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Learning from homeless cats
  Amy Paddock with Cookie

Charity and college partnership set to benefit all

In a collaboration with pet charity Blue Cross, South Staffordshire College is providing care for homeless cats and kittens, until they are rehomed.

The college has provided specially made "cat chalets" and is allowing those students studying Animal Care and Management to look after the cats, whilst gaining valuable experience.

"I'm really enjoying looking after cats for Blue Cross," said student Amy Paddock. "Practical experience is really important for my course and so I'm learning at the same time.

"It makes it extra special to be helping a charity and to know that for many of these cats there simply isn't anywhere else for them to go, so they really do need our help."
 
Michelle Smith, Blue Cross regional foster manager, added that the new partnership will give homeless cats in the area the best chance of finding a new home, while enabling students to gain useful first-hand experience of looking after animals.

"Blue Cross rehoming centres across the UK are full of cats and kittens desperate for new homes and our catteries are often full to capacity," she commented, "so it really is a win-win partnership for all of us – including the cats!”

Image courtesy of South Staffordshire College

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com