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RSPCA urging owners to use parrot passports
The stray lovebird was found in a garden in Somerset.
The advice comes after charity unable to reunite stray lovebird with owner.

The RSPCA is urging owners to ensure their pet birds can be positively identified with either a microchip or closed ring. It also recommends the use of a parrot passport, which helps identify a bird in the event of an accidental escape.

A passport can be used to store information about a bird and can include photographs and ring and microchip details.

The advice comes after the charity took in a stray lovebird that was found in a garden in Norton sub Hamdon, Somerset on 22 May. Because the bird was so friendly, the householder was able to catch it and take it to their local veterinary surgery, who contacted the RSPCA for guidance. 

The charity is now looking after the lovebird but it has not been possible to reunite the bird with its owner because it is not microchipped or ringed. 

RSPCA animal rescue officer Dean Wilkins said: “She is lovely and friendly, and we’re sure there’s someone out there who’s missing their beloved pet. I have taken her to our West Hatch animal centre near Taunton where she is being well looked after.

“The team there has named her 'Tequila Sunrise' as she’s so colourful!

“We were hoping that her owner might be found but unfortunately, this lovebird was not microchipped so we have been unable to trace them. And despite putting up posters locally and posting on a lost and found site, no-one has come forward with any information, so Tequila Sunrise will now be put up for adoption and hopefully someone will soon offer her a forever home.”

The RSPCA deals with hundreds of pet psittacines each year, and many are unable to be reunited with their owners because they are not microchipped or ringed.

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.