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Entries open for Pet Comedy Photo Awards 2020

Competition to raise funds for abandoned or unwanted pets.

Bubble surprise.

If you're stuck (safe!) at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, now's your chance to get creative. Mars Petcare has launched its Pet Comedy Photo Awards 2020 in celebration of the nation's pets. Here are just some of the brilliant entries submitted to last year's competition, which we hope will help make your day a little bit brighter.


Cat selfie.

The competition is raising money for UK pet charity Blue Cross to assist them in their mission of finding happy homes for abandoned or unwanted pets. Professionals and complete amateurs are encouraged to pick up a camera and capture those hilarious moments with their pets.

From the masterminds behind the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, the competition calls on pet owners to use their camera or camera phone to take snaps of their furry (or not so furry!) friends. The winner will receive £3,000 and be crowned the 'Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year'.

Life's a beach.

As well as bringing some smiles during this difficult time, the partnership aims to highlight the incredible joy that pets can bring to people's lives, especially during  hardship. It also aims to raise much-needed funds for sick, injured, abandoned, or homeless pets by donating 10 per cent of the sponsorship fee and 10 per cent of the £5,00 entry fee to Blue Cross.

“This is an absolutely fantastic partnership, and we are thrilled to be working with Mars Petcare and their wider family of pet-loving supporters,” said Tim Sullam, Pet Photo Awards.

“In these gloomy times that we have all been living through, it is important to keep our spirits up and maintain a positive outlook. We know from Comedy Wildlife Awards that animals are a great source of humour,  we can't wait to see your hilarious pet images.”

Mars Petcare UK general manager Helen Warren, added: “The nation will appreciate now more than ever, the benefits of having a pet in the home and this competition gives us all an official reason to share just how amazing they are. We're delighted the partnership is raising funds for Blue Cross as well as raising much-needed awareness for homeless pets in the UK.”

The closing date for entries is 31 August 2020. For more information about the various categories and to enter, visit www.comedypetphoto.com

 

Best friends.

 

Images (C) Mars Petcare.


 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.