Northfield Vets

07/08/2026

International Cat Day is celebrated on the 8th of August every year!

Fun facts about cats:
It's in the genes - Cats share 95% of their DNA with lions and tigers.

• Cats having the zoomies can reach speeds of up to 30 mph - Fast enough to beat Usain Bolt in the 200 metres sprint!
• The world's oldest cat lived to 38 years and 3 days old - Her name was Creme Puff and she lived in Texas from 1967 to 2005. She took the world record from her owners’ previous cat, Grandpa Rex Allen, who lived to 34 years old!
• Cats - the musical? - Cats can make up to 100 sounds. They're like birds. Dogs, on the other hand, make only 10. And cats can also produce 276 distinct facial expressions.

The rights of a cat:
Did you know that all pet owners in the UK have a legal duty to look after their pet’s welfare needs?
Section nine of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, states that all domestic animals have the legal right to:
• Live in a suitable environment - A warm bed, a safe space, protection from weather, noise and smoke.
• Eat a suitable diet - A healthy feline diet suitable for their age, breed and lifestyle. Keep your cat at a healthy weight and body condition for their sake, and avoid fatty human food that ruins teeth and triggers serious tummy problems in cats.
• Exhibit normal behaviour patterns -Cats are smart, inquisitive and programmed to stalk and pounce. Let them be explorers and fearsome felines, even if it’s only with a cardboard box and a catnip mouse!
• Be housed with, or apart from, other animals - Cats need company, but they also need protection from conflict and danger.
• Be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease - Prevent the preventable illnesses. Vaccinate, worm and flea-treat your cat regularly. Seek veterinary advice when your cat is unwell. They can’t talk and often hide their illness. It’s up to us to pay attention and to care.

The only thing missing here is, ‘The right to be worshipped and adored, constantly and unconditionally!' But cats added that bit themselves. So either this can be ignored, or we agree with them that it's their most important ‘right’.

We would love to see photos of your little ‘rulers of the roost’. Add them to the comments section below.

26/06/2026

Unfortunately we have been brought a deceased cat this morning. It is a male Tabby and was found in Queen Adelaide. There is a microchip, but sadly, not registered.
He was found last night. If you think he may be yours, please give us a call on 01353 722711.

21/04/2026

Change to EU travel for your pets.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) issued Briefing Note 14/26 on April 17, 2026. This statement marks a significant shift in pet travel rules, effectively ending the "loophole" where Great Britain (GB) residents used EU-issued pet passports to avoid the cost of Animal Health Certificates (AHCs).

An EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in GB, will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU. This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22 April 2026 . EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.
If your primary residence is in Great Britain, you cannot use an EU pet passport for travel from the UK to the EU, regardless of where or when that passport was issued (e.g., if you obtained it in France or Spain). UK residents must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every single trip to the EU.
The briefing clarifies that EU pet passports issued in Northern Ireland are also invalid for travel if the owner is a resident of Great Britain.
APHA is updating the AHC forms to align with new EU regulations. While these new templates are being finalised, there is a transition period where older AHC templates will still be accepted for travel into the EU. There are currently no changes to the requirements for pets entering GB. You can still use a valid EU pet passport or AHC to return to the UK.

For dogs, the requirement for a vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arriving back in GB remains in place.

You should contact your vet immediately to arrange an AHC, as pet passports will no longer be accepted at the border for UK residents from that date.

16/04/2026

Following on from our post in November 2025: Two further cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed in commercial poultry at premises in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.

Two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed in commercial poultry as follows:

at a third premises near Gainsborough, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
at a premises near Great Shelford, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire.
A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around each premises. Please check GOV.UK for more information.

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures remains in place across Great Britain.

All bird keepers must follow stringent biosecurity measures, any regional housing measures/Protection/Surveillance Zone restrictions in their area to prevent future outbreaks.

Please check the disease control zones on our avian influenza interactive map to see what restrictions are in place and the biosecurity guidance available on GOV.​UK.

Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for each disease control zone currently in force. More information is available on GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england -situation

Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.