Gales and heavy rain pounding the North Island have shattered weather records, and winds last night hampered rescue efforts after a mass whale stranding at the northern tip of NZ.

More than 40 of the 80 pilot whales stranded at Spirits Bay have died and the rest will have to be relocated by road because of rough weather conditions.

DOC staff are scrambling to get enough help to save up to 30 whales still stranded at Spirits Bay, north of Kaitaia. At least 43 have died.

The woman who provoked outrage by dumping a cat in a rubbish bin has been charged with two criminal offences, the RSPCA in Britain said today.

A furious Tauranga family are demanding justice after an air rifle attack on their beloved cat left it with three legs.

Ross Allan says his children are distraught after their $1000 Abyssinian moggy was shot dead by a neighbour who thought it was feral.

Helena McAlpine's garden gate is broken and her dog has been roaming the neighbourhood.

In a disaster, cats head for the hills, but dogs stick around, according to SPCA figures out today.

When neighbours complained of the noise and smell emanating from the local SPCA, the council was bound to investigate.

Ancient caves, deadly snakes and hungry crocs - Pamela Wade experienced it all during a trip to Queensland's Capricorn Coast.

A golden retriever puppy needed emergency surgery after cutting off the side of his nose running away in panic when the quake hit.