Orangutans Choose Food Based on Whether Others Seem to Be Enjoying It

New research reveals that orangutans are influenced by the emotional cues of their peers when deciding how much to value food, suggesting that social feelings play a bigger role in animal decision-making than previously understood. For UK pet owners, this is a compelling reminder that many animals are emotionally intelligent and highly attuned to the moods of those around them. Understanding how emotions shape animal behaviour could help owners create more enriching, socially aware environments for their own pets.

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Health & Veterinary

23 Oct

Storm Season Warning: Why You Should Let Scared Pets Choose Their Own Safe Spot

With severe weather sweeping across the UK, animal welfare specialists are cautioning owners against forcing anxious pets to come out of wherever they've retreated to feel safe. Well-meaning gestures like pulling a dog or cat out for a hug can actually heighten their stress rather than soothe it. Creating a calm environment with familiar comforts nearby is a far more effective way to support a frightened animal through stormy conditions.

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Law & Welfare

23 Oct

Dog Hunter Jailed Three Years and Banned for Life from Keeping Animals

A UK court handed down a significant sentence to a man who exploited dogs in illegal wildlife hunting and denied injured animals proper medical treatment. The lifetime ban on animal ownership, secured through a collaborative RSPCA and police investigation, signals that authorities are taking a firm stance against those who use pets as tools for cruelty. For dog owners, this case is a reminder of the legal protections in place and the importance of reporting suspected animal abuse.

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Law & Welfare

23 Oct

New OATA Guide Helps Coral Traders Stay on the Right Side of UK Law

Hobbyists and marine aquarium enthusiasts in the UK benefit when traders operate within legal boundaries, and a fresh resource from the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association aims to make that easier. The guide covers international wildlife trade rules under CITES alongside domestic UK legislation, giving coral retailers clearer tools to verify which species they can lawfully stock and sell. For reef tank keepers, this means greater confidence that corals purchased from compliant traders are both ethically sourced and legally imported.

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