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Alfie phone home
Alfie with owner Luke
Alfie with his owner Luke Price (left) and Luke's brother.

Missing moggie found in phone box

Lost cat Alfie was found trapped in a London telephone box, but unlike E.T, had no chance of phoning home.

Fortunately, the silver tabby has since been reunited with his owner after a member of the public took him to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in south London.

Alfie had been missing for 10 weeks and had wandered five miles from his home in Forest Hill. A routine microchip scan allowed the charity to trace his owner Luke Price.

Luke says he had tried desperately to find Alfie and was amazed to be reunited with him. "We couldn’t be happier to have him back in our life and hope he stays a bit closer to home this time! We thank everyone at Battersea for looking after him and contacting us – it was such a relief.

"I’m so glad we had him microchipped, we might never have seen him again if we hadn’t."

Lindsay Quinlan, head of Battersea's cattery, said only 15 per cent of the cats that come through their doors are microchipped, making it very difficult to reunite them with their owners
.

Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

 




 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.