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Dog finds missing cat in mine shaft
RSPCA animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow helped rescue Mowgli.
Daisy helped direct rescuers to missing Mowgli.

A missing cat has been found thanks to the intervention of the owner’s springer spaniel.

Michele Rose, who lives in Harrowbarrow, Cornwall, had been searching for her missing cat Mowgli for several days with no success.

During this time, her dog Daisy regularly ran in and out of the woods near their home. Eventually, Ms Rose followed Daisy to an old mine shaft. Mowgli was meowing at the bottom of the 30-metre shaft.

The RSPCA was called and animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow attended late in the afternoon.

Mr Findlow said: “The owner had been missing the cat for four days and was constantly brought to the location by her dog, as it sniffed the cat out!”

On his first visit, it was decided that there weren’t enough hours of daylight left to attempt a rescue.

Mr Findlow returned the following morning with two teams from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, including rope specialists. The missing cat was safely brought up, where he was greeted by Baloo, another of the family’s cats.

Mowgli was taken to a local veterinary practice. Despite the long drop, he had no injuries, although he had lost 2kg during his time at the bottom of the shaft.

Images © RSPCA

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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.