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Zebra mice rescued from home containing 100 rodents
Zebra mice are native to Africa and require large cages with lots of enrichment.

Anonymous tip-off alerts charity to rodents kept in unsuitable conditions

A trio of striped zebra mice are looking for new homes after being rescued from a house containing over 100 rodents in dirty cages.

Zebra mice are native to Africa and require large cages with lots of enrichment, including tunnels to play in, houses to hide in and lots of wood to chew.

The RSPCA received an anonymous tip-off about lots of rodents being kept in a home in Birmingham last year. Inspector Jonathan Ratcliffe went to the property in September and found 104 rodents.

“There were rows and rows, stacks and stacks of cages all with rodents inside, from mice to hamsters to rats,” he said. “The owner just wasn’t able to cope any more and signed all 104 rodents over to us to rehome. It took us days to get them out of the house and into rescue centres up and down the country.”

Most of the animals have now been rehomed, but Birmingham Animal Centre is still trying to rehome the three zebra mice - Bashful, Sleepy and Grumpy - as well as marmot mice Cagney, Jonesy and Lacey.

Emma Finnmore from the centre, said: “Sleepy is happy being handled and is quite confident once she knows you. She arrived here with six other mice who were all male so, unfortunately, she is currently being kept on her own.

“Bashful and Grumpy are looking for a home together. They’re both very fast and like to jump so can be quite tricky to handle!”

For information on rehoming, call 0300 123 8585, or visit: www.rspca.org.uk/local/birmingham-animal-centre/findapet

Image courtesy of the RSPCA

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

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.