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Cat owners Skype their pets
ginger cat on laptop
Men are more likely to Skype their cat than women.
Survey finds more than a third of owners Skype with their cat

More than a third of cat owners use FaceTime and Skype to check in on their feline friends, according to a new survey.

The poll of 1,000 cat owners, conducted by card retailer Hallmark, unveiled a number of other bizarre findings.

Men were found to be more likely to spend time on Skype and FaceTime with their cat than women (23 per cent), while more than a fifth of people said they would take their cat on holiday.

Nearly 37 per cent of men had also tried to teach their cat tricks, with many believing their feline was talented enough to enter Britain's Got Talent.

A further 15 per cent of owners confessed to serving their cat a specially-made meal every day.

Perhaps the oddest of the findings was the 12 per cent of men who claimed they chose to own a cat because they couldn't have a lion or a tiger and a cat is the next best thing.

Rachel Goodman, Hallmark, said: "We conducted the report as we wanted as much insight as possible into just how much we love our feline friends; it's clear that cats are a pet passion in the UK."

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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.