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RWAF Launches Christmas Appeal
Charity issues care advice for rabbits.

The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) have appealed in the spirit of the season for owners to pay more attention to their pets.

Rabbits are the most neglected pets in the UK. Many live in cramped hutches with no space to exercise, an inadequate diet, and no companionship. A sedentary lifestyle often leads to muscle weakness and a fragile spine, which can lead to a vulnerability to injury when handled. Fly strike and other medical problems are rife.

The RWAF recommends that a rabbit should have a suitable hutch connected to a safe exercise area, plenty of warm and dry bedding that should be replaced regularly, and a healthy diet with a strong emphasis on grass.

They also recommend that a rabbit should be neutered and bonded with another neutered rabbit, because rabbits never live alone in the wild and the domestic rabbit values companionship as much as food. And what better time for companionship than Christmas?

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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.