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Britons are being urged to put out food and water for hedgehogs as the heatwave leaves the nation's prickly visitors hungry, dehydrated and struggling to survive. The RSPCA has revealed admissions to its wildlife centres have soared by 56 per cent compared with the same period last year, while wildlife experts at Buckinghamshire's renowned St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital say the prolonged dry weather is making it increasingly difficult for hedgehogs to find the insects, wor

More than 2.5 million animals were used in scientific procedures in Great Britain last year, prompting renewed calls for the Government to speed up plans to phase out animal testing. New Home Office figures show there were 2,537,507 uses of animals in laboratories during 2025, a 4% fall compared with the previous year. While campaigners welcomed the slight reduction, they warned the pace of change remains "painfully slow" and could leave animal experiments continuing for deca

Dog owners are being urged not to let familiarity breed complacency as Britain bakes in its third heatwave of the summer, with a leading vet warning that most cases of potentially fatal heatstroke happen during everyday walks and games, not in hot cars. Former RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Caroline Allen says many owners are still putting their pets at unnecessary risk by sticking to normal routines. While the dangers of leaving dogs in hot vehicles are well known, Dr Al

A rescue dog who spent his entire life chained to the ground has celebrated the happiest birthday of his life, with presents, treats and the freedom to run across open fields. Scooby, who turned 13 this week, marked his first birthday since finding a loving forever home by enjoying a visit to a secure dog-friendly field, where he bounded across the grass, played freely and tucked into special birthday treats. The scenes were a world away from the life he endured for more than

Britain's first official Gull Ranger has been hailed as a blueprint for the rest of the UK, with the RSPCA urging councils across England and Wales to follow Scotland's lead in helping people live more peacefully alongside one of the nation's most divisive wild animals. The animal welfare charity says the pioneering role, created to educate the public and reduce conflict between people and gulls, should inspire more coastal towns and cities to adopt positive solutions rather

A miniature pig farm is preparing for a bumper baby boom, with two expectant mums due to give birth at any moment, and thousands of pig lovers around the world are eagerly waiting for the first glimpse of the new arrivals. Staff at Kew Little Pigs Farm in Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire are keeping a round-the-clock watch on pregnant pigs Jilly and Venus as they await the arrival of what they hope will be healthy litters of piglets over the coming days. The team says the welfar

A campaign to ensure no one is forced to choose between a roof over their head and their beloved pet has been raised in the House of Commons, as MPs called on the Government to expand pet-friendly homelessness provision across the country. During questions today, Ian Lavery, MP for Blyth and Ashington, urged ministers to back the Street Paws No One Left Outside campaign, highlighting the impossible choices faced by many people experiencing homelessness. He told the Commons: "

More than seven in 10 domestic abuse victims say their pets have been threatened as campaigners urge Government to act Mark Randell, Annette Bramley and lawyer Catherine Haworth The brutal murder of a young woman whose pets had already been tortured and killed by her future killer has become the driving force behind growing calls for a new law to better protect both animals and people. Holly Bramley was just 26 when she was murdered by her husband. Before killing Holly, her p

RSPCA officer scales towering waste plant after parent birds become trapped outside sealed building Two baby pigeons have been rescued from the top of a 50-metre-high crane inside a £500 million waste incinerator after their parents were prevented from reaching them when the building was sealed for testing. The tiny squabs were discovered deep inside a ventilation pipe at the new Enfinium waste plant in West Bromwich, where their parents had fashioned a makeshift nest from di

Former Norfolk MP questions new protections as Suffolk backs action for hares Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed a lively House of Lords debate on introducing a closed season for hares, with peers from across the political spectrum pressing for action and Defra Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock revealing that she has "a cunning plan" to secure long-awaited protections. Opening the debate, Lord Randall of Uxbridge highlighted the long delay in delivering protections and

