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Labrador and kitten strike up unlikely friendship
Barney quickly took it upon himself to become chief ‘kitten sitter’ and takes his duties very seriously.

Barney becomes five-week-old kitten’s playmate

An unlikely friendship has been struck up at Battersea’s Dogs and Cats Home, where Barney, a labrador, has found a lifelong friend in Ava, a five-week-old kitten.

Barney’s owner Rachel Ab’dee said that “Barney adores Ava and can't wait to come into Battersea every morning so that he can see her.”

Ava was rushed to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home after being found in a London garden. Cold and just a few days old, things were looking bleak for Ava until she met Barney.

Now five weeks old, Ava is being looked after and hand-fed by vet nurse Megan Goldring. She spends much of her day in the Battersea clinic office, and it was here that she met Barney.

Barney quickly took it upon himself to become chief ‘kitten sitter’ and takes his duties very seriously. He snuggles up with Ava, plays with her and watches her every move. The inseparable pair even watch TV together during break time!

Just like Ava, Barney had a rough start to life. Born on a puppy farm, he ended up with owners who couldn’t cope with a lively puppy. They brought Barney into Battersea in 2014, where Rachel Ab’dee, Battersea’s head nurse, fell in love and adopted him.

“Barney has become her best friend and favourite playmate,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see them so happy together and to know that their most difficult days are behind them.”

Image (C) Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.