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London's first cat café open for business
Image cat
Cat cafés aim to give people who cannot have their own pet a chance to interact with cats.
Overwhelming popularity for fully-booked Lady Dinah's

Londoners can now enjoy their coffee with a side of feline as the capital's first "cat café" has officially opened. Popular in Japan, the concept has caused some concern among veterinary organisations and welfare charities.

The new venue opened in Shoreditch, east London on March 1 and so far appears overwhelmingly popular, with so many people attempting to book a place that the online booking service crashed on the first day.

Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium raised the money to open with the help of crowd-funding website indiegogo.com, bringing in more than £100,000.

The idea is to allow those who cannot own their own cat, due to living in rented accommodation for example, to be able to spend time with the rescue cats at the café.

When rumours first arose of a cat café business in London, some organisations raised concerns and called for feline welfare to be the top priority.

BSAVA president Professor Michael Day said: "While some cats appear content living in groups and interacting with human strangers, other cats can be very stressed in these circumstances."

Similarly, Dr Andrew Sparkes of International Cat Care said the feline residents at the café must have opportunities to get away from people and other cats.

Café owner Lauren Pears told the BBC yesterday that the 12 cats at the café were so far not showing signs of stress. Lady Dinah's website states the business plan is built on research and ensuring happiness and wellbeing is the top priority.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.