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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th January 2022
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Nominations open for National Cat Awards
"I really hope that this national celebration of our feline friends will inspire more people to welcome a cat into their lives" - Owain Wyn Evans.

Cat owners are invited to submit their pet for consideration.

Cats Protection is asking pet owners to nominate their cats for the National Cat Awards, an annual celebration of the devotion and courage of cats across the UK.

Launching the opening of nominations, BBC weather presenter Owain Wyn Evans said: “I’m a big fan of cats, not just because they’re such amazing animals, but also because of the incredibly positive impact they can have on people’s lives. 

“It’s such an honour to be helping launch the National Cat Awards, and I really hope this national celebration of our feline friends will inspire more people to welcome a cat into their lives.”

Nominations open today (11 January) and will close on Thursday 10 March, and cat owners will be able to nominate their cat in one of four categories, with a brand new category focusing on cats who have helped in the workplace, whether they've been helping their owners to adjust to working from home, or brightening up an office. 

The categories are as follows:

▪  Cat Colleagues – Cats who bring joy to the workplace or make working from home a pleasure
▪  Most Caring Cat – Cats that positively impact a person’s health or wellbeing
▪  Furr-ever Friends – Tales of friendship between children and cats
▪  Outstanding Rescue Cat – Fabulous felines adopted from animal charities
 
The winners will be chosen by a panel of celebrity cat lovers, and announced at a ceremony on 4 August 2022.

Kate Bunting, Cats Protection's Awards organiser, said: “Over the past two years, the UK’s pet cats have played an even more important role in our lives – whether it’s keeping the kids’ company during home schooling, being a companion for people living alone in lockdown or simply being there during times of uncertainty.

“From chilled out cats that provide comfort and support, to the mischievous moggies that make us smile, cats undoubtedly have a special place in the hearts and homes of millions of people. We’re thrilled to once again be hosting our National Cat Awards and are looking forward to sharing many wonderful stories of moggy marvelousness!

“We hope that by celebrating some of the UK’s most incredible cats we’ll inspire more people to consider adopting a cat in 2022.”
Further information, including how to nominate a pet can be found at cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards

Image (C) Cats Protection

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.