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Blind dog guided around by cat
Unlikely best friends are pawfect companions

Before stray cat Pwditat was allowed into his home, eight-year-old Terfel would mostly spend his days curled up in his dog basket. His vision deteriorated after being diagnosed with cataracts, and is now only able to tell light from dark.

However, Terfel's situation changed when his owner, Judy Godfrey-Brown, decided to let a stray cat, which she'd seen lingering outside, into her home.

"Pwditat immediately seemed to know that Terfel is blind," said Ms Godfrey-Brown. "I've never seen anything like it."

She explained how, before Pwditat's arrival, Terfel would bump into things around the house, but now he has his very own guide cat. When they first met, Pwditat led Terfel straight out of his basket and into the garden and she has been helping him find his way around ever since.

"It's a great help when Pwditat's around to show him about," added Ms Godfrey-Brown, who said Pwditat uses her paws to help guide him.

The pair have since become best of friends and now even sleep together.

"She's very, very affectionate around Terfel and Terfel's obviously enjoying the companionship of Pwditat too. Lots of dogs and cats actually do get on well together, but these get on particularly well."

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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
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.