The puppies were found in Heathervale Recreation Ground in New Haw, Addlestone, last Monday (Image: RSPCA)Ms Kitchin added: “Our centres are full to bursting at the moment and, sadly, we’ve seen an increase in the number of animals coming into our care.

One-year-old Bella-Rae Birch died after an attack by her family's American Bulldog in Merseyside (Image: PA)Dr Gaines continued: "People found themselves in a situation where they wanted some companionship, wanted something for their children to look after.

Understandably, pet owners are concerned about the mystery GI illness (Picture: Getty)She said in a BVA blog post: ‘We are aware of a recent spike in cases of dogs falling ill from gastroenteritis-like symptoms in several parts of Yorkshire and North East England.

Three-year-old Ziggy is one of many “pandemic puppies” grappling with separation anxiety as lockdown restrictions ease and their owners return to the office and socialise more – leading to a spike in demand for health and wellness products for pets.

Owen Sharp, the chief executive of the Dogs Trust, said: “Following the boom in pet ownership during the pandemic, which saw millions of us delighting in the companionship of a dog, today’s figures have sadly come as no surprise to us.

Stalking parks in affluent areas and luring puppies out of gardens with treats are among the methods dog thieves are using, campaigners have said, amid suggestions the government is preparing to clamp down on pet abductions.

Dog owners are being warned to be vigilant (Picture: Getty)Campaigners want a new crime of pet abduction to be created so that harsher sentences can be dished out to those prosecuted.

Dog owners should be wary of posting pictures of their pet on social media and leaving them unattended outside shops, police have warned, amid a rising number of dog thefts in the UK.Last year, there was a boom in what were labelled “pandemic puppies” as people stuck at home during lockdown acquired pets to lift their spirits .

Firefighters called to 755 animal incidents in 2020, with cats most commonly in need of help.The number of incidents involving foxes attended by the LFB last year nearly doubled, from 32 rescues in 2019 to 61 in 2020.

The rescue charity Birdline took in 88 birds between March and September, a 70% increase on the same period last year.Well, at least the rescued birds can now be adopted by new owners with more patience.Some parrots don’t like women.

The RSPCA and the Dogs Trust have issued new advice to puppy buyers in England, warning them not to buy unless they have visited the dog with its mother in its home.

Charity the Dogs Trust has warned the pandemic may have caused behavioural problems to develop (Picture: Getty Images / iStockphoto)Dogs have struggled during lockdown with owners reporting an increase in barking and biting.

This week, the American Kennel Club (AKC) released its 2019 registry list, which marked a record-breaking popularity streak for the dog breed.The list also revealed the least-popular dog breed of 2019 - the English foxhound - which placed 193rd.

In the heartwarming video, a Riverside County Animal Services employee named Julie explains that the shelter wanted to thank the community for stepping up in the time of need.

Toby, an 11-year-old black and white cat, has spent 322 days with the RSPCA after being taken in by their Canterbury branch on Christmas Eve 2018.“Toby’s former housemates were re-homed quite quickly,” explained Beth Hixson from the RSPCA Canterbury branch.

“We have been very concerned by the recent cases of leptospirosis in Sydney , affecting dogs in our local area, so have decided to double the number of rat bait stations in public areas and increase inspections to monitor rat activity,” she said.

- Poisonous compounds (strychnine, slug and snail bait) can lead to seizures, which can cause an abnormal increase in body temperature. Hope you enjoyed our pet story. Zorawar and Vir with (from left to right) Polo, Max, and Bill, the pony.

Vets warn more pets being imported is likely to increase infection rates (Picture: Getty)Earlier this year an English Pointer who never left Essex developed leishmaniasis, with vets believing his owners could have brought sand flies back from spain in their luggage.

For young people who struggle to find time for human relationships, a pet is “someone to come home to, cuddle up with and love”, he said, with the added benefit that they help owners build social connections with other pet lovers.