The relationship between dog and owner often feels like a bond as deep and strong as blood. Emily Writes met five families whose dogs have a special role in their lives. On Gaia Bellini’s first birthday she had a photoshoot with her 90-year-old great-grandmother. It was a gift from her mum Olivia. Gaia’s hair was … Read more
Auckland councillor Cathy Casey sizes up what life is like for the city’s dogs and their owners – and finds there’s plenty of room for improvement. In the world’s great cities, dogs are well integrated into everyday public life. Amsterdam has some of the world’s most liberal dog policies and everywhere a Parisian goes, a … Read more
People aren’t the only ones who can partake in pot. Mirjam Guesgen delves into the world of weed for pets. What’s a weed pet product? Medicines, supplements and foods for pets (mostly dogs and cats) made from parts of the cannabis plant. What do they look like? There’s a veritable bounty of weed products for … Read more
As New Zealand adjusts to a month of lockdown, many pet owners have questions about their furry friends. Alex Casey had a chat with the SPCA – here’s what she learned. AC: My cat had a disgusting abscess on his tail and now has to get his stitches out. Can I still take him to … Read more
Why do so many dogs in New Zealand end up with the same name? And is there anything that explains the remarkable continued popularity of big bounding labradors? Radio NZ’s Kate Newton investigates. Our dogs are diversifying as rapidly as we are, and greyhounds, schnauzers and shih tzus are all on the rise. But clinging … Read more
Is it worth forking out for deluxe snacks for your pooch, or are budget brands the business? Critic reviews eight dog food varieties, rating each on appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, taste and the all-important ‘aura’. This article was first published in the Otago University student magazine Critic Te Arohi. Luxurious images and buzz words like “succulent” and “delicate” … Read more
How do we expect vets to care for our animals when we don’t always care for our vets? Ellen Sinclair reports on the struggles of an industry that is far more complex than it seems. Veterinarians and vet nurses commit their lives to helping our beloved pets, but few animal lovers are aware how rife … Read more
Animal rescue organisations in New Zealand are overworked and overflowing with stray animals in need of a caring home, Ellen Sinclair reports. The SPCA takes in over 40,000 animals every year, and with rescue organisations all over the country full with abandoned, dumped or stray pets, New Zealand has a serious surplus of animals in … Read more
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, Alex Casey borrows a dog and goes on a magical journey. Look, I had extremely high hopes for the day that pets were finally allowed on trains. I wanted guinea pigs wearing tiny backpacks. I wanted to see a … Read more
In what is being touted as “paw-some” news by AT, domestic pets will be allowed on trains in Auckland from Sunday 16 June. Here are all your burning questions answered. First of all, what the hell is a so-called domestic pet? Domestic pets are defined as “tame animals that live inside the customer’s home” by … Read more
Breeds such as pugs and bulldogs are bred to encourage a facial deformity that can significantly impair a dog’s health, welfare and happiness. Vets have a moral obligation not to support such cruelty, write the University of Sydney’s Paul McGreevy and Anne Fawcett. Veterinarians have a professional and moral obligation to reduce or prevent any … Read more
Alex Casey scours the internet for the top tips to keep your pets cool in this horrendous heatwave. I don’t know about your cats, but mine are pissed off. Zelda in particular. Where her brother Link, cold-blooded Prince of Darkness, spends his blistering summer days lying in the hot water cupboard like the anarchic goth … Read more
Boutique collars, handmade toys and speciality treats packed with the best ingredients you could ask for. What’s driving the new pet economy? Jihee Junn talks to the small business owners cashing in on the pet care craze. New Zealand is a nation of animal lovers, so much so that there are almost as many pets … Read more
New research has revealed the real reason why cat tongues are so damn rough. Have you ever been licked by a cat? If so you’ll know the feline tongue feels more like sandpaper than satin. A cat’s tongue is covered in hundreds of sharp, scoop-shaped spines made of keratin that spring into action during grooming. … Read more
The behaviour modifiers are inhumane and should be banned, writes Dr Helen Beattie of the New Zealand Veterinary Association The New Zealand Veterinary Association supports the use of humane training methods, therefore we are against the use of shock collars other than under exceptional circumstances. We believe this strongly, which is why we formalised this view … Read more
We asked, you delivered: shocking photos of the destruction and trauma visited upon the cats, dogs and trampolines of Auckland overnight. A largely unheralded storm tore through Auckland last night, downing trees, power lines and much of the city’s electricity grid. Cats were scared, dogs were terrified, and many a trampoline was found up a … Read more
Today TradeMe announced that it would ban the sale of pugs, French bulldogs, and British bulldogs from its website. Veterinarian and New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) companion animal spokesperson Rochelle Ferguson looks at the state of cat and dog breeding welfare in New Zealand and what can be done to improve it. The recent TradeMe … Read more
Rent Week continues with Alex Casey on the woes of owning a pet as a renter, and ways you can convince landlords that furry flatmates are fine. Here is a concise list of things I have managed to do inside my home as a human adult woman: 1) Tripped down the stairs holding a giant … Read more