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RSPCA Launches Animal Welfare Hotline
Farmers struggling in the cold weather can now get help from the RSPCA.
The RSPCA and National Farmers Union (NFU) are working together to help farmers and animals struggling in the cold weather.

The RSPCA is launching a new Farm Animal Welfare Hotline. All calls will be handled by the Society’s National Control Centre and if necessary, passed onto frontline RSPCA staff to access what help is needed.

Tim Wass, chief officer of the RSPCA inspectorate, said: “The extreme cold and bad weather conditions could have a massive impact on farm animals. We are committed to doing everything we can to assist them, and hope this hotline will be a real help for farmers who find themselves in difficulties.”

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: “While farmers are very resilient and are used to coping with extreme weather conditions the current bad weather has left some facing difficult situations. The welfare of their livestock is of paramount importance to farmers and, while, they are working hard to carry on as normal, anything that gives them an additional helping hand in these extreme conditions is welcome.”

Farmers and livestock owners with severe animal welfare problems can now call the RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare Hotline on 0300 1238424.

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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.