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New collaboration to empower VNs to ‘speak up for cats’
iCatCare and BVNA will work together to help veterinary nurses learn and apply their knowledge of feline medicine in practice.

BVNA and International Cat Care to champion feline health and welfare.

A new collaboration that aims to empower veterinary nurses to ‘speak up for cats’ has been announced by the BVNA.

BVNA president Alex Taylor - also known as 'The Cat Nurse' - has revealed International Cat Care (iCatCare) as her charity of choice for her presidential year.

A passionate advocate for felines, Alex believes an organisation supporting veterinary professionals and owners to improve feline welfare was a natural fit. 

Commenting on her decision, Alex said: “Selecting iCatCare as the chosen charity for my presidential year was an honour to do. Not just because of my passion for cats, but because iCatCare and their veterinary division ISFM have always supported and championed veterinary nurses.

“There are so many veterinary nurses out there who have a keen interest and passion for feline welfare, and we have a huge role to play in promoting feline wellbeing, whether that’s in a clinical environment or through cat owner education.”

She added: “I am very proud to be part of the feline veterinary nursing and BVNA communities, so this collaboration is very dear to my heart. I have no doubt that the partnership between the BVNA and iCatCare will benefit the veterinary nursing profession and help improve feline welfare for many years to come.”

The veterinary division of iCatCare, The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), provides resources to help veterinary nurses learn and apply their knowledge of feline medicine in practice. 

ISFM programme manager, Sarah Collins, said: “As an RVN, I hugely appreciate the work carried out by the BVNA to support nurses and represent and promote our profession. I am therefore delighted to be working with them to enhance knowledge of feline physical health and mental wellbeing to improve feline welfare via the veterinary nurse community.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of ISFM’s Cat-Friendly Clinic Programme and Nathalie Dowgray, who is head of the ISFM, said its success is in no small part due to the support of RVNs.

“Collaboration with BVNA will be a fantastic step in our Cat-Friendly Evolution’,” she said.

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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.