Latest fromPets & Animals

22 sheep packed in van 'like sardines'
Two youths have been charged after police found 22 sheep crammed in a van in Gisborne this morning.

Circus busted for fake pandas
Chow Chow dogs, painted and dyed to look like panda bears, have been seized from an Italian circus.

Animal rights ruling cracks cage
The move to grant an orang-utan in Argentina some legal rights enjoyed by humans could open the floodgates to thousands of similar cases.

Bug named after Sir David
A newly discovered beetle has been named after television naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Talk to the Animals: 5 of NZ's worst animal invasions
There are aliens living amongst us, not little green men but foreign animal species from ecosystems far away, writes Sally Hibbard.

Orangutan granted legal rights in Argentina
An Argentine court has granted "habeas corpus" to a female orangutan at the Buenos Aires Zoo and recognised basic rights for her as a "non-human individual" to live in semi-freedom with other large primates.

Rescue an 'owl-ing success'
A rare native bird has been released back into the wild a month on from a stormy rescue by a Hamilton police officer.

'Harrowing' neglect: cats imprisoned
An Auckland woman who kept 50 cats living in disgusting conditions with serious infections and ailments has been sentenced for her neglect.

Tears over stolen guinea pigs
Tears have flowed at a Mosgiel kindergarten the week before Christmas after thieves stole two guinea pigs, beloved pets for five years.

Fightback after years of exploitation
In the long story of the Hauraki Gulf, humans have been in the picture for mere moments.

Talk to the Animals: Wigs for dogs and other weird animal services
There is an astonishing array of goods and services available for pets. With some trepidation, Sally Hibbard set out to find the strangest of them.

Teen killed in Queensland shark attack
A far north Queensland community is grieving the death of an 18-year-old man who was attacked by a shark in front of shocked friends.

Actress sued for riding horse
For those who didn’t know, Zooey Deschanel is an enthusiastic equestrian, who has competed in numerous competitions.

Micro-chips keep pets safe
Losing a pet can be tough for both the animal and its owner, so the SPCA is once again pushing the importance of having pets micro-chipped.

Police apologise for dog shooting
A man whose dog was chased by police, pepper sprayed and unlawfully shot dead has received an official apology.

10 best science stories of 2014
From potential taxes on sugary drinks to the ancestry of our kiwi, science has offered plenty of headlines this year.

Monkey trouble holds up Pirates 5
Filming for Pirates of the Caribbean 5 could be delayed, all thanks to a bit of monkey business in Australian quarantine.

Shark warning for Perth beachgoers
Perth beachgoers are being urged to take extra care after a spate of shark sightings.

Shark attack policy like 'Jaws'
A shark attack expert says Western Australia's policy is like the Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Jaws'.

Talk to the Animals: Top animal news stories for 2014
There was no shortage of animal stories making news this past year, though sadly most have not been especially positive.

Grumpy Cat's mega millions
With a relentless look of malevolence Grumpy Cat is not exactly cute. But her owner believes she's "unstoppable".

Why you should rescue a cat
Bridget Foxx-Parr discovers that giving an unwanted cat a second chance has unforeseen benefits.

Why pet insurance pays off
Owning a pet is a two-way relationship. They give people pleasure during the good times, but you have to take care of them when they fall ill.

Talk to the Animals: Presents for pets
They say Christmas is all about the children, however if it happens that your 'children' are of the furry variety that's no reason to leave them off Santa's list.

Military show moved for rare baby birds
A pair of nesting rare birds has forced an Auckland museum to move a live action event in order to protect the endangered chicks.

Bieber 'abandons' his third pet
Justin Bieber is reported to have "abandoned" his third pet, an adorable puppy called Karma.

Snacks in a box get the wag
Tails are wagging across the country as New Zealand's first treat delivery service for dogs is unleashed.