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Blue Cross helps one-eyed kitten
"Even though Candy Cane's steps might seem small, they have been huge for her" - Sarah Miller, Blue Cross.

Little Candy Cane has found her forever home. 

A one-eyed kitten who came into the care of animal welfare charity Blue Cross has found her forever home after building confidence in a foster home.

Candy Cane was discovered with a painful ruptured right eye, and her veterinary team had to remove the eye in order to make Candy more comfortable. 

Understandably, Candy Cane was incredibly nervous and distrustful of humans, and so the charity decided to place her in foster care until she had recovered from her operation.

Foster carer Wendy Penfold took Candy Cane in to her home in Kent, and cared for her as she built her confidence up. Wendy said: “When Candy came to me, she’d lost her trust in humans and was very nervous.

“She would run and hide when I’d come into the room but by the end of her time with me, she became more inquisitive to know what I’m doing and staying in the same area as me.

“After the first week of hardly moving from her hiding hole she discovered the benefits of the tall cat climber in her run where was out of reach and could watch everything going on at a safe distance.”

A regular pet foster carer, Wendy was also caring for another cat named Rita, who she believed helped Candy Cane to come out of her shell. 

Wendy explained: “I think Rita helped lure Candy forward in the pen as I would sit and stroke or play with Rita in the corridor so Candy could see I was a nice person with to be around cats. 

“A lovely young couple in Hampshire have adopted her that are happy to give her the space and time to see how far she can settle in a family home. 

“They understand she may never be a lap cat but want to love her and let her know this is a safe place for her.”

A testament to the love and care of pet foster carers, Candy Cane's small steps toward confidence reflect the great care she has received.

Animal welfare assistant at Blue Cross Hertfordshire, Sarah Miller, commented on Candy Cane's experience: “Wendy has done an amazing job for Candy Cane and even though steps might seem small, they have been huge for her.

"We hope that over time she will build up a relationship and trust with her new owners.”

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.