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Feline star of BBC animation to help educate children
The new club aims to educate young children about cats.
Cats Protection’s new children’s club features Tabby McTat.

Animal welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a new club to teach young children about cats, with the help of an animated television star.

Little Paws Club will educate children aged five to seven years old through a monthly mini-magazine. The first issue has been sent out this month and includes short articles, puzzles, and activities.

Tabby McTat, a picturebook character and one of the stars of this year's Christmas television, will be appearing in the magazine to share cat facts with young readers. There will also be three Tabby McTat special mini-magazines in 2024.

The December issue featured an interview with Julia Donaldson, who co-created Tabby McTat with Axel Scheffler. Their book has been adapted into a new animation, narrated by Jodie Whittaker, which will be broadcast on BBC One.

A Christmas single from the animation, performed by Rob Brydon and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, has also been released. Proceeds from the song will be donated to Cats Protection.

Kay MacNaughton, individual giving officer for Cats Protection, said: “Little Paws Club is a fun way for children to learn all about our feline friends, just like Tabby.

“As well as inspiring the next generation of cat lovers, Little Paws Club membership will help Cats Protection to provide brighter futures for many unfortunate cats and kittens, who unlike Tabby, don’t yet have an owner to love them.”

Image © Cats Protection

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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.