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Cats Protection launches hands-free adoption service
Cats Protection has launched a new Hands-Free Homing service for potential pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic.
Scheme set to provide much-needed companionship during coronavirus pandemic.

Leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a new way for people to find their purr-fect companion during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charity's new Hands-Free Homing service enables prospective owners to view photos, videos and full descriptions of each moggie so they can garner as much information as possible before proceeding with an adoption.

If a match is found, Cats Protection will arrange a virtual meeting to carry out the necessary checks, and the cat will be delivered to its new home with strict social distancing measures being observed.

The charity will then conduct follow up calls with each owner in the weeks following the adoption to ensure that both they and their new pet are happy, with additional support available through its website.

Cats Protection director of operations Mark Beazley said: “This is a fantastic scheme, which will not only help to us to find loving homes for the cats in our care but can also help provide much-needed companionship for people at this difficult time.

“We know from our own research that nine out of 10 owners say their cat has a positive effect on their mental wellbeing. And two thirds also said that their cat helps them calm down when working from home, which it looks like many of us will be continuing to do for some time to come.”

Claire Blekkenhorst from Surrey and her eleven-year-old son adopted seven-year-old black cat Wilfey from Cats Protection under the new scheme and say that couldn’t be happier.

Claire said: “We are so in love with Wilfey. He has bonded so specially with my son and follows him everywhere. They have become very firm friends and sleep together every night. For a seven-year-old cat, he is super playful and inquisitive. He has loads of toys but, to be honest, his favourite game is to chase his own tail!

“We are so very grateful to Cats Protection for matching us with Wilfey. We lost our first cat in January and I honestly couldn’t imagine another cat coming into our lives and being adored so much, but it turns out it is possible.”

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.