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Lost canary nicknamed after Boris Johnson
The little bird’s fluffy blonde head reminded RSPCA staff of the new Prime Minister.
RSPCA seeking owner of bird that resembles new PM 

A lost pet canary has been nicknamed Boris because of his bouffant hairstyle, which reminded RSPCA staff of the new Prime Minister.

Boris the yellow canary was found flying loose with a budgie in a park near Farm Lane, Plymouth. A member of the public spotted the pair and knew they must be lost pets as they both had rings on their legs.

RSPCA animal collection officer Megan Higgins said: “She managed to catch the birds and took them home before calling us in.

“The budgie’s owner was quickly tracked down and reunited with their missing pet but, unfortunately, we’ve not been able to trace this sweet little canary’s owner.”

The little bird’s fluffy blonde head reminded staff at the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Centre, Exeter, of the new PM, Boris Johnson.

They are hoping to trace the bird’s owners so he can be reunited with them.

Megan added: “Boris is such a friendly little bird and we’d love to reunite him with his owners who must be worried sick about him. If anyone recognises him or believe he may be theirs then please get in touch with our Little Valley Animal Centre or call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

The charity is urging all pet owners to ensure their animals are microchipped or have suitable identification, such as leg rings, and are registered to a database so they can be quickly reunited with their owners if they go missing.

Canary 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.