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What's new Pussycat?
Dr Andy Sparkes
ICC's Cat Friendly Practice initiative enters a new phase

Speaking at a special press briefing at the BSAVA Congress, Dr Andy Sparkes, clinical director of International Cat Care (ICC) announced the launch of its "refreshed Cat Friendly Practice" programme on 15 April.

Andy explained that the Cat Friendly initiative continues to be a focal initiative for ICC and the new materials, developed in response to feedback from early adopting practices, will help interested clinics to gain accreditation; or already accredited clinics to raise their profile to the cat-owning public.

The whole thrust of the Cat Friendly Practice programme is to reduce the stress experienced by cats when they visit veterinary practices. During the past three years it has made a significant difference to the well-being of cats and there are 1,200 accredited cat friendly practices worldwide.

Features of the refreshed project include a raft of promotional materials for accredited practices to use in their promotional activities, a video 'walk-through' of a cat friendly practice and 'tweaked' accreditation criteria that now encompass a Bronze level, in addition to the slightly revised Silver and Gold levels.

There is also an eye-catching new logo and a striking 'How old is your cat? poster for use in practice waiting rooms.

Andy took the opportunity to demonstrate how the Cat Friendly Practice programme reinforced the three pillars of the ethos of ICC:

  • Education of cat owners
  • Veterinary education and
  • Cat population control.

He pointed out that the latter is very labour intensive and the future lies in non-surgical control of reproduction in cats. As a step in this direction, a significant part of the ISFM European Congress  in Porto (1-5 July) will be devoted to this subject.

Andy also showed how the ICC's recent initiatives for nurses were intended to fulfil the organisation's criteria, especially in terms of veterinary education and communication with cat owners.

There are now nearly 4,000 nurses spread over 40 different countries who have taken up the option of free ISFM membership, through which they can participate in webinars and receive the monthly online journal, Feline Focus. And nearly 400 nurses have taken the ISFM Certificate and Diploma, with over a further 100 currently enrolled.

Concluding, Andy completed the virtuous circle. "The Cat Friendly Practice programme," he said, "lends itself to being a nurse-led initiative."

The new website, www.catfriendlclinic.org, will be fully operational from Wednesday 15 April.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.