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Further support for pets in rentals campaign
AdvoCATS co-founder Jennifer Berezai and senior consultant Mia.

PFMA and iCatCare have joined AdvoCATS mission. 

Two major UK organisations - International Cat Care (iCatCare) and the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) - have joined the campaign to make renting with pets easier.

The Heads for Tails! campaign is spearheaded by AdvoCATS, an voluntary organisation set up in 2018 to offer free support and advice to landlords and tenants, and assist pet owners struggling to find rental accommodation. 

Established in 1958, iCatCare is a pioneering cat welfare charity, which also has a veterinary division, is at the forefront of feline care and medicine. PFMA is the leading trade body for the UK pet food industry. 

Dr Sarah Ellis, head of Cat Advocacy at iCatCare, said: “In a world where renting is commonplace and where there are so many pet cats relinquished and/or needing homes, making renting with pets easier is a critical contribution to sustaining positive wellbeing for people and pet cats.”

Backing the call to amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to allow a landlord to either request a financially capped pet deposit, or stipulate pet damage insurance, the organisations are adding their support to a number of endorsements, including the National Residential Landlords Association, National Office for Animal Health, and over 40 MPs and Peers, among many others. 

Deputy chief executive of the PFMA, Nicole Paley, explained why it is backing the campaign: “We are delighted to add our support to the important work of AdvoCATS. 

“Our pets have such a positive impact on our lives from reducing stress and anxiety to providing much valued companionship. It is vital we address how we can support owners renting with pets.”

Jen Berezai, co-founder of AdvoCATS welcomed the support: “To have two such well-respected industry names back our campaign is fantastic. 

“We are in discussion with a number of other organisations which have expressed interest in the campaign and, in fact, have just recruited Proptech-PR and ProtectaPet, all of which strengthens our case for the government to adopt the Heads for Tails! Proposals, which will open up pet ownership for thousands - maybe even hundreds of thousands - of tenants.” 

Image (C) AdvoCATS

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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

Click here for more...
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.