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Cats Protection appoints new Chair of Trustees
"By harnessing the talent among our volunteers and staff, we hope to help more cats and the people that love them" - Dr Kit Sturgess.

Dr Kit Sturgess 'honoured' to have the role.

Cats Protection has appointed Dr Kit Sturgess, specialist in small animal internal medicine, as its new Chair of Trustees.

Dr Sturgess has taken over the role from Dr Angela Swarbrick, Interim Chair since February 2020.

A Cats Protection trustee since 2018, Dr Sturgess is also the editor-in-chief of the open access journal Veterinary Evidence, which publishes studies and information on evidence-based veterinary evidence.

Taking over the role with a wealth of experience in leadership, Dr Sturgess has also been Chair of Trustees for the Wildheart Trust and treasurer for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). 

Interim chief executive of the charity, Dominic Sullivan, commented on the appointment: “I am looking forward to working with Kit as he takes up his new role. 

“His extensive knowledge of small animal medicine combined with his leadership skills and love of cats make him a real asset to Cats Protection as we continue to make a positive difference to the nation’s cats in the years ahead.”

Dr Sturgess graduated from Cambridge University in 1986, and has since gained several further professional qualifications in imaging, cardiology and internal medicine, including a PhD awarded for his research on the effects of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) on mucosal immune function.

Awarded an RCVS Fellowship in 2016 for Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice, Dr Sturgess is an active clinician, splitting his time between veterinary clinics and in charity roles, writing, teaching and examining. 

Discussing his new role, Dr Sturgess said:“I am very honoured to become Cats Protection’s new Chair of Trustees, especially at a time when the charity is delivering an ambitious strategy to have a huge impact on the health, welfare and well-being of the UK’s cats.

“By harnessing the talent among our volunteers and staff, we hope to help more cats and the people that love them.”

 

Image (C) Cats Protection

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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

Click here for more...
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.