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Cat café to open in Scotland
cat with teacups
A cat café opened in London earlier this year, prompting some animal welfare concerns.
Japanese-inspired café is the UK's second of its kind

Scotland's first ever "cat café" is set to open in 2015. Maison de Moggy will be styled on the popular Japanese cafés that allow customers to cuddle and play with their resident cats.

A similar café, Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium opened in London earlier this year, prompting concern among the veterinary profession about cat welfare.

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

Maison de Moggy will open in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, in January 2015 for a limited time only. While locally produced tea and cake will be on offer, the focus will be on the cats, according to owner Laura O'Neill.

The café owner has hired a dedicated cat nanny to supervise interaction between cats and customers.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Ms O'Neill said: "I've sourced all the cats myself from kittens. I've reared them so I know their behaviours, and I know they all get on. I obviously wouldn't put them in a cat café if I thought they were going to be acting out."

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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. 

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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.