A new app has been launched by Hedgehog Street, a national campaign ran by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), to help bolster declining hedgehog populations.

Users will receive monthly advice and FAQs and can record sightings of wild hedgehogs, helping conservationists to understand where populations need help.

Hedgehog officer for the campaign, Grace Johnson explains: "We know hedgehogs are in trouble - we've lost 50 per cent of hedgehogs in rural areas since 2000, which is a staggering amount. But, there are ways that we can all help. Our monthly top tips [range] from leaving a shallow bowl of water out for thirsty 'hogs in the summer, to providing nesting materials and supplementary food before hedgehogs hunker-down for hibernation."

The 'Hedgehog Street' app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It launches ahead of National Hedgehog Day, celebrated on Sunday 2 February 2020.

In a recent statement, the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) discussed its concerns over the future of the British egg industry following Brexit.

The primary concern expressed in the statement is that if tariffs are removed - which the government has suggested will happen in the event of a no-deal Brexit - then a flood of cheaper eggs produced to lower standards will hit the UK market, as producers from countries where battery farming is legal will be able to undercut UK farmers.

BHWT, the NFU and the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) have confirmed that they will continue to urge the government to preserve this important industry, through upholding animal welfare standards and protecting free range egg farmers.

Equine veterinary surgeon professor Renate Weller has won the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her "outstanding contribution to the craft of farriery and the welfare of the horse".

Professor Weller received the award at a recent Court meeting in London. She is the 33rd recipient of the award, granted by the governing Court "to a person who has rendered distinguished service to the Company and/or the craft of farriery," since its introduction in 1923.

Renate said the award was a "total surprise", adding: "To be recognised within your own industry is one thing but to be recognised in such a special way by an allied profession is another. It is an amazing award and I am delighted to accept it".

Leading feline charity Cats Protection has launched a heartwarming Christmas animation to raise awareness of the important work it does. The animation is based on a true story of a kitten that went missing earlier this year. Freezing cold and hungry, the kitten was dumped in a box on a roadside and somehow became separated from her brother and sisters.


Thankfully there is a happy end to this tail, and Libby - now named Misty - was eventually reunited with her littermates. Misty's owner, Amy Smith, said: "Misty has settled amazingly well into our home, she has found a best friend in my daughter Lily and likes to follow her around the house. She also loves to chase bugs in the garden. We feel very lucky to have her."

New York City councillors have voted overwhelmingly in favour of legislation that will see the ban of foie gras in the city. The move, which comes in response to animal cruelty concerns, will take effect in 2022.


 Councillor Carlina Rivera, who sponsored the legislation, told the New York Times that her bill "tackles the most inhumane process" in the commercial food industry. "This is one of the most violent practices, and it's done for a purely luxury product," she said.


 Foie gras is a food product made of the liver of a goose or duck that has been fattened, often by force-feeding. New York City is one of America's largest markets for the product, with around 1,000 restaurants currently offering it on their menu.

Applications are open for the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) Student Grant Scheme for innovative research projects designed to impact animal welfare.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students of veterinary science, veterinary nursing, agriculture studies and animal welfare are invited to submit their proposals to undertake research projects next year.

Grants are decided based on the project's innovation, relevance to topical animal welfare issues and ability to contribute towards raising animal welfare standards. For more information visit animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk.