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Abandoned New Year's Eve puppies in need of homes
Image: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Five puppies were abandoned at Battersea just hours before the dawn of 2013

The 12-week-old English Bull Terrier Cross pups were found in a small plastic box dumped outside Battersea's Old Windsor Centre. The five puppies were dirty and distressed, left with no food or water. Staff at Battersea quickly brought them into the warm and gave them food, water and a wash. They will need to stay at the centre for at least 7 days before they can be re-homed.

Centre Manager Kate Mughal says: “Given the timing we're worried they were bred as Christmas presents by someone looking to make a quick buck, but when they failed to sell they were disposed of. 


"Dumping animals without food or water near a busy main road could have disastrous consequences, but thankfully we found these pups quickly, and they’re now recovering from their ordeal."

For homes and rescue centres like Battersea, the festive season brings with it increased pressure on resources. Between Christmas day and New Year's Day, Battersea's three centres received 96 dogs and 52 cats. Of the 11 cats and 36 dogs that came to the Old Windsor centre alone, around half were strays.

The puppies have been festively named Midnight, Big Ben, Chimes, Bubbles and Fizz. The charity will be seeking caring new homes for them this year.

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'