Latest fromPets & Animals

Five Inspirational Animals to Brighten Your Day
You may have already heard of Hooch, an abused French mastiff announced as this year's Hero Dog of the Year by the American Humane

What to give your pet for Christmas
You are by no means alone if Bella and Missy are on your Christmas present list - and they're not your children. The furry members

Critically endangered kakapo on increase
Kakapo numbers have increased 20 per cent after the most successful breeding season in 25 years.

This little piggy had lunch with police
A police officer and pig have become unlikely friends.

Politician taken out by squirrel
An anti-squirrel council board member ended up with some nasty injuries courtesy of his arch-nemesis.

When cats re-enact famous movie moments
A cat-loving couple are sending the Internet into a frenzy by re-enacting famous movie stills with the help of their cats.

Stunning pics in wildlife photo contest
Admirers of wildlife photography have the chance to vote for five top images from around the world.

Photos: Stunning wildlife shots from around the world
Check out these entries in the People's Choice category of this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition run by the Natural History Museum in London. You can see the full gallery and vote on their website.

Helping good dogs get home
International groups seek volunteer travellers to accompany animals to their new overseas homes.

Quake lamb rescued from deep crevasse
First there were "quake cows", now a lamb has been plucked to safety in Canterbury.

Woman who starved dogs sentenced
Pamela De Vere left two dogs to starve in a garage without food or water. It was the second time she had ill-treated animals.

Watch: Broad daylight Kiwi encounter astonishes hikers
Supplied by Anya Bell. The iconic bird was spotted on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park.

Five DIY Toys Your Cat Will Love
Cat owners know the feeling of coming home with a brand-spanking new toy for a beloved pet, only to have the animal favour the box

Kea killed in 1080 poison drops
Drops of the controversial pest-control poison 1080 have killed at least two dozen endangered kea in recent years.

Wellington Zoo's tiger put down
Wellington Zoo's 20 year old Sumatran Tiger was euthanised today.

Watch: How did the penguins cross the road?
People love to watch them shake their tails and waddle. Oamaru's little blue penguins have become international sensations with a

A little waddle and shake goes global
Oamaru's little blue penguins have become international sensations with a video of them using an underpass clocking thousands of views.

Hope the rhino dies
A South African rhino who was named Hope after she survived a 2015 attack by poachers who hacked off her horns and part of her face has died.

Five unlikely pet BFFs
Boots the Kitten Nanny Boots the 'Kitten Nanny' is a living legend. One of around 300 dogs found abandoned in New Orleans after Hurricane

Woof and Walk raises funds for assistance dogs
The pups were out in force today as dogs from around Auckland were taken for a stroll at One Tree Hill in the name of charity.

Hundreds join Walnut's last walk
Dog owner "flabbergasted" by the response to his call for people to join him and Walnut on their last walk together.

Dogs' Day Out barking fun (+pics&video)
131116bf12.JPG PHOTO/BEN FRASERSUPPORT: The Rotorua community and their four-legged friends had a great time at the VETPlus Dogs'

Detector dogs ready for the frontline
Four-legged crime fighters are the latest recruits to stop drugs, illicit items and cash from being smuggled into the country.

Is this is a cat, a dog or something else?
Everyone loves an optical illusion, but the latest visual tease to leave the internet confused is something a little different.

Watch: Mum shields son from dog attack
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT: Shocking surveillance footage has captured the moment a mother managed to save her 2-year-old son.

Dog rescued after days stuck on cliff ledge
The dog was spotted by a rescue helicopter on Saturday morning after going over the top of the hill on Tuesday.

Charges dropped against Cecil hunter
A Zimbabwean high court has dropped charges against the professional hunter, Theo Bronkhorst, who led the expedition that killed prized lion Cecil.

How dogs became man's best friend
Genetic evidence suggests that man's best friend has been enjoying food scraps from humans since the earliest days of living together, even adapting to digest changes in human diet.