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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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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
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.