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International Cat Day 2020 details released
"The secret to a Happy Cat is understadning eash cat's needs."
Veterinary professionals and specialists will explore 'what makes a happy cat?' 

International Cat Day is just around the corner, and this year the custodianship has been passed to the not-for-profit organisation, International Cat Care (iCatCare).

The day takes place on August 8 and will see charities, veterinary professionals, volunteers and specialists share their knowledge with cat lovers across the globe.

This year's theme is 'Making Happy Cats', and organisers are calling on cat aficionados to get involved with the #HappyCat movement.

Experts will discuss a range of topics on the day, including behaviour, health, mental wellbeing, COVID-19 and unowned cats. The programme also includes a talk by cat behaviour expert Dr Sarah Ellis on ‘Are you and your home cat friendly?' while Sam Taylor, veterinary specialist, will run through how to ‘Be a detective for your cat’s health’.

In a statement, iCatCare said: 'The secret to a Happy Cat is understanding each cat’s needs, both as an individual and a species. While some are ideally suited to living as pets, half the world’s cat population are not and these 300 million unowned cats lead a range of lifestyles, including those who will never accept human contact, no matter how much love and attention we might give them.

'And somewhere between the domestic and the feral is the growing phenomenon of the so-called ‘Inbetweener’ whose needs are currently the least understood.'

Further information about the day, together with the full programme of events, can be found here.

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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.