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Feline star of BBC animation to help educate children
The new club aims to educate young children about cats.
Cats Protection’s new children’s club features Tabby McTat.

Animal welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a new club to teach young children about cats, with the help of an animated television star.

Little Paws Club will educate children aged five to seven years old through a monthly mini-magazine. The first issue has been sent out this month and
includes short articles, puzzles, and activities.

Tabby McTat, a picturebook character and one of the stars of this year's Christmas television, will be appearing in the magazine to share cat facts with young readers. There will also be three Tabby McTat special mini-magazines in 2024.

The December issue featured an interview with Julia Donaldson, who co-created Tabby McTat with Axel Scheffler. Their book has been adapted into a new animation, narrated by Jodie Whittaker, which will be broadcast on BBC One.

A Christmas single from the animation, performed by Rob Brydon and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, has also been released. Proceeds from the song will be donated to Cats Protection.

Kay MacNaughton, individual giving officer for Cats Protection, said: “Little Paws Club is a fun way for children to learn all about our feline friends, just like Tabby.

“As well as inspiring the next generation of cat lovers, Little Paws Club membership will help Cats Protection to provide brighter futures for many unfortunate cats and kittens, who unlike Tabby, don’t yet have an owner to love them.”

Image © Cats Protection

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.