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Scottish SPCA issues urgent appeal for blankets
The Scottish SPCA has been unable to accept used blankets owing to the contamination risk of COVID-19.
Charity 'struggling to keep up with demand'.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) has issued an urgent appeal for blankets for animals in their Lanarkshire and Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centres.

The animal welfare charity says that it has been unable to accept used or knitted soft furnishings owing to the links associated with COVID-19. The charity's Lanarkshire centre has already cared for some 600 animals this year, and the Aberdeenshire Centre has looked after more than 500.

“We’re struggling to keep up with the demand for blankets at the moment,” said Lanarkshire centre manager, Gillian Boyle. “Normally we have lots of donations of second-hand blankets, towels and sheets coming in but because our centre is closed to the public due to the coronavirus crisis we’ve been unable to accept these like we normally would."

She added that the charity was only able to access brand new items due to the potential risk of contamination form items that are used.

“We ask that people do not donate duvets or pillows as we find our animals can easily tear these apart. We’re also in need of cleaning cloths for our cattery as we use around 30 of these a day and cat litter as we’re down to our last five bags."

Donations can be sent via Amazon Wishlist to Lanarkshire at https://amzn.to/30I4baX and Aberdeenshire at https://amzn.to/2XVL9Mt

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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.