Latest from Pets & Animals

Chimps make friends like humans do - study

The ability to make friends with those who have similar personality traits dates back to when chimps and humans were on similar evolutionary paths, scientists say.

Controversial shark policy comes under fire at rallies

"Cull pollies not sharks" urged one of the placards waved by the thousands of protesters who rallied at the weekend.

Adopt me: Pigeons

The SPCA was given 14 pigeons in September after their previous owner became dismayed at the rate they were breeding.

Resurgence of wolf across Europe

A twig snaps, a crow calls, but nothing moves in the dense pine forests of Spain's Guadarrama mountains.

Adopt me: George Louie

Adopt me: Indy

Indy was given to the SPCA after her previous owners moved from a country property to a small central home where there was not enough room for her to play.

Diver films rare orca encounter

A man filming his diving expedition in Northland caught more than crayfish when he came face to face with a pod of orcas.

Talk to the Animals: 8 mistakes dog owners make

Do badly behaved dogs start out that way or are they are helped along by their owners? Animal behaviour expert Sally Hibbard tackles the question.

Horrifying video goes viral

If there was ever a reason not to be nosey, then this video is it. And if you happen to be an arachnophobe, the scenes here are the stuff of your darkest nightmares.

Budgeting for survival of species

Australia is following a scheme introduced in NZ to decide which wildlife should be allowed to die off

Adopt me: Nina

Nina is a 1-year-old cat that prefers living in a quiet atmosphere as she becomes overwhelmed by loud noises.

Looking death in the face pays off

Lying flat on the dirt in a Namibian desert, Stephen Belcher was just 30m away from a hunting leopard.

Adopt me: Cado

Cado is a playful puppy, full of life and energy and always smiling. He came to the SPCA in mid-2013 and is hoping to have an owner by the time 2014 rolls in.

Princess wants decent steer for her 'baby'

Wanted: heavy earth-moving equipment to help rescue Princess Jury's "baby" from the mud.

SPCA: Don't forget your pets

Kiwi's stunning great white pic

Lying on the floor of a research boat off the coast of South Africa in treacherous waters, NZ photographer Chris McLennan knew he had to stay focused.

2013's odd animal tales

A firefighter turned "dog whisperer", the mystery of the South Island black panther and wild otters in Southland all made headlines this year.

Mystery of moggy's origins solved

Researchers have found the earliest case of cat domestication, along with the first direct evidence of how it may have happened.