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Battersea collaborates with iCatCare to improve cat welfare
The plans will support long term, global cat population management.
The CFH programme aims to promote more strategic rehoming.

Battersea has collaborated with International Cat Care (iCatCare) to develop a new programme, which hopes to promote more proactive and strategic working with rehoming.

The Cat Friendly Homing (CFH) programme will work to assist the rescue sector with becoming more professional and sustainable.

The CFH programme’s principles state that each cat should be treated as an individual case, with only suitable pets being rehomed and no cat being worse off from human intervention. It aims to limit the time cats are spent in rescue centres or confinement, and neuter all cats at the earliest opportunity.

The plans will see veterinary training provided on key subjects such as neutering and shelter medicine. It will also see experts and organisations from different disciplines contributing to handle cat population management together.

It is hoped that that these plans will support long term, global cat population management.

The programme has been funded by a three-year grant from Battersea, as the rescue charity marks its 140th anniversary. It forms part of Battersea’s Global Programmes strategy, which sees it work with organisations across the UK and internationally.

Last year saw Battersea award 20 grants to rescue centres and organisations across six countries, helping nearly 350,000 dogs and cats.

Vicky Halls, head of unowned cats at iCatCare, said: “Now is the time for us to adapt, stop the never-ending cycle of reactivity and make a change for cat welfare.

“Cat Friendly Homing, an iCatCare initiative, represents a shift to a more proactive way of working that will not only tackle the problem at a population level, but also help more unowned pet cats to achieve the outcome that best suits their needs.”

Roxanne Nazir, head of grants and programmes at Battersea, said: “We are proud to support such an ambitious programme and as we mark our 140th anniversary of helping cats, there couldn’t be a better time to announce this collaboration.

“We cannot wait to see the impact this work begins to have on feline welfare and the rehoming sector over the next three years and beyond.”

Image © Battersea

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.