Cats Protection has revealed a major new campaign to encourage more landlords to allow tenants to keep cats, and to have more responsible pet policies. Such policies could include a restriction on how many cats can be owned per household and a requirement for cats to be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

A consultation by the charity last year revealed 75 per cent of its branches and centres frequently take in cats as a result of their owners struggling with their home's pet policy. The Purrfect Landlords campaign was announced after the Labour Party released its animal welfare plan, which includes proposals to consult landlords on giving tenants the right to keep a pet.

A new DNA testing scheme has been approved for hereditary cerebellar ataxia (HCA) in Norwegian buhunds. The disease is progressive and can affect puppies as young as 12 weeks old, causing head tremors and uncoordinated movements. There is currently no effective cure. The new test follows an announcement at the end of last year, that geneticists at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) had discovered the causative mutation for HCA in the breed. (Image by sannse/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The PDSA are calling on vets, vet nurses and students to have their say on the issues affecting the health and welfare of the nation's pets.

The 2018 PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report aims to build on previous research and gain an even greater insight across the veterinary profession.

To take part in the survey visit: https://g4-emea.yougov.com/vy4rHn7YJlKxpF

Children are being invited to step into the role of a zoo vet at London Zoo next month, as part of an award-winning role play experience. Vets in Action will take place from 10-18 February, when young aspiring vets will take part in interactive family events at the zoo's animal hospital. On the first day they will be prepped with hairnets and masks before joining the veterinary team at a specially recreated vet centre. The children will help to examine, x-ray and carry out treatments on toys. For more information, visit www.zsl.org

Image (c) ZSL London Zoo

Cats Protection has received donations of more than 3,600 from the sales of limited edition cat prints. Comedian Bob Mortimer inspired, personalised and signed the prints, which feature made up cat names. Proving extremely popular, many sold out within minutes of going on sale and a portion of each sale has been donated to the charity, reaching 3,211 in total. In addition, a one-of-a-kind print was donated and sold for 412.

BVNA president Wendy Nevins has named The Giraffe Conservation Foundation as the association's charity of the year for 2017/2018.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation dedicates its work to a sustainable future for wild giraffe populations. Wendy Nevins said: 'I have chosen the Giraffe Conservation Foundation for the BVNA Charity of the Year because I have always thought Giraffes were magnificent animals.

'I also think it is important that we look at the wider issue of conservation and education across all species.'