Influx of kittens prompts plea to neuter cats
An animal rescue charity is urging people to neuter their cats because of a rise in the number of kittens needing rehoming.
Suffolk Animal Rescue, which is based in Stowmarket, said they had been inundated with kittens and have had to make an urgent appeal for donations to fund food and medication.
Staff say the most concerning aspects are the risk of an immunodeficiency virus and the number of pregnant kittens they are dealing with.
Emma Floyd, a kennel maid for the charity, said: "People that let their female cats out too soon are running at a high risk of their cat becoming pregnant."
The Suffolk based charity specialises in taking in feral cats and "taming them".
They said it was becoming "extremely concerning" after they started to see kittens having their own babies.
Ms Floyd, who lives in Pettistree, said: "I think last year we were around the 50-kitten mark.
"It takes a long time getting through the kittens and mums. It is not just the care, but it is the medication."
Due to the influx of kittens arriving at the rehoming centre, the charity said they had been working to maximise space.
"It is thinking about if we have older kittens who can move on to the older area, it frees up our spaces," Ms Floyd added.
She raised concerns about domestic cats not being neutered and also contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
According to the RSPCA, FIV is a viral infection that results in cats having a weakened immune system.
Ms Floyd said people could be "running a high risk" of their cat mating with an FIV-positive tom if they are not neutered.
"There are so many schemes set up for people to get help with neutering their cat," she added.
An online wishlist was set up by the rescue centre after it "went through supplies at a very fast pace".
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
'We've been rescuing and rehoming cats for 100 years'
Animal shelter that was set to close could stay open
'We're rehoming more dogs due to cost of living'
Suffolk Animal Rescue
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
3 hours ago
- Medscape
Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases Rose in UK Pregnancies
Over the past two decades, the prevalence of autoimmune diseases among pregnant women in the UK has significantly increased, with psoriasis being the most common condition. The likelihood of diagnosis varied across sociodemographic factors, including age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a UK population-based retrospective cohort study using routinely collected primary care data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink Gold and Aurum pregnancy registers. This study included 5,165,960 pregnancies in 2,831,472 women aged 15-49 years from 2000 to 2021, including 185,208 pregnancies in 100,655 women with a coded diagnosis of autoimmune disease. Researchers evaluated the prevalence trend, calculated annually for both overall and each of 17 autoimmune diseases, during pregnancy via diagnostic codes and analysed their associations with sociodemographic factors. TAKEAWAY: The overall prevalence of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy increased from 3.5% in 2000 to 4.7% in 2021; psoriasis was the most prevalent condition, followed by inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis between 2000 and 2010 and type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease in 2010-2021. The prevalence of most of the autoimmune diseases significantly increased between 2000 and 2021, with the steepest rise observed in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (+6.22%), coeliac disease (+6.20%), and alopecia areata (+4.75%). Women living in less deprived areas had higher odds of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy than those living in more deprived areas (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.14), and Black women had significantly lower odds than White women (aOR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.45-0.51). Compared with women aged 15-20 years, those aged 21-30 years (aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14-1.20), 31-40 years (aOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.45-1.55), and 41-50 years (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.68-1.82) had increased odds of being diagnosed with autoimmune disease before pregnancy. IN PRACTICE: "This study gives a clear estimate of the burden of autoimmune diseases in pregnancy in the UK and the possible association with various demographic factors, and will help the process of improving maternity care for women with these health conditions," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Megha Singh, PhD, Department of Applied Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England. It was published online on June 02, 2025, in The Lancet Rheumatology . LIMITATIONS: This study did not include some rare autoimmune diseases like dermatomyositis. Although the use of primary care data reduced entry-level coding biases, improvements in recording practices over time might affect data quality and completeness, potentially affecting observed trends. Additionally, this study may have underestimated the prevalence of autoimmune diseases since most cases are diagnosed and managed in secondary care. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the Strategic Priority Fund "Tackling multimorbidity at scale" programme. One author initially worked at the University of Birmingham and later joined AstraZeneca and currently holds an honorary contract with the University of Birmingham.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
L'Oréal to acquire majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8
