New research, which measures the positive and negative emotional states in dogs, shows that man’s best friend can now be defined as a ‘pessimist’ or as an ‘optimist’.

If spending hot summer days in a fur coat doesn't appeal, then spare a thought for the cats, dogs and other furry creatures that don't have any option as temperatures rise.

A golden retriever has been rescued after being trapped down a hole on the West Coast for five days.

The amazing story of a cat that travelled more than 200 kilometres and turned up at the Gisborne SPCA after going missing four years earlier has come to a very happy ending.

Images are extracted from Crap Taxidermy by Kat Su, RRP $19.99, available 30 September where all good books are sold.

Graphic content warning: A 22-year old man has admitted to animal cruelty charges in the Greymouth District Court.

A foal is turning heads not because of its lineage but for its rare white colour.

An inquiry is underway how it took zoo staff more than 15 minutes to reach the scene of an incident where a young man was killed by a white tiger.

Tauranga has been put on the celebrity-pooch map after global superstar Lady Gaga bought a month's worth of dog food from a Tauranga company.

A live scorpion has been destroyed after being found in the tent of a traveller returning to Auckland from Mexico.

Stories about lizards hidden in underpants and monkeys strapped to midriffs may cause some amusement, but is a much more serious issue.

A scorpion has been destroyed after being found inside the tent of a traveller coming back into Auckland from Mexico at Auckland Airport.

Two Reefton women who were caught in the bush as 1080 poison rained from the sky last summer are now both reporting ill health.

A Northern Territory goose hunter fought off a crocodile by wrestling it and poking it in the eyes, police say.

Volunteers have gone into South Island back country looking for white-tailed deer which may have been killed by a Department of Conservation 1080 poison drop.

New Zealand scientists hope to discover what makes 350kg deep sea beast tick. Watch a live stream of the examination.

Fiordland crested penguin Munro is making the most of the spring sunshine.

Scientists will soon examine an intact colossal squid for the first time in six years.

A man is being hunted by police after he was filmed apparently dumping a dead puppy in a Christchurch creek.

A dogs' home in northern England says it is "overwhelmed" after an online appeal raised 1 million ($2m) in 24 hours from more than 110,000 donations.

Man's best friend is more closely aligned to humans than many dog owners may realise.

Hotels are now offering special packages for pampered pooches, writes Sarah Marshall.

Ever wanted to meet a kiwi up close? Auckland Zoo is offering a chance to do just that with a behind-the-scenes kiwi experience.

There's been a proliferation of pre-election political panels in the run-up to this election - more than I can remember, which is a healthy sign in our democracy.

The man killed by a shark at Byron Bay in New South Wales joked with his parents during their last conversation about the risk sharks posed.