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Mental health patients get chance to foster cats
Kate Lines, senior occupational therapist, Sue Arnold and Susan Dicks, volunteers at Northampton Cats Protection, and Josh Ferron, Cats Protection operations manager.
New fostering pen built at hospital in partnership with cat charity.

A new cat fostering pen has been built in the grounds of a mental health hospital, as part of a collaboration with Cats Protection.

As well as providing a place for cats from Cats Protection Northampton Branch to be cared for while they wait to be adopted, the pen will also allow patients at Broomhill Hospital in Spratton, Northamptonshire, to benefit from looking after the animals.

The patients working with the cats are being provided with training and support as part of their occupational therapy. The first cats to stay there, two-year-old Rue and her son Buddy, have already been adopted.

The idea for the fostering pen came after the hospital rehomed a cat called Aurora last year. The patient who cared for Aurora found the experience had a positive impact on her mental health and her confidence increased.

Kate Lines, a senior occupational therapist at the hospital, said: “Cats Protection was open to partnership working, expanding on this initial work with patients as assistant fosterers. Work began to install a Cat Pen to provide a welcoming safe space for cats or kittens while they waited for their new homes.

“The role of supporting a cat in their recovery journey to moving on, mirrors the patient’s own recovery journey.

“This dovetails with our broader use of animal therapy within the setting. And importantly will enable patients who love and miss having animals to be able to interact with them again.”

Josh Ferron, Cats Protection operations manager, added: “This is a unique partnership for Cats Protection, and while getting to this point has involved input from a lot of people, everyone has been so committed to the project. To see it get off the ground is already a rewarding experience for all involved.

“To be part of the rehabilitation journey for patients while also increasing capacity for the branch to bring in and help more cats really is an epic win-win and we look forward to nurturing and building this collaboration.”

Image © Cats Protection

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.