Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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.