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New iCatCare course addresses feline wellbeing
The course aims to prevent behavioural problems before they develop.

The behaviour course is designed for those who work with cats.

International Cat Care (iCatCare) has launched a new behaviour course, designed to support those who work with cats in promoting improved feline wellbeing.

The Cat Behavioural Health Programme will support learners who are in the position to give feline advice to identify and address behavioural problems before they develop.

PDSA’s recent Paw Report saw over 70 per cent of cat owners report that their cat experienced behavioural problems. The new Cat Behavioural Health Programme has been designed so that those who regularly work with cats, such as veterinary professionals or those in rehoming centres, can advise on behavioural issues as soon as possible.

Those who complete the course will be able to identify behavioural issues, provide preventative and behavioural first aid advice, and work under the supervision of clinical animal behaviourists to champion feline wellbeing.

They will also be on route to becoming an iCatCare Behavioural Health Practitioner.

The course has been developed by 16 internationally renowned cat welfare experts and endorsed by the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology. It replaces the charity’s Advanced Feline Behaviour for Veterinary and Cat Professionals courses.

It also contributes to the knowledge and understanding requirements needed to become an ABTC Animal Behaviour Technician.

Each module includes a range of interactive course lessons and features the latest research on cat welfare such as behaviour cognition and genetics.

Learners will earn a certificate upon completion of each module. After passing four learning modules and a final project module, the learner can become a Level 1 Cat Behavioural Health Practitioner.

The course is designed to suit those with busy schedules, with a flexible pay-per-module plan and on-demand delivery.

Sarah Ellis, head of cat mental wellbeing and behaviour at iCatCare, said: “Preventative advice and early recognition of problem behaviours are both key to improving cat welfare.

“This programme allows anyone who works with cats, either directly or in a remote advisory role, to gain the knowledge and understanding required to help promote cat behavioural health.”   

The charity is currently planning content for the Level 2 award, which will focus on more people-focused skills such as communication, professionalism and ethics.

The new course can be found here

Image © Shutterstock

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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.