Latest fromPets & Animals

Katherine Heigl launches pet project
The Knocked Up star announced the specially-designed Just One range on Monday, and she says the funds will benefit US charities working to end animal cruelty via her Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, named in honour of her late brother.

Police called to help penguin on Wellington motorway
A little blue penguin is back where it belongs after causing trouble on a Wellington motorway this morning.

Meet the purr-fect cat burglar
By day Angus the moggy is sweet and relaxed but by night he becomes a mischievous cat - lurking and stalking, prowling the streets, seeking out clothing and nice things to eat.

Flood of kittens stresses SPCA
The Auckland SPCA is being inundated with cats and kittens and is worried it soon may be unable to care for the animals.

Car crash kills more than 20 stray sheep
More than 20 sheep were killed after a car ploughed into a stray flock northeast of Wairoa.

A new healing role for Rotoroa
After 90 years at Western Springs, Auckland Zoo is opening a "show home" for endangered New Zealand species on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Book Review: The Big New Yorker Book Of Dogs
The Big New Yorker Book Of Dogs is big all right: 21cm x 28cm and 395 pages, with a generous smattering of those gloriously sly and sardonic New Yorker cartoons. The content is generally serious in tone.

A doggy lifesaver
Man's best friend has long been a solid companion for many people around the world. But one Kiwi charity is working hard to raise special pups that will act not only as a companion but, in some cases, a lifesaver for dozens of Kiwis with disabilities.

Dogs to be killed by vet not firearm
South Wairarapa District Council has voted to change its policy on shooting unwanted and dangerous dogs, opting for euthanasia by a vet instead.

Auckland Zoo celebrates 90th
Auckland Zoo is turning 90 this year, and so is its biggest fan.

New hope for inbred animals
A University of Canterbury study offers new hope to endangered animals suffering the effects of inbreeding.

Wallabies: Pests, not pets
They may be fluffy and cute but Western Bay residents are being warned wallabies are not pets.

One driving dog still homeless
While adoption offers have been pouring in for last night's two canine stars of Campbell Live, the third driving dog is still homeless.

Brian Rudman: Don't let them banish the birds
A few weeks ago, an injured kaka was rescued from a Queen St gutter and is now in a new home at the Auckland Zoo.

'Swat team' to rescue whales
A "swat team" of whale rescue experts has undertaken an intensive three-day course in freeing whales that have become tangled in ropes and nets.

White kiwi wins hearts
The third white kiwi chick to hatch at Pukaha Mt Bruce may not be making international headlines, but was gathering its own fans at a public feeding this week.

Antarctic hero's 'ill fated' calls
For the past century, since heading the first Australian-led Antarctic expedition, Sir Douglas Mawson has been considered a national hero.

Catriona MacLennan: NZ can drive ending of animal testing
"Why doesn't NZ take a bold step and complement its clean, green image by becoming the first country in the world to ban testing on animals?" asks Catriona MacLennan.

Dogs can drive: here's proof
Three SPCA dogs are learning how to drive in a bid to change public perception on the intelligence of rescue dogs.

Teaching dogs to drive
Auckland SPCA dogs Monty, Porter and Ginny are learning to drive. Video courtesy of SPCA/Driving Dogs

Editorial: Endangering animals for recreational gain repellent
Editorial: The use of animals in such a context should not win the approval of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee.