Tears have flowed at a Mosgiel kindergarten the week before Christmas after thieves stole two guinea pigs, beloved pets for five years.

In the long story of the Hauraki Gulf, humans have been in the picture for mere moments.

There is an astonishing array of goods and services available for pets. With some trepidation, Sally Hibbard set out to find the strangest of them.

A far north Queensland community is grieving the death of an 18-year-old man who was attacked by a shark in front of shocked friends.

For those who didn’t know, Zooey Deschanel is an enthusiastic equestrian, who has competed in numerous competitions.

Losing a pet can be tough for both the animal and its owner, so the SPCA is once again pushing the importance of having pets micro-chipped.

A man whose dog was chased by police, pepper sprayed and unlawfully shot dead has received an official apology.

From potential taxes on sugary drinks to the ancestry of our kiwi, science has offered plenty of headlines this year.

1. When did you first see Jaws?

Perth beachgoers are being urged to take extra care after a spate of shark sightings.

A shark attack expert says Western Australia's policy is like the Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Jaws'.

There was no shortage of animal stories making news this past year, though sadly most have not been especially positive.

With a relentless look of malevolence Grumpy Cat is not exactly cute. But her owner believes she's "unstoppable".

It is the sound synonymous with the start of a new day.

Bridget Foxx-Parr discovers that giving an unwanted cat a second chance has unforeseen benefits.

Owning a pet is a two-way relationship. They give people pleasure during the good times, but you have to take care of them when they fall ill.

Justin Bieber is reported to have "abandoned" his third pet, an adorable puppy called Karma.

Tails are wagging across the country as New Zealand's first treat delivery service for dogs is unleashed.

If you are worried that your dog is not paying attention to what you are saying, simply look at where is he is staring.

A giant ancient penguin far taller than any species alive today has been described for the first time after its fossil remains sat for decades inside an Auckland storage shed.

A loyal dog has shown up every day for two years at a Siberian hospital where her master passed away.

At 33 years old, Charlie the Bornean orangutan is getting a little long in the tooth and it's starting to show.

Officer struck four-year-old bull mastiff in the chest, causing serious injury, after it wandered onto his property. (Warning: article contains disturbing image.)

A farmer subjected to a "fast and furious" attack by a belligerent bovine says he was lucky to escape serious injury.

Auckland Zoo is well known for it's efforts in the preservation of the Sumatran wildlife. Palm oil plantations are the main cause for the destruction of the rainforests which are home to the orangutan and many other species. With only an estimated 5,000 left in the world experts expect that the species could become extinct within the next 15 years.