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More pedigree cats in rescue centres, RSPCA says
The animal welfare charity believes that this change in figures could be a result of their popularity in social media, film, TV and advertising.
The number of ‘designer’ and ‘purebred’ cats has soared since 2018.

RSPCA has released figures revealing that the number of pedigree cats in their rescue centres has soared in the past six years.

The most common pedigree cat in RSPCA care was the Persian cat, which has seen a 92 per cent increase since 2018. This was followed by the ragdoll, which had a 61 per cent increase.

They have also reported a 22 per cent increase in Bengal cats, as well as a 300 per cent increase in Maine Coons in the past six years.

RSPCA says that many of these ‘designer’ cat breeds entering the rescue centre have exaggerated physical features, which often cause the cats pain and suffering. It can also make them vulnerable to particular disorders.

For example, Persian cats bred to have flat faces often suffer from brachycephaly, meaning they struggle to breathe, sleep or give birth.

The animal welfare charity believes that this change in figures could be a result of their popularity in social media, film, TV and advertising.

The statistics come after the RSPCA, among other charities, wrote to Universal Studios to criticise its use of a Scottish fold cat in its latest film, Argylle. Scottish fold cats are associated with a genetic disorder which causes them severe and painful lameness, resulting from arthritis that can develop at a young age.

Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “We strongly believe that all those who breed cats should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring.

“We know owners want their pets to be happy and healthy, and people may not realise that cats bred with exaggerated features can struggle with extremely serious health problems. We would like to see breeders doing more to ensure they are producing kittens who are happy and healthy.

“We encourage anyone wanting to add a cat to their family to visit one of our centres and rescue a cat in need of a loving home instead.”

Image © Shutterstock

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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.