Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Cat walks 190 miles home
Safe return for cat after two months on the run

A cat that went missing on holiday made its way 190 miles, back to within a mile of its home in Florida, USA.

Four-year-old Holly escaped her owners, Jacob and Bonnie Richter, during a road trip to Daytona International Speedway, after being scared by fireworks.

The couple immediately alerted rescue agencies, put up flyers and spent days searching for Holly, only to return home without their beloved cat.

It was two months later when Palm Beach resident Barb Mazzola spotted an exhausted looking cat in her garden - a mile away from the Richter's home.

"She was so skinny, so so thin, all bones and weak - and she could hardly walk," said Ms Mazzola. "She was pitiful. She just stood there, ready to collapse."

After rushing to feed the cat she had named Cosette, Ms Mazolla spent the next week trying to coax her into a carrier to take to a vet.

When she was finally successful, Cosette was scanned for a microchip, which happened to match with the Richter's missing cat Holly.

The Ritcher's said they couldn't believe the news; Holly had travelled about 190 miles in 62 days.

Mrs Richter explained that when her husband opened the cage, Holly climbed out and went straight into his arms for a cuddle.

"It was quite a journey for this little girl," he said. "We just can't believe she came home."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.