Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Black cats make up nearly half of Battersea cats
Black cats make up nearly 43 per cent of all feline admissions.

Charity attempts to dispel myths ahead of National Black Cat Day 

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home takes in nearly twice as many black cats as any other colour, the charity has revealed.

Black cats make up nearly 43 per cent of all feline admissions, compared to other colours - such as ginger, that accounted for just seven per cent of cats at Battersea last year.

The charity believes black cats are less popular because they don’t look as good in photos and they are traditionally thought to be bad luck.

Battersea is using National Black Cat Day (27 October) to celebrate these oft-overlooked pets and dispel some of the myths associated with them.

Black cats currently waiting for a new home include 12-year-old Tiger-Lily, who has been at Battersea for 48 days, more than twice the average length of stay. Meanwhile, lap cat Terry has been at the Old Windsor cattery for 52 days.

Head of catteries Rob Young said: “Some people believe that black cats all look the same or that they do not look as good in photographs and will therefore overlook them in favour of a Tabby or Tortoiseshell.

"All cats deserve a second chance and we hope that anyone planning to adopt will consider changing a black cat’s luck and give it a loving home.”

Image © Battersea

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk