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Bill Oddie highlights plight of cats and dogs in S. Africa
Emma Milne (right) checks puppy brought to IFAW's Cape Town Dog and Cat Project

Visit to shine a light on the work of vet volunteers

Comedian and broadcaster Bill Oddie is heading to South Africa later on this month to highlight the plight of dogs and cats in the country's poorest communities.

A keen conservationist and champion of animal welfare issues, Bill plans to visit projects being run in October by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). These include CLAW in Soweto outside Johannesburg and Mdzananda in Khayelitsha outside Cape Town.

Bill will see first-hand the vital service provided by the free mobile veterinary clinics, which offer neutering, vaccinations and other veterinary care, as well as educating people living in extreme poverty about caring for their pets.

During his trip, Bill will also meet Lily the Warrior, a dog now known all over the world for her bravery. IFAW's Mdzananda Animal Clinic rescued her after she was buried alive on the orders of a high school principal who said she was a nuisance.

Having been underground in a metre-deep pit for at least 30 minutes, Lily was barely alive when staff from the clinic reached her in October 2011.

After a two-year court case, two janitors and the principle were found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to community service and fines. In addition, the principle was ordered to introduce a humane education programme at the school.

The dog was initially named "Warrior" by clinic staff, but then renamed Lily by her new owner, a local journalist who adopted the greyhound-like cross breed after covering the story in her newspaper.

Robbie Marsland, UK director of IFAW, said: "The story of Lily’s survival is a tribute to her spirit, and to the wonderful staff of our dog and cat clinic in Cape Town. Today Lily is intelligent and obedient, playful and inquisitive – everything a happy dog should be. Her story is inspiring.

"The dedicated staff and volunteers at our clinics do amazing work for people and their animals and the need is endless. We are delighted that Bill is able to highlight these important projects."

On Friday, October 18, Lily and Bill will be the guests of honour at an event at Mdzananda, where a quilt will be handed over, made from swatches of patchwork with messages of support for Lily from 3,000 people worldwide. Other blankets made for the dogs at the clinic will also be handed over at the same time.

Qualified vet volunteers looking to take part in the IFAW projects can contact IFAW by email.

Image  ©IFAW/T. Samson

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.