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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th June 2013
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The secret life of cats
Broadcast of live study reveals insight

Ever thought about what your cat might be getting up to when it leaves home for the day?

Well, wonder no more. A brand new "live study" is to hit our screens, allowing us to find out their every movement beyond the cat-flap.

At 9pm on Thursday 13 June, BBC2 will air The Secret Life of Cats as part of its scientific Horizon series.

During the programme, academics from the University of Lincoln will share their study, which features 50 cats from a village in Surrey being put under 24-hour surveillance.

The cats, which were fitted with GPS collars and cat-cams, were recorded as they hunted, patrolled and frolicked in the outdoors.

Dr Sarah Ellis, one of the study's leaders from Lincoln's School of Life Sciences, said: "We collected a huge amount of data simultaneously over the course of a week, which is potentially the greatest data-set of this sort collected from pet cats."

The programme will also look at vocalisations and relationships with owners. A follow-up to the main broadcast can be seen at 10pm on Friday 14 June.

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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. 

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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.