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Vets join passive smoking campaign
ashtray
"Stopping smoking completely is the best option to keep pets fit and well"
Councils working alongside vets to improve pet welfare
 
A campaign to highlight the harmful effects of smoking around pets has seen local councils joining forces with vets to combat the issue.

Vets from across South Yorkshire have partnered Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster councils to encourage pet owners to protect their pets by keeping their homes smoke-free.

Recent research by the University of Glasgow found that passive smoking puts pets at risk of a range of health problems, including cancer, cell damage and weight gain.

Sheffield vet Phil Tricklebank is supporting the campaign: "I have seen many cases of chronic bronchitis in dogs and feline asthma in cats, which can often be aggravated by exposure to second-hand smoke," he explained. "I would urge all animal lovers not to smoke around their pets."

In Sheffield, 17.7 per cent of the adult population smoke. In Rotherham, the figure is 18.4 per cent, and in Doncaster, 22.7 per cent.

Doncaster councillor Pat Knight, said: "Many people are already aware of the risks of second-hand smoke when it comes to babies and young children, while pet owners are often surprised that animals can be harmed too."

In fact, the Glasgow research team found pets face an even greater threat from passive smoking than humans as they spend more time in the home and are closer to carpets where cancer-causing particles may remain. Cats are particularly at risk, perhaps due to extensive self-grooming.

"Reducing the amount of smoke pets are exposed to by smoking outdoors can help," councillor Knight added, "however stopping smoking completely is the best option to keep pets fit and well. There is plenty of free help and support available locally for smokers who want to quit."

Members of the public in South Yorkshire are being urged to make their cars and homes smoke-free as part of a wider campaign. More information can be found here: http://www.breathe2025.org.uk/

Details of local help and support available can be found by calling the stop smoking service on 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166 (free from most mobiles), or by visiting http://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/

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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.