A free, confidential helpline for grieving cat owners has been launched by Cats Protection.

Supported by online guides and leaflets, the Paws to Listen service offers owners emotional and practical help in coping with the loss of a cat.

The service comes as survey findings reveal that 75 per cent of cat owners believe the public underestimate how much the death of a cat can affect its owner.

For more information visit www.cats.org.uk or to speak to a volunteer on the Paws to Listen phone line, call 0800 024 94 94.

A new veterinary hospital at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has been officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

Veterinary director Shaun Opperman, said: "Our previous clinic was struggling to cope with the 8,000 dogs and cats coming through our doors, many the innocent victims of neglect, over-breeding or puppy farming."

The new veterinary hospital, fitted out with three top-spec operating theatres, will allow staff to perform over 100 operations a week. Sound-proof recovery wards offer separate areas for dogs and cats to allow a peaceful recovery and for the first time, the charity will have a dental suite for the 80 per cent of animals that come through its doors with problem teeth.

One of the world's rarest stick insects has successfully bred at Bristol Zoo raising hope for the critically endangered species.

According to a press release, three pairs of Lord Howe stick insects have mated and laid tiny eggs. It is the first time the species has done so outside of Australia.

Keepers expect the stick insects will become founder members of Europe's first captive breeding programme in an international effort to prevent the species from becoming extinct.

The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) is asking people to sign its 'puppy pledge', which aims to prevent pet owners from buying puppies from unlicensed breeders or puppy farmers. The pledge is designed to be taken by all those with an interest in animal welfare, not just puppy buyers.

The pledge calls for people to do three things - read NAWT's puppy buyer checklist for advice on buying a happy, healthy puppy; make sure people check puppies are microchipped and registered by the breeder on an approved database before they visit, and walk away if not; and finally, promote the NAWT puppy pledge by sharing the campaign.

Take the pledge here: www.nawt.org.uk/puppy-pledge

Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) are calling on vets and veterinary nurses to take part in their Zambezi Canoe Challenge.

The fundraising challenge will take place between 2-10 September and will see participants canoe down the Zambezi river.

As well witnessing the most incredible wildlife, participants will also have a unique opportunity to visit an elephant orphanage in Lusaka where many of these animals are rehabilitated.

For further informationor to book your place visit wvs.org.uk

Over 43,000 people have signed an online petition to make hedgehogs a protected species. Oliver Colvile MP, who launched the petition, has also received more than 3,000 paper signatures. But the petition closes in less than a month and it needs 100,000 signatures to be debated in parliament.

Hedgehog numbers have fallen by a third in urban areas and 50 per cent in rural areas since 2000. Mr Colvile said: "Their numbers are in serious decline and it is our responsibility and duty to help reverse that in any way we can." To sign the petition, visit: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121264