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Pet Blood Bank UK comments on 'dog vampire' reports
"All our wonderful donors live in the UK, and we work closely with their owners to ensure they enjoy the experience of coming to give blood" - PBB UK.

“We pride ourselves on ensuring the welfare of our donors is at the forefront of what we do” - PBB UK.

UK charity Pet Blood Bank UK has responded to an article published in The Telegraph on Saturday (2 July) about a man believed to have killed hundreds of cats and dogs by draining them of their blood to sell to vets across Europe.

Luis Miguel VF, dubbed by reporters as the 'dog vampire', was arrested after Civil Guard Officials shut down his illegal veterinary transfusion business. Officials believe that at least 500 animals died at Mr Miguel's operation in Humanes de Madrid, Spain, which he had been running for almost 20 years. 

In a statement released to reassure users about its work, Katrina Wilkinson, managing director at Pet Blood Bank UK, said: "We were horrified and saddened to read the media coverage coming from Spain on the devastating situation for dog and cat donors there.

"At Pet Blood Bank UK, we pride ourselves on ensuring the welfare of our donors is at the forefront of what we do. All our wonderful donors live in the UK, and we work closely with their owners to ensure they enjoy the experience of coming to give blood to help save the lives of other pets.

"Looking after our donors and maintaining a high standard of animal welfare is at the heart of and intrinsic to what we do.We would like to reassure our veterinary customers that all Pet Blood Bank UK blood products are produced by us and from UK donors.’

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.