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Ant and Dec have become the targets of a Halloween campaign accusing I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! of turning animal suffering into entertainment. Animal rights organisation PETA has launched limited-edition costumes depicting the presenting duo, urging viewers to challenge the ITV programme’s use of animals in its Bushtucker Trials. The campaign, unveiled to mark the month of Halloween takes aim at challenges involving creatures including frogs, crocodiles, spiders,

An emaciated dog found roaming in fields has been given a second chance by Manchester Dogs’ Home, with specialist heart tests bringing welcome news after eight weeks of care. Mia when she was rescued Mia, a Dogue de Bordeaux thought to be three or four years old, arrived at the rescue desperately underweight and believed to have been abandoned. Two vets at the home detected a heart murmur, prompting further investigation as staff worked to help her regain weight. Registered v

Hedgehogs are set to become stars of Britain’s wallets, but wildlife rescuers say the much-loved animals also need our support this autumn and winter. The prickly garden visitors have been chosen alongside barn owls, buff-tailed bumblebees and Atlantic puffins to feature on the Bank of England’s next series of banknotes. The RSPCA welcomed the announcement, saying their appearance could provide a daily reminder of the wildlife sharing our gardens and countryside. But behind t

A rescue dog who spent his entire life chained outside has celebrated a whole year of freedom, with a special message from actor and animal welfare campaigner Peter Egan. Marisa, Eduardo and Scooby Scooby endured more than 12 years of neglect before finally finding safety and a loving home with campaigner Eduardo Gonçalves and his wife, Marisa, in Gosport, Hampshire. Now, a year after escaping his chain, the affectionate dog has marked the milestone with a greeting from Egan,

A trip to the vet can become an ordeal before an animal has even reached the waiting room. May Yean is giving this advice to animal carers ahead of their next appointment From a cat disappearing at the sight of its carrier to a dog trembling in the car, the warning signs can leave owners dreading appointments. But Salford-based vet May Yean says preparing at home and working with the practice can help make visits calmer for everyone. May, who shares insights into veterinary l

A father and son who used dogs to brutally hunt wildlife have been banned from keeping animals for life after an investigation uncovered videos so upsetting that a judge refused to have them played in court. Bear now has a happy new life (RSPCA) David Stanbury, 54, and his son Jack, 27, admitted offences involving the persecution of deer, foxes and badgers, as well as the mistreatment of dogs used in the attacks. Their crimes were exposed after police seized David’s phone fol

For Tim Giles, helping rescue dog Dash feel safe means giving him space, offering treats and accepting that friendship cannot be rushed. After suffering mistreatment at the hands of men, the frightened pup is deeply uncomfortable around him. But Tim, who runs disabled animal charity Broken Biscuits with his partner Cassie Carney, understands that Dash has every reason to be wary. The couple have recently welcomed dogs rescued from China’s meat trade and puppy farming into the

Pet owners have until tomorrow to have their say on proposed changes to fireworks rules, as animal experts call for stronger protection for frightened dogs and cats. The Government’s consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics closes on Wednesday, 7 October, offering owners an opportunity to explain how explosive celebrations affect their animals. Proposals include reducing the maximum noise level of fireworks available to the public, with louder products reserved for professi

A vibrant portrait of pioneering scientist Dr Jane Goodall has been unveiled at London’s Science Museum to mark the first anniversary of her death. The striking artwork which has been donated to the Science Museum in London The artwork, titled ‘Light of Life Is Forever’ and created by artist Mr Brainwash, has been donated by the Jane Goodall Institute and placed on permanent display, where visitors can see it for free. Friends and fellow animal welfare campaigners gathered to

The IAWPC has taken the fight to save Morocco’s free-roaming dogs to the Labour Party conference, warning that Britain must not pursue World Cup business opportunities while ignoring the mass killing. The International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition, IAWPC, attended the conference in Liverpool to press for government intervention over the fate of up to three million dogs campaigners say could be killed before Morocco co-hosts the 2030 tournament with Spain and Portugal.

