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Figures show sharp rise in reported cat thefts
The Bengal was the most frequently stolen breed of cat, along with the domestic shorthair.
Bengal and domestic shorthair most frequently stolen breeds

Cat owners are being urged to keep their pet’s microchip details up-to-date as new figures show a sharp rise in the number of felines stolen across the UK.

Figures published by Direct Line Pet Insurance show that, in the last two years, the number of cats reported as stolen to UK police forces soared by 40 per cent.

Unlike when dogs are stolen, many police forces do not record the breed of cat missing. But of the breeds recorded, the Bengal was stolen most often, along with the domestic shorthair.

The Metropolitan Police reported the highest number of thefts, followed by Kent Police and West Yorkshire Police.

“It is very difficult for owners to know exactly where their cat is all the time due to the large distances they wander,” explained Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line.

“If an owner believes their cat is missing, they should first check the immediate vicinity such as in neighbouring gardens or garages as well as asking local people if they have seen it. If their cat is still missing, owners should contact their local animal warden.”

She adds that cat and dog theft is becoming an increasingly popular crime because it is difficult to track the animals down.

“We urge cat owners to make it as difficult for would-be thieves as possible. Keep your details up to date on the microchip database and let thieves know that the cat is neutered. By putting this extra information on the tag connected to their collar, and spreading the word of your cat's disappearance as quickly as possible, helps the pet become ‘too hot to handle’.”

Police forces recovered less than a fifth (18 per cent) of cats reported stolen in 2016, representing a lower recovery rate than dogs (21 per cent).

Analysis by Direct Line Pet Insurance shows that 261 cats were reported as stolen to police forces in 2016 - an increase of 40 per cent on 2014.

Further research by the insurer found the number of cats stolen may actually be far greater than the number reported to police forces. The study found that some 360,000 adults believe they had a cat stolen from their care in the past 12 months.

More than half of these owners (55 per cent) had their cat returned to them after it was taken or as a result of somebody else finding it because of its microchip.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.