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Couples turn to cats
Cats are replacing children, a survey suggests

As modern couples are beginning to wait until later on in life to have children, it appears that cats are taking the place of babies in their owners' lives.

A survey carried out to celebrate the launch of new website, Cats vs Dogs, found that four in 10 cat owners treat their new feline friend like a baby.

Our affection doesn't stop there, however, as 74 per cent of those to take part in the survey admitted to trusting their cat more than their partner, best friend or family.

One in five owners said they would genuinely give their cat the kiss of life if necessary and 34 per cent even felt they had a "psychic connection" with their cat.

It appears that such devotion from the nation's cat owners could be leading to disgruntled partners, with a third of people saying their partner is jealous of their relationship with their cat.

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.