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Virtual event planned for those working with unowned cats
Recordings from the event will be made available at a later date in a range of languages.
More than 15 speakers will give talks over two days.

International Cat Care (iCatCare) is set to host a two-day online event for those working and volunteering with unowned cats.

Supported with a grant from Battersea, iCatConnect will take place on 13-14 November.

The free event will look at practical and inclusive ways for those involved with unowned cats to support each other, improve cat welfare, and find solutions to global cat overpopulation.

More than 15 cat welfare experts from around the world will give talks on topics including:
  • Understanding cat behaviour to improve care and wellbeing 
  • Effective ways to help more cats in homing centres, using the principles of Cat Friendly Homing
  • Cat friendly solutions for population management
  • Running successful Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programmes
  • Collaboration with veterinary professionals and other key stakeholders
  • Improving community engagement.
Each of these talks will include Q&A sessions. Recordings and educational resources will be released at a future date and will be translated into Spanish, Portuguese and Greek.

Vicky Halls, head of unowned cats at iCatCare, said: “It’s the event the cats in your care would want you to attend - a complete journey through the bigger picture of cat population management and the care of all unowned cats.

“So, whatever role you play, whether you do TNR, work in a shelter, foster cats, or run your own small cat rescue, you can see where you fit and get to appreciate that we are all part of a huge jigsaw puzzle with the common goal of improving the lives of cats everywhere.”

Simona Zito, Battersea’s grants and programmes manager, said: “At Battersea, we believe collaboration and community are key to helping cats around the world, and we’re proud to be supporting iCatCare’s brilliant new event as part of our Grants programme. We can’t wait to connect with fellow cat welfare champions in November.”

Those interested in attending can book a place on the iCatCare website.

Image © Shutterstock

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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.