Animals have been hit hard as winter storms continued to wreak havoc across the US and care groups scrambled to respond to calls of abandoned pets in brutal below-freezing temperatures .Authorities across Houston, Texas, along with investigators, have been responding to a number of calls from residents regarding pet dogs and cats struggling on the streets for days without food and frozen water bowls after they were believed to have been left there by owners.

But if you find yourself wanting one, you can still pledge via the Kickstarter for around $400 (cute comes at a price, but we’ve all had a rough year, right?).

It's believed the Bronx tiger got sick from a human, and as of March 25, at least two dogs in Hong Kong had tested positive for the coronavirus after close human contacts also did, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Please consider especially how your words or the tone of your message could be perceived by someone in this situation, and be aware that comments that appear to be disruptive or disrespectful to the individual concerned will be removed.

• Wendell Steavenson’s “Flour power” (The long read , 10 October) continues the widespread fashion of the fetishisation of food in the guise of promoting healthy eating.• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit