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New iCatCare course addresses feline wellbeing
The course aims to prevent behavioural problems before they develop.

The behaviour course is designed for those who work with cats.

International Cat Care (iCatCare) has launched a new behaviour course, designed to support those who work with cats in promoting improved feline wellbeing.

The Cat Behavioural Health Programme will support learners who are in the position to give feline advice to identify and address behavioural problems before they develop.

PDSA’s recent Paw Report saw over 70 per cent of cat owners report that their cat experienced behavioural problems. The new Cat Behavioural Health Programme has been designed so that those who regularly work with cats, such as veterinary professionals or those in rehoming centres, can advise on behavioural issues as soon as possible.

Those who complete the course will be able to identify behavioural issues, provide preventative and behavioural first aid advice, and work under the supervision of clinical animal behaviourists to champion feline wellbeing.

They will also be on route to becoming an iCatCare Behavioural Health Practitioner.

The course has been developed by 16 internationally renowned cat welfare experts and endorsed by the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology. It replaces the charity’s Advanced Feline Behaviour for Veterinary and Cat Professionals courses.

It also contributes to the knowledge and understanding requirements needed to become an ABTC Animal Behaviour Technician.

Each module includes a range of interactive course lessons and features the latest research on cat welfare such as behaviour cognition and genetics.

Learners will earn a certificate upon completion of each module. After passing four learning modules and a final project module, the learner can become a Level 1 Cat Behavioural Health Practitioner.

The course is designed to suit those with busy schedules, with a flexible pay-per-module plan and on-demand delivery.

Sarah Ellis, head of cat mental wellbeing and behaviour at iCatCare, said: “Preventative advice and early recognition of problem behaviours are both key to improving cat welfare.

“This programme allows anyone who works with cats, either directly or in a remote advisory role, to gain the knowledge and understanding required to help promote cat behavioural health.”   

The charity is currently planning content for the Level 2 award, which will focus on more people-focused skills such as communication, professionalism and ethics.

The new course can be found here

Image © Shutterstock

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.