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Don’t bring fox cubs into your home, urges SSPCA
“If you see a baby fox that you think needs help, please monitor them from a safe distance before intervening." – Chris Hogsden
The charity appeals to the public not to handle young foxes.
 
The Scottish SPCA has urged members of the public not to handle fox cubs or bring them into their homes this spring, as litters are born and start to emerge from their dens.

Last year, the charity cared for 10 cubs which had been found by people in their gardens and brought into their homes. In many cases, the cubs had been fed milk and human food, which is not a suitable diet and can cause a cub to become bloated.

In one recent case seen by the charity, someone took a cub into their home because they thought it was a kitten.

If a fox has been separated from their family for several days, it can be very difficult to reunite them with their pack. This means that fox cubs taken from the wild often have to remain under the care of the charity for up to five or six months before they can be safely released at a time when they would naturally disperse in the wild.

Although it is necessary for them to undergo rehabilitation so that they can survive on their own, this kind of prolonged period in captivity can be very stressful for a wild animal.

Scottish SPCA centre manager Chris Hogsden said: “We are reminding the public to be wildlife wise around fox cubs as we come in to the busy spring and summer months at our wildlife hospital.

“If you see a baby fox that you think needs help, please monitor them from a safe distance before intervening.

“If a fox does need assistance, please call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999 for advice.”

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New RCVS Academy courses to remove barriers in vet care

News Story 1
 The RCVS Academy has launched two courses to its new client support series, as it seeks to improve accessibility in veterinary settings.

The courses will help professionals to support assistance dog partnerships and clients with hearing loss.

The Hearing loss and Assistance dogs courses saw RCVS project lead Catherine Hemingway collaborate with the British Deaf Association and Assistance Dogs UK. Vets will gain practical guidance on supporting clients with additional needs.

Each course takes an hour to complete, and can be accessed by RCVS registrants for free. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
APHA launches free virtual work experience programme

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), in collaboration with Springpod, has launched a free virtual work experience programme, giving young people across the UK the chance to explore careers dedicated to protecting animal and plant health.

The on-demand programme offers a unique insight into career opportunities within APHA, showcasing how students can contribute to tackling some of the UK's most critical biosecurity and environmental challenges.

Designed for students aged 13 and over, the course includes more than 10 hours of engaging content featuring real-life industry insights, scenario-based challenges, and practical guidance on applying for jobs. To register for the course, visit the APHA website.