Larry the tabby cat, who holds the official title Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, has lived at 10 Downing Street since 2011 — quietly surviving six changes of Prime Minister along the way. While politicians come and go, Larry remains the one fixed point at Number 10. A small reminder that some residents simply outlast the news cycle.
A vet has put a specific number on it: once temperatures pass a certain point, walking your dog stops being routine and starts being risky.. A timely reminder as the UK heats up this week
West Midlands Police has named its newest litter of eight Belgian Malinois puppies after England's World Cup squad — Jude, Nico, Morgan, Rogers, Declan, Saka, Ezri and Jordan are all just four and a half weeks old. With the pups eventually progressing through training to become fully fledged police dogs. Big paws to fill, but they've got the right names for it.
From Toto the giant tortoise roaming the grounds of the Shangri-La in Mauritius to Teddy the Shetland pony stabled at The Goring — one of London's most distinguished hotels and a royal favourite — the Daily Mail has rounded up the resident animals living their best lives at some of the world's most extraordinary properties. A lovely read, and a reminder that pet humanisation reaches rather further than the orthopaedic dog bed.
A pet adoption app called Only Rescues — which connects prospective owners exclusively with rescue animals rather than breeders or pet shops — has won a 2026 Innovation Award. At a time when rescue centres are reporting record surrender numbers and a surge in dogs with behavioural problems, an app designed to make rescue adoption easier and more accessible feels timely. Technology doing something genuinely useful in the pet world.
The British Veterinary Association is advising that over the counter flea treatments should be banned, with vets concerned that ineffective products are contributing to resistance while pet owners believe their animals are protected when they may not be. A significant story from the BBC — and one that connects directly to our own investigation into fake and counterfeit flea treatments already reaching UK pets.
Netflix is bringing Scooby-Doo back as a live-action series and the Hollywood Reporter has the first look at the dog playing the world's most famous Great Dane. No word yet on whether he'll be required to talk, drive a van or solve mysteries — but he's already nailed the most important part. A lighter one for a Monday evening.
An Oxfordshire woman found herself with rather more guinea pigs than she'd planned for after an unexpected population explosion in her shed. A local charity has stepped in to rehome more than 50 of them. Funny — but also a reminder that guinea pigs breed with remarkable enthusiasm and are far more of a commitment than many owners realise when they buy that first pair. Worth reading before you say yes to the children.
Dedicated pet bedrooms, feeding stations, grooming corners and now — yes — pet bathrooms. The Guardian explores the growing trend of designing living spaces specifically around our animals' needs. Funny, yes. But also a neat illustration of exactly how far pet humanisation has travelled — from a blanket in the utility room to an interior design category of its own. We have a few thoughts on that.
Vets and animal professionals are raising serious concerns that poorly socialised puppies bought during the Covid pandemic are behind a dramatic rise in dangerous dog incidents in the UK. The dogs are now adults — and the consequences of rushed pandemic purchases and disrupted socialisation windows are becoming impossible to ignore. An important story from Vet Times that deserves wider attention.
The Guardian has put together their pick of the best dog harnesses on the US market, covering fit, safety and the case for harnesses over collars. Good timing — we published our own overview of the best dog harnesses this week, with a hands-on Fergal review in the pipeline. Consider this essential reading while you wait.
A new survey of 1,400 US pet owners found that when household budgets come under pressure, pet health and wellness care is the last thing to go — with only 5% willing to cut it, compared to 57% who'd sacrifice dining out first. The research confirms what the pet industry has long suspected: for many owners, pet spending is now non-negotiable. The question is whether UK owners feel the same way. Given what we're seeing in the British market, the answer is probably yes.
Royal Kennel Club figures show French Bulldog registrations have dropped 37% year on year, with Pugs down 43% — just 126 registered in the first three months of 2026, down from a peak of over 54,000 in 2021. Vets are welcoming the trend. The picture, though, is more complicated than it first appears.
