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Further support for pets in rentals campaign
AdvoCATS co-founder Jennifer Berezai and senior consultant Mia.

PFMA and iCatCare have joined AdvoCATS mission. 

Two major UK organisations - International Cat Care (iCatCare) and the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) - have joined the campaign to make renting with pets easier.

The Heads for Tails! campaign is spearheaded by AdvoCATS, an voluntary organisation set up in 2018 to offer free support and advice to landlords and tenants, and assist pet owners struggling to find rental accommodation. 

Established in 1958, iCatCare is a pioneering cat welfare charity, which also has a veterinary division, is at the forefront of feline care and medicine. PFMA is the leading trade body for the UK pet food industry. 

Dr Sarah Ellis, head of Cat Advocacy at iCatCare, said: “In a world where renting is commonplace and where there are so many pet cats relinquished and/or needing homes, making renting with pets easier is a critical contribution to sustaining positive wellbeing for people and pet cats.”

Backing the call to amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to allow a landlord to either request a financially capped pet deposit, or stipulate pet damage insurance, the organisations are adding their support to a number of endorsements, including the National Residential Landlords Association, National Office for Animal Health, and over 40 MPs and Peers, among many others. 

Deputy chief executive of the PFMA, Nicole Paley, explained why it is backing the campaign: “We are delighted to add our support to the important work of AdvoCATS. 

“Our pets have such a positive impact on our lives from reducing stress and anxiety to providing much valued companionship. It is vital we address how we can support owners renting with pets.”

Jen Berezai, co-founder of AdvoCATS welcomed the support: “To have two such well-respected industry names back our campaign is fantastic. 

“We are in discussion with a number of other organisations which have expressed interest in the campaign and, in fact, have just recruited Proptech-PR and ProtectaPet, all of which strengthens our case for the government to adopt the Heads for Tails! Proposals, which will open up pet ownership for thousands - maybe even hundreds of thousands - of tenants.” 

Image (C) AdvoCATS

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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.