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iCatCare announces new CEO
Pictured: Nicola Martin, new CEO of International Cat Care.

Veterinary surgeon Nicola Martin will be taking over the role. 

Cat welfare organisation International Cat Care (iCatCare) has announced its new CEO, Nicola Martin.

She will be taking over the role from Claire Bessant, who has been the organisation’s CEO for 28 years. 

Commenting on her new role, Nicola said: “I am thrilled to be appointed CEO of International Cat Care and look forward to working with the trustees, the passionate team and diverse and expert stakeholders to continue to improve the lives of cats worldwide.

“The charity has been close to my heart throughout my veterinary career and the opportunity to lead the next phase of its development is extremely exciting.”

Nicola, a veterinary surgeon who has a vast amount of experience working with charities, is currently chief executive of Canine Partners, and is Chair of Trustees of Assistance Dogs UK. 

As a previous trustee of Animal Welfare Foundation, and head of Pet Health and Welfare at the PDSA, Nicola has helped to develop each organisation she has been involved with, including designing the PDSA’s annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report. 

Nicola added: “Over the last 28 years, Claire and the team have worked tirelessly with all those who share International Cat Care’s vision and have made significant strides forward in so many areas of feline welfare.

“So much has been achieved for cats, but there is still so much to be done and I look forward to taking on the baton and finding new and innovative ways to work with others to make a real difference to the mental and physical wellbeing of cats worldwide.”

 

Image (C) iCatCare

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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.