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Cat breaks record with world’s loudest purr
Bella's astonishing vocals often meant her family had to turn the TV up to hear over her.
Bella’s purr reached 54.6 decibels.

A fourteen-year-old cat has broken a Guinness World Record, by performing the world’s loudest purr.

Bella, a moggie from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, recorded a purr of 54.6 decibels, which is as loud as a boiling kettle.

Her owner, Nicole Spink, always knew that Bella’s purr was very loud. Her astonishing vocals often meant her family had to turn the TV up to hear over her, and a recording on Nicole’s phone suggested that she may be a record-breaking kitty.

However, it required a Guinness World Record adjudicator’s assessment to discover if Bella could be awarded the prestigious title.

Official adjudicator Dave Wilson arrived at Bella’s house, along with an acoustic engineer, to settle whether her purrings were pitch perfect. The team blocked out all external sound, set up the recording equipment, and waited patiently beside Bella’s favourite cushion for her performance.

During her record attempt Bella performed purr-fectly, recording an astonishing 54.6 db on the decibel meter.

In a low-key ceremony, she was awarded with an official certificate for the world’s loudest purr by a domestic cat (living), and a place in the feline history books.

Speaking proudly of Bella’s prominent purring, Nicole said: “We’ve always known Bella had a really loud purr – we even have to turn up the volume to hear the TV over her purring – and that’s always after mealtimes.

“So, when we saw that the record for the World’s Loudest Purr was up for grabs, we knew we had to put Bella forward, and we’re so pleased we did!

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that Bella has broken the world record. She has been our family’s companion for many years - we love her to bits and are so proud of her achievement.”

Official adjudicator Dave Wilson said: “It’s always an exciting day when there is the potential for a new world record so we waited in anticipation to see whether Bella would be able to do it. We set up the recording devices and Bella then settled down on her favourite cushion and began to purr.

“The results were immediately obvious – Bella had broken the record for world’s loudest purr!”

Image © Guinness World Records/Whiskas

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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.