Latest fromPets & Animals

Want a better night's sleep? Share your bed with a pet
A study reveals improved sleep for those who share their bed with their pet.

SPCA: These four are still waiting
Four dogs are still waiting for homes after being with Auckland's SPCA for more than six months - equating to a seven-year sentence for humans.

'NZ dairy contaminated with cruelty'
A graphic advertisement aimed at shaming New Zealand's dairy industry for its treatment of calves has been put in a leading British newspaper.

The mating dance of the peacock spider
With their flamboyant dress, and fabulous song and dance routines, tiny peacock spiders have captivated the hearts of the internet.

Why cats live longer than dogs
Cool and aloof, the cat will never be known as man's best friend. But its solitary nature may be the key to its long life, say scientists.

Orange is the new cat
Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal has come up with a very cute way to protect cats by dressing them as convicts.

Seal goes Christmas shopping
A seal has made itself at home outside the Westfield Centre in Henderson

Footage captures kiwi destroying robin's nest
A kiwi destroying a robin nest and causing the death of the chicks in it has been caught on camera by a Victoria University of Wellington researcher. The footage, taken at Zealandia over two consecutive nights, shows a little spotted kiwi pushing the robin nest down a slope, pecking the chicks, and returning the next night to tear the nest apart. Supplied/Victoria University

Pets under microscope in bug study
Scientists investigating the rising spread of drug-resistant bugs in our homes have thrown up a hairy potential culprit: our pet pooches and moggies.

Climber frees himself from grizzly jaws
A Scottish climber has been seriously injured in a "terrifying" attack by a grizzly bear in Canada.

Harry's emotional moment with elephant
Photos reveal prince's heartbreak at the suffering of animals in South Africa.

'He seemed hungry and quite curious'
A shark at least 1 metre long shocked and fascinated beach-goers when it cruised through the shallows of a popular Tauranga beach.

Watch: Baby elephant's adorable struggle
A midweek reminder that uphill battles can be overcome.

Ancient tropicbird fossil found
That fossil also happened to come from the same deposits as the world's oldest penguin, Waimanu

Pod of orcas stun rush-hour motorists
Traffic mayhem ensued when the pod of about six or seven orcas were spotted between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki, north of Wellington this afternoon.

Flat white and furry friend
Surrounded by fluffies and long blacks, Woody looked every bit the top cat at the opening of central Auckland's first cat cafe.

Endangered monkey arrives at Wellington Zoo
A rare golden lion tamarin has arrived at the capital's zoo, with keepers hoping the newcomer will settle down and start a family.

Dairy worker at centre of scandal sacked
The slaughterhouse featured on TV One's Sunday programme has insisted that the worker accused of abusing calves was fired well before the show went to air.

Duct taped dog sparks outrage
A woman who bound her dog's mouth to stop it barking is facing police investigation.

Dudes save bald eagle, take selfie
Two Canadian brothers were out hunting when they came across a bald eagle caught in a hunter's trap.

Dogs get physical in cross-country adventure
It's not just gym junkies getting in shape for summer - our beloved four-legged mates are also embracing the never-ending fitness craze.

Watch: 'Dogs’ day out'
It’s not just gym jumkies getting in shape for summer – our beloved four-legged mates are also embracing the never-ending fitness craze. Photographer Michael Craig spent a morning at Muriwai Beach capturing the antics of some very active pooches.

Rare ginger monkey born in zoo
One of the world's rarest species of monkey has a new, bright orange addition.

Giraffe gets off boat, starts road trip
The two-year-old - just under four metres high - left Timaru on a flat-topped truck just before 5.30pm

How much would you pay to get a lost cat back?
A man is offering a hefty reward for the return of his furry friend.

Everyone wants a glimpse of Shira
Residents of Timaru are turning out for a glimpse of young giraffe Shira, who arrived by ship at its port at about 2pm en route from Auckland Zoo to her new home in Christchurch.

Snail threatens multi-billion dollar business
A tiny New Zealand snail is threatening a multi-billion dollar sport fishing economy after it was found in the Great Lakes of North America.