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RSPCA staff ‘sleep-in’ for cats
In 2014, the team decided to take part in a sleep-out in the car park.

Six fundraisers aim to raise £1,000 for felines in their care

RSPCA staff hope to raise £1,000 for cats in their care by spending a night in a cattery.

The ‘sleepover with a difference’ takes place at the RSPCA’s Ashford Garden Cattery on the 16th December and will see six volunteers spend a night in the centre’s cat pods.

Cattery assistant and fundraiser organiser, Becky Drake said: “In 2014 five of us decided to take part in a sleep-out in the car park to raise awareness of the huge number of cats living on the streets of England and Wales (pictured).

“This year, we decided we wanted to publicise the work that charities, such as the RSPCA, are doing to help the abandoned and injured cats.”

The challenge beings at 6pm, when each of the volunteers will bed down for the night in one of the branch’s cat pods. Accompanied by the centre's furry residents, the staff will spend a total of 12 hours in their pods, finishing at 6am the following day.

“Although these pods are better for the cats than the cold, challenging and sometimes dangerous conditions they face on the streets, being in a cattery isn’t ideal and our main aim is to help these cats find new, loving homes,” Becky added.

“We have some really friendly cats who absolutely love having company so I think they’ll really enjoy it”

The team are hoping to raise more than £1,000 to help pay for the cats in their care including food, veterinary treatment and general care costs.

To pledge your support, visit RSPCA Ashford Garden Cattery on Facebook, or send a cheque made payable to Ashford Garden Cattery (with ‘sleep-in’ on the reverse) to 34 Station Road, Ashford TN23 1PH.

Image (C) RSPCA

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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.