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Britain's most playful pets revealed
Bubb and CHing
Bubb and Ching from Cornwall have been dubbed the nation's most playful pets.
Winners prove playtime is key for happy, healthy animals
 
Two Hungarian vizsla dogs from Cornwall have been named Britain's most playful pets by the National Office of Animal Health.

The winners were picked from over 430 entries by a panel of judges which included the Mayhew Animal Home and Dr Samantha Gaines, Head of Companion Animals Department (CAD), RSPCA.

It was Bubb and Ching's love of walking and searching for their favourite toys that won the hearts of the judges, helping to prove that
playtime is essential for happy, healthy pets.

Bubb and Ching’s proud owner Rose comments: “Bubb and Ching absolutely love to be out in the fresh Cornish air. If we’re not going for a long walk, we’ll be swimming in the sea or playing hide-and-seek with their favourite toys.

"I feel that it’s really important that Bubb and Ching are stimulated both in mind and body, so when it’s a lousy day weather-wise we’ll hide their favourite toys in the house for them to find. They really love this game and because they are having to use their brains, it really challenges them and tires them out.

"They are incredibly active and their energy is a great positive influence. I am thrilled that we can help to educate others about the importance of play for pets’ wellbeing.”

Head of CAD, RSPCA, Dr Samantha Gaines adds: "We chose Bubb and Ching because they look like they are having a great time together in their photo. Their owners are providing regular exercise and activities which allows them to perform natural behaviours and this is an important part of making sure dogs live an enjoyable and healthy life."

The competition ran as part of NOAH’s Happy, Healthy Pets Project – an online gallery aiming to build the UK’s largest ever picture of pet health.

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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.