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Experts to discuss how pets benefit children
"More and more research is emerging to support the idea that children benefit physically, emotionally and socially from regular contact with companion animals" - Dr Elizabeth Ormerod.
SCAS Conference will share the latest knowledge on Animal-Assisted Interventions.

The role of pets on child development - in particular the impact on mental health and wellbeing - is set to go under the spotlight at the 2021 Society for Companion Animals (SCAS) conference.

Taking place virtually in September, the conference will bring together leading companion animal experts from across the UK to share the latest knowledge on Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI). 

Joanne Williams, Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, Matthew Robinson from Pets as Therapy, and Lesley Wonton from Fostering Compassion will present the latest research exploring AAI on child-animal interactions. 

Their presentations will explore the impact that living with companion animals has on child development; the response and outcomes in trials of the Pets As Therapy Read2Dogs service; and the links between animal abuse, child abuse and interpersonal violence.

"More and more research is emerging to support the idea that children benefit physically, emotionally and socially from regular contact with companion animals,” commented SCAS chair, Dr Elizabeth Ormerod. "Contact with companion animals has been shown to be important in several areas of child development and health - for example, in promoting self-esteem and encouraging the development of humane attitudes, such as empathy and nurturing.”

‘Pets and Children' is the first of three different sessions at the 2021 SCAS Virtual Conference. Following sessions include the impact of companion animals in the lives of older people and those with mental health problems. 

Each session will include a research-based presentation and two presentations from organisations working with the client group. Conference attendees will be able to ask questions of the experts throughout the day.

“The SCAS 2021 Virtual Conference is a key platform for attendees and participants alike to hear and share knowledge and experiences as well as learn from the latest research from international experts,” Dr Ormerod added.

More information and details about how to register are available on the SCAS website.

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Free event for the global unowned cat community

News Story 1
 International Cat Care (ICatCare) has announced a free, virtual event dedicated to caring for unowned cats to explore new ideas and ways of working.

iCatConnect 2025 takes place on Wednesday, 12 November, and is open to everyone working and volunteering with unowned cats. It will include a line-up of 12 international cat welfare experts, who will consider the bigger picture of unowned cats and explore practical, effective, and inclusive solutions.

Following the session, attendees can put their questions to the experts and share their views. They will also hear frontline challenges and real-world case studies shared by contributors working in shelters, TNR, community cat programmes, and veterinary teams from around the world. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.