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Search for nation's favourite cats gets underway
Owners are invited to nominate their cats in one of four categories.

The National Cat Awards 2025 celebrates exceptional felines.

The search for the nation's favourite cats is about to get underway, highlighting stories of courage, devotion and companionship that showcase the unique role felines have in our lives.

The National Cat Awards 2025 kickstarts on 15 January, with owners invited to nominate their pets in one of four categories: Family Cats, Incredible Cats, Senior Cats, and Connected Cats. Colleagues or owners can also put forward a vet who has gone above and beyond in providing care for a cat in the 'Vet of the Year' category.

Supported by a host of feline-loving celebrities, this annual celebration, organised by Cats Protection, aims to showcase the UK's most incredible cats - from those providing comfort in tough times to felines with an active role in their communities.

Catherine Cottrell, director of Cats Protection, said: “Cats are one of the nation’s favourite pets, and bring fun, comfort and companionship to millions of people. They live alongside us in all sorts of ways, from the sociable cat who greets all the neighbours to the homely lap-cat on our sofa. There are the super-friendly cats who thrive in the company of busy workplaces, or within their communities, and even those solitary, shy cats who prefer to keep their distance can bring us great joy.

“The National Cat Awards is all about celebrating every cat, and what they bring to our lives. We’re looking forward to sharing some amazing, heart-warming and inspirational stories to showcase the special role cats have in our lives.”

A public vote will decide the winners of each category, while a panel of judges will decide on 'Vet of the Year'. The winners will be announced during a ceremony in London later this year.

Cat of the Year 2025 will be chosen from the four category winners. Last year's winner was Marley, who helps women who have been trafficked, enslaved or exploited in London. 

Image (C) Shutterstock.

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.