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Tabby cat runs for US presidency
Twitter profile
Limberbutt McCubbins has officially registered with the Federal Election Commission as a Democratic candidate.

Meow is the time!

A six-year-old tabby cat from Kentucky has joined the running for presidency in the 2016 US elections.

Affectionately named Limberbutt McCubbins, the feline front runner has officially registered with the Federal Election Commission as a Democratic candidate.

Speaking through his owner and spokeswoman, Emilee McCubbins, Mr McCubbin told the Guardian that he is running on a platform largely based around improving conditions for felines.

His policies include the 'legalisation of gay cat marriage' and the 'legalisation of catnip'. He also hopes to add a condition to the Affordable Care Act, subsidising veterinary care for lower-income Americans.

It's certainly not the first time that an animal has run for an election. In 2014, seven-year-old Duke the Dog became the new mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota, and in 1997 a cat named Stubbs was elected mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska.

Not one to pussyfoot around, Limberbutt has already launched a campaign website and a campaign slogan, 'Meow is the time!'  His Facebook page has over 11,000 likes and he has almost 2,000 followers on Twitter.

Since filed as a candidate, Limberbutt's campain has received coverage from major media outlets including The Huffington Post, The Guardian and ABC News.

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.