Three tiny Pomeranians who spent years living among around 120 dogs and had never experienced something as simple as a walk outdoors are among the rescue animals set to benefit from a major new animal welfare campaign. The dogs, Paula, Pearl and Podge, are currently being cared for at Gloucestershire's Teckels Animal Sanctuaries after being rescued from the overcrowded household, where they are believed to have spent between eight and 11 years of their lives. Their story has

As soaring household bills continue to squeeze family budgets, an increasing number of Britons are turning to an unlikely alternative to traditional pets: pigs. While dogs remain the nation's favourite companion animal, rising veterinary fees, insurance premiums, grooming costs and pet food bills are prompting some animal lovers to think outside the kennel. According to industry estimates, the average dog can cost owners around £250 a month once food, insurance, routine healt

As thousands of British families prepare to relocate overseas, embark on long-haul adventures or take extended breaks abroad this summer, many pet owners face a daunting question: how can you ensure your dog or cat enjoys a safe and comfortable journey by air? For many, the prospect of a beloved pet travelling on an aircraft sparks anxiety. Images of pets being separated from their owners and travelling in the cargo hold can be unsettling. Yet veterinary experts say that mode

A beagle puppy dismissed as "too gentle" to become a hunting dog has finally found happiness after spending more than a year trapped alone in a filthy makeshift enclosure. Parker is happy now in his new home Parker, a young beagle from rural North Carolina, was rescued after animal welfare workers spent months persuading his owner to give him up and allow him the chance of a better life. The timid dog had been confined to a dilapidated pen constructed from cinder blocks, chic

The election of Andy Burnham as MP for Makerfield has been warmly welcomed by North-West animal welfare campaigners, including a family whose opposition to blood sports stretches back generations to Manchester's Downing Street. A beautiful fox, Dr Jane Washington-Evans and Andy Burham Dr Jane Washington-Evans, speaking on behalf of hunt monitoring group Wildlife Guardian, said Mr Burnham's dramatic return to Parliament had reignited hopes of long-promised reforms on trail hun

A tiny Buckinghamshire piglet is taking his first tentative steps towards becoming a celebrity therapy pig under the watchful eye of one of the country's most experienced pig trainers. Dougie, a young miniature pig at Kew Little Pigs in Old Amersham, has begun learning how to walk on a lead as part of his training to become a travelling ambassador for pigs. The youngster is being guided through his lessons by animal trainer Amelia Johns, 19, with plenty of encouragement from

A photographer had a lucky escape after nearly walking into an abandoned guardhouse - only for a sloth bear to emerge moments later having made it its home. Mark Meth-Cohn, 67, had been searching for tigers in Ranthambore National Park in northwestern India when he spotted movement inside the derelict building as he was leaving the reserve. Unaware of what was inside, the group was about to approach the structure when the unexpected occupant revealed itself. “We were on the w

A Ukrainian lawyer who has spent years helping bring animal abusers to justice has been recognised with one of the animal welfare sector's highest honours. Maryna Surkova, President of the Association of Animal Protection Organisations of Ukraine (AZOU), was awarded a prestigious Naturewatch Foundation Challenge Coin during a ceremony in Kyiv on 9 June in recognition of her work strengthening animal protection laws and supporting investigations into animal cruelty offences. T

Ministers are facing fresh calls to strengthen legal protections for Britain's dwindling red squirrel population, amid warnings the iconic native mammal could disappear from much of mainland England within a generation. Red squirrel: Credit - David Knighton A national campaign backed by more than 83,000 supporters is urging the Government to grant red squirrels the same level of legal protection currently afforded to beavers, arguing the move could be achieved within months t

Nearly 600 people gathered in Bournemouth on Sunday for what organisers say was the largest National Animal Rights Day event held anywhere in the world for the third consecutive year. The annual event, which forms part of the global National Animal Rights Day movement, saw 230 people take part in a silent memorial procession through the town centre before joining a day-long Life Festival celebrating compassionate living, veganism and animal protection. Participants assembled