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Guinea pig awareness week postponed
This years' GPAW will take place from 26 - 30 September.

New dates have been announced.

The organisers of Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) have declared new dates for the campaign, following the announcement that Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September, when the campaign was originally due to start.

As a mark of respect to the Queen and her family, GPAW has been postponed to the following week, starting Monday 26 September.

Charlotte Varley, communications manager for Burgess Pet Care, who organises GPAW, explained: “Given this time of national sorrow following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, as a show of respect we felt it appropriate to postpone the launch of GPAW until 26 September.

“We’re delighted that some vets’ practices have already downloaded their digital GPAW packs and are getting behind this year’s important campaign. 

“With GPAW less than two weeks away, we’d love to see even more practices helping us to throw the spotlight on these adorable creatures and their specific welfare needs, including their housing, through our national campaign dedicated to improving guinea pigs’ lives.

“GPAW is a fantastic opportunity to educate owners about how they can give their guinea pigs the best possible care, and to highlight the responsibility that comes with ownership.”

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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.