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Petplan announces 'first-ever' Pet Awards
Many pets have been providing support to thier owners during the lockdown.
Do you know a 'hero pet'?

Insurance provider Petplan has announced its 'first-ever' Pet Awards, which will recognise exceptional pets who enrich the lives of their owners.

Nominations are now open for the following awards: 'Hero Pet of the Year', 'Survivor Pet of the Year', 'Rescue Pet of the Year', 'Companion Pet of the Year' and 'Entertainer Pet of the Year'. The competition is particularly timely, given that many pets have been supporting their owners through lockdown.

The five winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges and will each receive a hamper of goodies worth £400. For more information and to nominate a pet, visit the PetPlan website.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.