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Caring Genie crowned Cat of the Year
Evie (left) with Genie and Evie's mother, Tina Henderson,

Rescue cat honoured at National Cat Awards 2017

A cat that helped her 12-year-old owner battle bone cancer has been honoured at a special ceremony in London.

Eight-year-old Genie was crowned overall winner at the National Cat Awards 2017 for the incredible support and inspiration she provided Evie Henderson.

Evie, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in March 2016, has endured six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, painful operations, and long hospital stays away from home.

During this time, Evie has gained strength from the bond she has with Genie, watching videos of her from her hospital bed and telling doctors that she needed to get better so that she could go home to see Genie.

When Evie started to lose her hair, she noticed that Genie’s fur was moulting and that it helped her to feel like she was not alone.

As well as being crowned overall winner, Genie also scooped the award for ‘Outstanding Rescue Cat’.

Presenting the award at a star-studded ceremony in London’s Savoy Hotel, actress Anita Dobson said: “None of us could fail to be moved by the close bond that these two share, a well-deserved win.”

Receiving her second trophy from the judges, Evie said: “I’m utterly stunned. I really can’t believe it. Genie deserves this so much. I was so happy to win our category but to win again is really amazing, incredible. It’s fabulous; I’m shocked, surprised and delighted by my cat at the same time.”

Journalist Andrew Collins, actor Paul Copley and ‘The Vamps’ musician James McVey were among the celebrities that attended the awards ceremony, organised by Cats Protection.

Other worthy winners on the night included:

  • Pixie - winner of Hero Cat - who alerted a sleeping couple to their toddler who was choking in her cot
  • Tilly - winner of Most Caring Cat - who helps her owner cope with an agonising medical condition
  • Spike - Winner of PURINA Better Together - who helps his owner cope with a debilitating disease
  • Mittens - winner of Furr-ever Friends - who helps a young girl with autism cope with a serious medical condition.

Image (C) Fabio De Paola.

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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.