L'Oréal Group has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in UK-based skincare brand Medik8. Inflexion, a European mid-market private equity company, will retain a minority share post-transaction. The acquisition is a strategic move by L'Oréal to bolster its Luxe division with a brand that has a strong foundation in scientific research and innovation. Medik8's performance and potential for international expansion make it a valuable addition to L'Oréal's portfolio. L'Oréal will begin to consolidate Medik8's sales following the transaction's closure. The agreement grants L'Oréal rights to eventually acquire the remaining shares held by minority shareholders. L'Oréal LUXE president Cyril Chapuy stated: 'We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L'Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio. 'We share a strong belief in Medik8's global potential and are excited to embark on this journey together, to build a powerful and impactful brand presence worldwide.' Completion of the transaction is anticipated in the summer or early autumn of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Founded by scientist Elliot Isaacs, Medik8 is known for its CSA Philosophy: Vitamin C plus Sunscreen by day, Vitamin A by night. Medik8's has expanded its omni-channel sales strategy to include major online and offline retailers in Europe and the US. Medik8 CEO Simon Coble stated: 'I am delighted to be joining forces with a company which shares our vision for the brand's future growth and whose core values align with our deep commitment to science, innovation and above all, results without compromise. I look forward to the next stage in Medik8's journey, as we work together to bring our innovative products to a wider audience.' "L'Oréal to acquire majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Entrepreneur
6 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
Achieve Health Unveils Groundbreaking Genetic Testing to Personalise Health & Longevity Strategies
People think about their health in the short term such as when they're injured, when they're sick, but we want to help them enhance their health over decades You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Achieve Health, a leader in multifaceted health and wellness services, is rolling out an advanced genetic testing program, marking a significant step in personalised healthcare. Founded by Rick Lovell, Achieve Health operates as a 'supermarket for your health,' integrating physiotherapy, tailored rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, aesthetics, personal training, nutrition, and psychological support. This latest initiative aligns with its mission to move beyond reactive treatment and provide proactive, long-term health optimisation. "Health is often segmented. Patients are treated for isolated issues without considering how everything is interconnected," says Lovell. "With genetic testing, we can take a truly personalised approach, mapping out an individual's risks for various health conditions, from metabolic health to neurodegeneration, and creating actionable steps to help improve longevity and overall well-being." Rick Lovell Founder and Ceo of Achieve Health A New Era of Personalised Health Monitoring The program analyses an individual's DNA to provide tailored health insights, covering areas such as gut health, brain function, hormone regulation, and cardiovascular health. By identifying genetic predispositions, Achieve Health can offer targeted recommendations—whether it's optimising diet, adjusting exercise routines, or implementing specific supplementation strategies. "Too often, patients are told there's nothing they can do about certain health concerns," Lovell explains. "We challenge that narrative. The reality is, if someone has the time and resources, there's very little that can't be drastically improved." The genetic data will be complemented by comprehensive blood testing and fitness and strength assessments, forming a well-rounded picture of an individual's health. This data-driven approach allows Achieve Health to create curated action plans, providing long-term monitoring rather than temporary fixes. Subscription-Based Longevity Support In line with its commitment to longevity-focused healthcare, Achieve Health is bringing on a specialist in longevity medicine to oversee its proactive monitoring approach. The clinic is also introducing a subscription-based model, enabling clients to track their health over time. "People think about their health in the short term such as when they're injured, when they're sick, but we want to help them enhance their health over decades," says Lovell. Achieve Health provides deep insights into an individual's genetic predispositions, including metabolism, gut health, cognitive function, cardiovascular risk, sleep patterns, and even how the body responds to stress. "Through ongoing genetic and blood testing, VO2 max evaluations, and strength assessments, we can map out where someone's health is headed and implement strategies to keep them at their peak." Expanding the Standard of Care As part of its mission to redefine holistic healthcare, Achieve Health is expanding on its existing clinics with a flagship location in Harborne, Birmingham, bringing all of its services under one roof. This expansion is a step toward establishing Achieve Health as a national provider of a standardised, integrated approach to wellness. Lovell founded Achieve Health with a vision to redefine healthcare by offering a truly integrated, holistic approach. His journey began in the world of professional sports, working as a physiotherapist for elite football players. He quickly realised that traditional healthcare models were fragmented. Athletes received top-tier treatment, but the general public often faced long wait times, generic advice, and a lack of coordinated care. "Our goal is simple: to provide everyone with the same level of care that was once reserved for elite athletes," Lovell emphasises. "The more time someone spends with us, the greater their health outcomes should be." With its innovative blend of cutting-edge science, expert-led treatment, and a commitment to proactive healthcare, Achieve Health is setting a new standard in personalised wellness.