Home security cameras were designed to catch burglars. What they're actually catching is cats. A BBC report from Lincolnshire reveals the nightly kitchen raids, counter surfing and general chaos that unfolds the moment owners go to bed — and the owners who had absolutely no idea. Funny, but also a reminder of just how much goes on in our homes when we're not watching.
Clement was found abandoned in Romania, attacked and left for dead. Volunteers nursed him back to health, and he eventually made his way to Norfolk — where he is now a certified therapy dog bringing comfort to elderly residents at a care home near Norwich. A beautiful story, and a reminder that rescue dogs don't just find a second chance — sometimes they spend it giving something back. We published our dogs with jobs feature today — Clement would have fitted right in.
When Jock, a seven-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, broke free during a walk in Northumberland and vanished into dense undergrowth, his owner — who had relied on Jock's companionship throughout his cancer treatment. Three days of searching by foot, bike and quad bike followed, with farmers, gamekeepers and neighbours joining the hunt. It took a thermal drone ten minutes to find him. Another remarkable example of the technology quietly transforming how we find lost pets — a story we've been following on the Doogle.
When the CMA published its sweeping review of the veterinary market earlier this year, the question was who would move first. A small practice in Gloucestershire is now claiming that title — becoming the first in the UK to be independently recognised as fully compliant with the CMA's incoming transparency requirements. A quiet but significant moment in the story of how veterinary care in Britain is changing.
Japan has always had a special relationship with cats — they outnumber dogs as pets, the imperial family owns some, and Tokyo even has its own designated 'cat town'. Now a new report has put a number on it: cats are expected to generate $18.8 billion in value to the Japanese economy this year alone. A fascinating window into pet humanisation taken to its logical extreme
Scientists have now pinpointed the specific genetic variations responsible for the breathing difficulties that affect Pugs, French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds — and are calling for restrictions on breeding dogs with these traits. Important reading if you own or are considering a flat-faced breed
The Kennel Club's latest figures reveal which breeds are climbing the charts — and the Whippet's rise is one of the more surprising stories
Eight guinea pigs found roaming loose in Jersey with no owner in sight. The JSPCA stepped in — but the mystery of where they came from remains unsolved.
With a heatwave hitting the UK this weekend, knowing how to keep your dog safe and cool isn't optional. The BBC covers the basics, when and when not to walk your dog, warning signs of heatstroke and what to do to keep your pets cool. Don't wait until it's an emergency to read this one.
The Telegraph has pulled together expert advice from vets, breeders and trainers on everything from behaviour and diet to grooming and insurance — a solid read covering a lot of ground. For a deeper dive into any of these subjects, you're already in the right place
Would you pay £50,000 to bring your dog back? More people are. The Independent reports on the rise of pet cloning in the UK — and we'll have our own inside story on this one very soon
BBC Countryfile has named the 10 most beautiful dog breeds in the world — the Saluki leads the way but we suspect the comments section will have strong opinions about what's been left out. Does your dog make the cut as a supermodel?
Last week Dogstronomy founded by Ornella Del Prado, opened in Lyon serving daily changing fresh menus, nutritionally calibrated by vets, that would embarrass most bistros with Sunday brunches and birthday cakes on offer too!
The Guardian is covering the problem of counterfeit flea treatments being sold online - products that look identical to genuine brands but contain dangerous unregulated chemicals. With pets lives at risk, this is essential reading for every owner who buys pet medicines online
Volunteers on the Isle of Wight ae using drone technology to help find missing dogs - a brilliant example of community spirit and tech working together for pet owners when it matters most
Vets themselves are now asking how the profession should respond to the rising tide of pet health misinformation online. This piece from Vet Times is worth reading alongside our own investigation into how pet owners are increasingly turning to social media.
A landmark investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority has concluded that pet owners have been paying over the odds for vet services - and the regulator is now forcing the industry to change