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Celebrity ‘paws’ created for charity auction
Cats Protection hosts online auction to raise much-needed funds

Seventeen celebrities and artists, including model Twiggy and ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman, have each drawn around their hand to create unique "paper paws" for Cats Protection’s Celebrity Paws online auction.

The auction, now in its seventh year, raises much-needed funds for the charity which helps over 218,000 cats and kittens each year.

It will start on eBay on Thursday, November 21 and finish on Sunday, December 1.

Cats Protection has revealed that 2,000 fewer cats were adopted during 2012 than the previous year.

The charity is expecting further bad news as requests to adopt cats via its national helpline have slumped by around 40 per cent so far this year compared to the same period in 2012.

As a result of this, Cats Protection has launched a desperate appeal for people to adopt cats or make a donation.

Celebrity couple David Seaman and Dancing on Ice skater Frankie Poultney, adopted two cats - Smokey and Willow - from Cats Protection’s Newbury Adoption Centre. Frankie said: “David and I are pleased to be supporting Cats Protection by drawing ‘paper paws’ for the cause. We hope they raise plenty of funds and help many unwanted cats find loving homes.”

Zahir White, spokesperson for Cats Protection said: “We are very thankful for the paws from all of the celebrities and artists. We hope to get as much money as we can for each one as it will help at a time when it is harder than ever to find homes for unwanted cats.”

“From Frankie’s henna-like design to Twiggy’s abstract illustration featuring a blue eye and red lipstick, each design shows a great deal of ingenuity and craft and hopefully they’ll prove popular with bidders.”

To bid in the auction and to find out who else has donated their paw print to Cats Protection, please visit www.cats.org.uk/celebrity-paws.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.