http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-micro-pig-1827737.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-micro-pig-1827737.html ]]> <p> <b>Who are these little porkers?</b> </p> <p> They're micro pigs, and no, your eyes do not deceive you – they really are quite wee. Unlike pigs that are bred for bangers, micro pigs are kept as loving, adorable pets who are actively encouraged to stay small, typically reaching a height of about 16 inches. We can safely say that this is one little piggy that won't be going to market. </p> Features Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-my-dachshund-doesnt-like-my-housekeeper-1827738.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-my-dachshund-doesnt-like-my-housekeeper-1827738.html <p> <b>I have noticed something strange about my dachshund. I don't think he likes my housekeeper. He seems to be frightened of her, and I don't know why. </b></p> <p> <b>Jane, London </b> </p> Features Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/pair-to-stand-trial-over-postman-dog-attack-1829623.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/pair-to-stand-trial-over-postman-dog-attack-1829623.html <p> A man and his daughter will face trial next year accused of breaching the Dangerous Dogs Act after two rottweilers attacked a postman. </p> Crime Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:37:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/dog-unhurt-after-80ft-mineshaft-plunge-1829323.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/dog-unhurt-after-80ft-mineshaft-plunge-1829323.html <p> A cocker spaniel named Nell fell 80ft down a mineshaft and escaped unscathed, the RSPCA said today. </p> News Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:46:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-rescue-dog-1823697.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-rescue-dog-1823697.html ]]> <p> <b>Who's this lovely lady?</b> </p> <p> This is Claudia, a seven-year-old Collie who is currently enjoying a temporary sojourn at the Dogs Trust's centre in Kenilworth, but where she'd really like to be is in a safe and loving home. </p> Features Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-my-cat-wont-go-outside-and-i-dont-know-why-1823698.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-my-cat-wont-go-outside-and-i-dont-know-why-1823698.html <p> <b>I recently moved house with my cat, Felix, and our new place has a garden. He won't go outside and I don't know why. How can I persuade him to get out and about? </b></p> <p> <b>Graham, via email </b></p> Features Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/paul-ogradys-dog-buster-dies-1824592.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/paul-ogradys-dog-buster-dies-1824592.html ]]> <p> TV host Paul O'Grady is mourning the death of his faithful sidekick, Buster. </p> News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:56:41 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/dog-breeder-jailed-over-dead-puppies-under-stairs-1823614.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/dog-breeder-jailed-over-dead-puppies-under-stairs-1823614.html <p> A dog breeder was jailed for 20 weeks yesterday and banned from keeping animals for life after being found with 15 dead and dying puppies in suitcases in a locked cupboard under her stairs. </p> News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:50 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-appeal-over-savage-attack-on-guide-dog-1823587.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-appeal-over-savage-attack-on-guide-dog-1823587.html <p> This shocking video shows a blind woman's guide dog being savaged by a terrier-type dog at a railway station. </p> Crime Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:13:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/obese-dalmatian-man-banned-from-keeping-dogs-1823488.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/obese-dalmatian-man-banned-from-keeping-dogs-1823488.html <p> A man has been banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after allowing his Dalmatian to become chronically obese. </p> News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:28 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/mystery-over-prize-budgie-deaths-at-show-1821557.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/mystery-over-prize-budgie-deaths-at-show-1821557.html <p> Bird lovers and exhibitors watched on in horror as 38 prize budgies keeled over and died during a show. </p> News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/pet-charity-pdsa-makes-pound1m-from-tax-back-scheme-1820173.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/pet-charity-pdsa-makes-pound1m-from-tax-back-scheme-1820173.html <p> Veterinary charity PDSA has announced it is £1 million better off thanks to its supporters signing up to tax-back scheme Gift Aid. </p> News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:39:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/man-jailed-for-drowning-partners-dog-1818589.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/man-jailed-for-drowning-partners-dog-1818589.html <p> A man has been jailed after drowning his partner's dog in the kitchen sink while drunk, the RSPCA said today. </p> Crime Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:09:17 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/demands-grow-for-weapon-dogs-to-be-brought-to-heel-1817716.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/demands-grow-for-weapon-dogs-to-be-brought-to-heel-1817716.html ]]> <p>The number of dangerous dogs used by criminals is soaring, sparking an epidemic of dog-related crime which has seen the number of animals seized by police nearly double in a year, and a three-fold increase in people needing hospital treatment for bites.</p> News Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/firefighters-in-sixhour-rescue-of-pet-duck-1817571.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/firefighters-in-sixhour-rescue-of-pet-duck-1817571.html <p> Firefighters "went beyond the call of duty" during the six-hour rescue of a pet duck from a water pipe, its grateful owner said today. </p> News Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:48:40 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/win-a-doggy-weekend-away-1816414.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/win-a-doggy-weekend-away-1816414.html ]]> <p> Dogs have been man's best friend for centuries, whether it's helping him catch wild animals to feed the family, defending his house against burglars, or just offering a shoulder to cry on and a pair of understanding ears when times are tough. But did you know that the majority of dog owners say their four-legged friend has also played a major part in helping them talk to strangers, make new friends and even find true love? </p> News Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:10:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/cyberpets-all-creatures-great-and-virtual-1814133.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/cyberpets-all-creatures-great-and-virtual-1814133.html ]]> <p>They don't bite, they don't make a mess on the carpet and they don't cost anything to feed. The appeal of virtual animals is clear. Both cute and attentive, they treat you as if you are the centre of their world – without any vet's fees. Video games involving animals are perfect family fun, and come in many forms. Virtual pets have been particularly popular – over 70 million Tamagotchi toys, the Japanese handheld digital pet, have been sold, while the Nintendogs series, in which the player looks after a virtual puppy on their DS, has been a major seller for Nintendo since its launch in 2005. </p> Features Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/luxury-hotels-for-vip-dogs-beat-strays-crisis-1813645.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/news/luxury-hotels-for-vip-dogs-beat-strays-crisis-1813645.html <p>Taipei's dogs are living it up at hotels, complete with VIP suites and pools, that aim to ease the problem of strays that has plagued the city for decades.</p> News Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-is-it-ok-to-house-a-rabbit-and-a-chinchilla-together-1810969.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/your-questions-is-it-ok-to-house-a-rabbit-and-a-chinchilla-together-1810969.html <p> <b>Q. My boyfriend and I are thinking about moving in together. He has a rabbit and I have a chinchilla. All the places we've seen are quite small so to save on space we're thinking about housing them together. Would that be all right? Sharon, via e-mail</b> </p> Features Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-pinktoed-tarantula-1810982.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pets/features/pet-of-the-week-the-pinktoed-tarantula-1810982.html Features Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000