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The secret life of cats
Broadcast of live study reveals insight

Ever thought about what your cat might be getting up to when it leaves home for the day?

Well, wonder no more. A brand new "live study" is to hit our screens, allowing us to find out their every movement beyond the cat-flap.

At 9pm on Thursday 13 June, BBC2 will air The Secret Life of Cats as part of its scientific Horizon series.

During the programme, academics from the University of Lincoln will share their study, which features 50 cats from a village in Surrey being put under 24-hour surveillance.

The cats, which were fitted with GPS collars and cat-cams, were recorded as they hunted, patrolled and frolicked in the outdoors.

Dr Sarah Ellis, one of the study's leaders from Lincoln's School of Life Sciences, said: "We collected a huge amount of data simultaneously over the course of a week, which is potentially the greatest data-set of this sort collected from pet cats."

The programme will also look at vocalisations and relationships with owners. A follow-up to the main broadcast can be seen at 10pm on Friday 14 June.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.