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Sugar glider discovered in a London nightclub
The sugar glider was rescued from the nightclub, and transferred to a specialist keeper.

The lost party animal was rescued by the RSPCA. 

A lost sugar glider became a party animal on Sunday 23 January, when it was discovered in a nightclub in South Kensington!

The little marsupial shocked nightclub staff when they discovered him inside the club in the middle of the afternoon, and took him to the vet, who contacted the RSPCA. 

Mike Beaman, RSPCA rescuer who collected the sugar glider, said: “This little guy was found inside a nightclub in the middle of the afternoon. Either he was a little early to the party or somehow he has escaped and is a lost pet.

“This sugar glider wasn’t too friendly but had clearly been kept as a pet. They are cute animals and it’s easy to see why people might be tempted to buy sugar gliders as pets but we would urge them to reconsider; these animals need very specialist care and we don’t believe they are suitable as pets.

“Unfortunately, we do see these sorts of animals escaping or being given up from time-to-time when their owners realise how difficult it is to meet their needs in a household environment.”

The sugar glider has been transferred to a specialist keeper in Peterborough, and the RSPCA are warning the public about the complex needs of exotic pets, reminding them that the needs of sugar gliders are so difficult to meet in a household environment that the creatures do not make suitable pets.

Mike added: “They are nocturnal animals who need to be allowed to sleep during the day and to be awake and active at night. They must be fed an appropriate diet and be provided with UVB light in captivity, to prevent metabolic bone disease.

“They are arboreal, meaning they spend their lives up in the trees, and can glide for 50m or more, which would be extremely difficult to provide for in a typical home. 

“They’re also incredibly sociable so should never be kept on their own, and can live for over 10 years.”

 

Image (C) RSPCA

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.