Cats

Cats to be freed from special lockdown in German town

People in Walldorf, in the south-west, were ordered in May to keep their cats indoors to protect an endangered bird.

Cats were only allowed to venture outside if they were kept on a leash no more than two metres (6ft) in length.

But the animals will again be allowed to roam free from 00:01 local time on Monday.

If a cat escaped while the lockdown was in force, owners were told to call a special hotline, then find and detain the offending feline.

Joy Crookes, her cats, and an album of soulful wisdom

The Brit Award-nominated singer is currently looking after a friend's pet Burmese, and it's encouraging some high jinx from her own little fur ball.

"If they're not eating my birthday cake from the weekend, then they're coming up with all sorts of naughtiness," laughs the singer, who has just turned 23.

For the next 40 minutes, our attempts to discuss her beautiful, vibrant debut album, Skin, are constantly interrupted by Nishu and Diego, who are convinced an empty can of tuna in the recycling bin is a gourmet feast of indescribable scrumptiousness.

Two New York cats become first US pets to test positive for Covid-19

The cats, from separate areas of New York state, had mild respiratory illness and are expected to make a full recovery. It is believed that they contracted the virus from people in their households or neighbourhoods, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Animals, pets, can get infected. There's no evidence that the virus is transmitted from the pet to a human," Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at the daily coronavirus briefing.

Taiwan bans slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption

The bill also prohibits those using a car or motorbike from pulling their pets alongside them on a lead as they travel.

Anyone caught breaching the order faces a large fine or up to two years in prison - and having their names and photographs made public.

The measures were introduced to improve the country's animal protection laws.

The move on Tuesday is a landmark amendment to Taiwan's Animal Protection Act, and is the first of its kind in Asia.

Kangaroos win preliminary final by 15 points

Two teams determined to earn a spot in the Grand Final turned up ready to play. It was the Cats who had the better of the Kangaroos in the first half winning more clearances but defence for both teams stood up. Cat’s defender David Adeang stood tall while on the other side of the ground Jeruka Temaki was unpassable. Jeruka contained dangerous Cat’s forward Trent Depaune despite giving away a lot in height. Jeruka’s heroic efforts in the first half contained the Cat’s dominance on the ball, restricting their scoring shots.