare.


 

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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.