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RSPCA searching for owner of singing cockatiel
Peek-a-boo was rescued on 14 November, in the Kearsley area of Bolton.
The male cockatiel was found in a street in Greater Manchester.

The RSPCA is hoping to reunite a talkative and tuneful parrot with his owner, after he was found straying in Bolton.

The charity believes that the male cockatiel, which they have named Peek-a-boo, originally came from a loving and caring home, due to his tame behaviour and ‘charming’ personality.

Peek-a-boo was rescued by the RSPCA on 14 November, after a member of the public found him near a bench on a road in the Kearsley area of Bolton. He was found uninjured, and taken into private boarding accommodation.

He soon impressed his rescuers when he broke into song while being moved from his boarding accommodation to stay with one of the charity’s foster carers. Once he had settled with his foster carer, he began to sing and talk more often.

A popular favourite of Peek-a-boo’s is ‘If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands’, which he sings regularly to claps of encouragement, and rounds off with a loud peck on his perch.

The RSPCA say that his intelligence and personality indicate that he is a loved family pet, meaning it is likely that he escaped accidentally. However, his ring did not provide enough information for them to locate his owner.

Helen Chapman, an RSPCA animal rescue officer, said: “Peek-a-boo is extremely tame and is a delightful character who has been well looked after and loved by someone, who must have spent a lot of time on him.”

She added: “Once he settled in with one of our regular foster carers, he was singing happily. His voice sounds like he is mimicking an older woman.

“It is such a shame that he is in this situation and if he has escaped accidentally then whoever owns him will surely be heartbroken that he is missing.”

Anyone with useful information should contact RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Image © RSPCA

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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.