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Exotics centre inundated with reptiles
Around 50 snakes, including corn snakes, boa constrictors and king snakes have been admitted to RSPCA Brighton.
Around 50 snakes admitted to RSPCA Brighton

An RSPCA exotics centre is appealing for potential new owners following an influx of forgotten and abandoned reptiles.

Around 50 snakes, including corn snakes, boa constrictors and king snakes have been admitted to RSPCA Brighton.

Staff say that summer is always a busy time for them with reptiles, especially the more commonly-kept species, like corn snakes.  However, this year they have been inundated.

“We have so many beautiful snakes looking for new owners, through no fault of their own, and we would love to see them find their forever homes with caring and responsible owners who know how to care for them properly,” explained RSPCA exotics senior scientific officer Nicola White.
 
“Some were neglected, many were abandoned, and others were signed over to us simply because their previous owners no longer wanted them.”
 
She added: "Reptiles are specialist animals so it is very important that owners research the needs of the particular species thoroughly and make sure they can provide what they need for the entirety of their lives.

“Not everyone has the facilities, time, commitment and understanding needed to look after them properly so we’d ask people to think very carefully before taking them on.”

Anyone who is looking to re-home a snake from the RSPCA should contact the Brighton branch on http://www.rspcareptilerescue.co.uk/

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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.