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Family find fox asleep on top of microwave
 
The fox had crawled in through the cat flap to get to the kitchen.
RSPCA tend to fox in family kitchen

A family in Mitcham called the RSPCA after finding a fox asleep on top of their microwave.

Kim Fryer explains how, while at home on 15 December, her daughter found the fox at approximately 7 a.m. and called to her mother for help:

“I came down and spotted this little fox curled up on top of the microwave!

“I have five cats and a dog so obviously I have a cat flap. He must have crawled under the gate and through the cat flap.

“A couple of my plants were smashed and there was mud everywhere.

“She put the light on and one eye opened but he didn’t move. We could tell there was something wrong with him.”

Having called the RSPCA, inspector Phil Norman transported the fox to the RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital in London.

Upon initial presentation, the fox appeared lethargic and very weak, but soon brightened up and no abnormalities were found.  

A hospital spokesperson stated: “He had got in through the cat flap and found a nice warm spot to sleep in. He was quite happy to be brought into the hospital for a health check but was understandably not keen on being in a cage.

“Fortunately, he was quite healthy with a beautiful fluffy coat, so after a thorough check over, he was released back to the area he was found in by one of the hospital staff. Good luck Mr. Fox!”

Image © RSPCA

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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.