Britain’s endangered red squirrels are being let down by a gap in wildlife law that leaves their homes with weaker protection than those of beavers and bats, conservationists have warned. A red squirrel: Credit - David Knighton Campaigners are urging ministers to strengthen safeguards for the native mammals as housing schemes, holiday developments and woodland felling put pressure on some of their remaining strongholds. The warning comes as Save Our Reds CIC publishes a brief

Sausage dogs enjoyed their moment in the spotlight as owners and supporters gathered in Bedfordshire for a celebration of the much-loved breed. The Red Foundation’s Summer Social brought dachshund devotees to Stuart Memorial Hall in Tempsford on Saturday, August 29, for a day of fun that also helped support vulnerable dogs across the UK. Demonstrations, a fun dog show, stalls, a tombola and food and drink formed part of the family-friendly event, with plenty to keep both two-

Britain’s appetite for cheap chicken is fuelling an animal welfare crisis on an unprecedented scale, the RSPCA has warned, with an estimated half a million birds dying on UK farms every week before reaching slaughter. More than 1.1 billion chickens are reared for meat in the UK each year. The charity says around 95 per cent are fast-growing breeds, dubbed “Frankenchickens” by campaigners, whose rapid growth can leave them suffering from heart problems, leg deformities, lamene

At its Lincolnshire base, Broken Biscuits helps dogs facing paralysis, injury and illness, while showing their families that life can still be full of adventures. Teddy Bear using his wheelchair at the Broken Biscuits sanctuary Summer spent six years waiting for someone to choose her. The eight-year-old Labrador, rescued from the dog meat trade in northern China, could not walk and was considered too difficult to rehome. Now in Britain, she is beginning a new chapter with Bro

The Animal News Agency took the fight for animal welfare to the Labour Party conference, urging politicians to act on Morocco’s dog killings, trophy hunting and the barriers facing homeless people with pets. Hayley O'Keeffe and Dr Jane Washington-Evans at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool Founder Hayley O’Keeffe and campaigner Dr Jane Washington Evans attended in support of the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC), the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hu

As darker evenings, wetter walks and firework season approach, a simple activity could give dogs something soothing to focus on: licking. Most dog owners have seen how intently their pet can work on a favourite treat. Offering a small amount of soft food on a textured surface encourages slow, repetitive licking, giving dogs a gentle activity to concentrate on when their surroundings feel unsettled. Andrew Hale, emotional wellbeing expert at Pet Remedy, said: “Licking is a nat

The Italian player and campaigner has become the first footballer to back the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition’s campaign for Morocco’s free roaming dogs. Mario Ferri ‘Il Falco’. Picture: Marco Palmisano/Wikimedia Commons Footballer Mario Ferri, known as “Il Falco” or “The Falcon”, has spoken out about the treatment of free roaming dogs in Morocco, giving animal welfare campaigners their first public supporter from within the game. The Italian travelled t

Three animal rights activists have been found guilty of theft after taking three lambs from King Charles III’s Sandringham estate. Rose Patterson, Sarah Foy and Rosa Sharkey were convicted following a four-day trial at Norwich Crown Court. They are due to be sentenced later today. The women took the lambs, named Sammy, Sunny and Sooty, from Appleton Farm, part of the Sandringham estate, in May 2023. The following day, they held signs outside Windsor Castle reading “I rescued

A young seal is fighting for survival after rescuers found her with a 4kg tangle of fishing net, hooks, twine and metal cutting into her neck. The female grey seal, named Doughnut by the team caring for her, was rescued from Horsey beach in Norfolk on Sunday 20 September. She is receiving emergency treatment at the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre, where staff found a wound three inches deep. Friends of Horsey Seals had been watching Doughnut since early August but had been

Up to nine in ten puppies in the UK may come from outside the licensed breeding system, according to a new investigation that has prompted calls for ministers to act on their promise to “end puppy farming”. Naturewatch Foundation estimates that just 10.5 to 14 per cent of UK puppies come from licensed breeders, leaving an estimated 86 to 89.5 per cent coming from other sources. Those sources may include breeders who are legally exempt from licensing because they fall below th