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New obesity insights to be shared at BVNA Congress
"Nurses play a key role here in providing ongoing owner support." - Dr Libby Sheridan.
The research will be delivered by the Purina Institute and authors. 

New research into obesity management will be delivered by the Purina Institute at the BVNA Congress.

The session will be delivered together with research authors, and will explore the role of behavioural science in achieving pet weight management, with speakers sharing their insight into how nurses can use the findings to support pet owners with weight management.

Behavioural psychologist Dr Thomas Webb and Purina corporate affairs manager Hugues du Plessis will speak on a new research project that advances understanding of how owners beliefs and behaviours are associated with canine obesity. 

Attendees will learn how psychology has the potential to aid in understanding owner beliefs and motivations, and how behavioural science can be used to assist pet owners in changing their actions. 

Dr Libby Sheridan, Purina scientific affairs manager, will host the symposium. She commented on the usefulness of these insights for veterinary nurses: “Veterinary teams know that successful obesity management depends upon owners changing their habits and routines, but this can be very challenging to achieve.

“Nurses play a key role here in providing ongoing owner support. At Purina we’re delighted to share our latest research to help nurses learn how to do this most effectively.”

Consisting of three twenty minute talks, each followed by a ten minute Q&A session, the symposium will last for 90 minutes, beginning at 11am on Saturday 2 October.

Pre-registration is not necessary for the Purina Institute symposium, but all attendees must have a ticket for the BVNA Congress. 

Those interested in attending can sign up for the BVNA Congress here

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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.