In Hong Kong, where land is at a premium and burials are expensive, pet owners can choose "green burials" at more than a dozen animal crematoriums.

Hong Kong pet funerals aim for respectful farewell rather than landfill waste

Using custom-made wheelchairs, Lada and Boston are happily walking, running, playing and sniffing grass on the Black Sea coast of Ukraine. Both dogs were hit by cars and would have slowly died without support.

Custom-made wheelchairs offer pets with disabilities a second chance

Four-year-old Indonesian pitbull Gledis was home alone for two days without food when a group of volunteers found her. She is among many pets left behind when their owners tested positive for COVID-19 and were hospitalised or placed in isolation.

Indonesia animal-lovers help pets left behind by coronavirus

A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a> is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease.

Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection.

A PCR test revealed six positive results for cats and seven for dogs, and 54 animals were found to have antibodies for the virus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/no-cuddling-uk-warns-people-after-cat-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-379922">‘No cuddling’: UK warns people after cat tests positive for coronavirus</a>

Dr Els Broens from Utrecht University advised that people with Covid should avoid contact with their cats or dogs.

The reason behind this advice lies in the uncertainty of whether pets can transmit the virus or not. While the authors of this study found no evidence of pet to human interaction, they say that detection would be difficult especially when human to human transmission is so swift.&nbsp;

Covid tends to cause mild to no symptoms in most animals infected with it.

As part of the research a mobile veterinary clinic was sent to Netherland households where in the last 200 days, someone had tested positive for Covid.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seoul-to-give-free-covid-19-tests-to-pets-362173">Seoul to give free COVID-19 tests to pets</a>

There they took blood samples to test for antibodies that could suggest past exposure to Covid, as well as swabs of the pet cats and dogs to test for current infection.

Results which were then presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases showed that around 4.2 per cent of the pets had a current infection, while 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies.&nbsp;

PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-positive animals were subsequently tested and showed that antibodies were formed.

According to the researchers, the most likely route for transmission of viruses is from humans to animals, but that they can't say that vice versa is zero per cent possible.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-common-in-pet-dogs-and-cats-reveals-study-395073">Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study</a>

Many animals in Russia are being vaccinated against the disease by veterinarians. However, Dr Broens believes that to be unnecessary, as for now there is no evidence supporting the need for it.&nbsp;

Study No. 2

In a separate study, researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, found cats sleeping on their owners' beds appeared particularly susceptible to infection.

The owners of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were interviewed to learn about their interaction with their pets, and the animal immune systems were tested for Covid antibodies.

67 per cent of pet cats and 43 per cent of pet dogs tested positive for Covid, while merely 9 per cent of cats and dogs from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats tested positive.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-evidence-of-human-to-cat-covid-19-transmission-379717">Scientists find evidence of human-to-cat COVID-19 transmission</a>

Twenty-five per cent of the pets exhibited symptoms, ranging from loss of appetite to difficulty breathing. Despite most cases being mild, three were severe.

The researchers suggest that the biology of cats may make them more susceptible to Covid infection.

Additionally, as cats are more likely than dogs to sleep near their owners' faces, they are at higher risk of catching an infection from their owner's breath.

'Robustly conducted'

Professor James Wood, the head of the veterinary medicine department at Cambridge University, said the two studies provide further indications that cats and dogs may contract the disease from their owners.

He also noted that the Dutch study was robustly conducted and demonstrated that even though 20 per cent of exposed pets may be infected, they eventually clear the infection just like most humans do.

A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease. Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection.

A study by researchers from Utrecht University finds that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners are infected by the disease. Pets in 196 households where an infection was present were swabbed for traces of infection. A PCR test revealed six positive results for cats and seven for dogs, and 54 animals were found to have antibodies for the virus. Also read | ‘No cuddling’: UK warns people after cat tests positive for coronavirus Dr Els Broens from Utrecht University advised that people with Covid should avoid contact with their cats or dogs. The reason behind this advice lies in the uncertainty of whether pets can transmit the virus or not. While the authors of this study found no evidence of pet to human interaction, they say that detection would be difficult especially when human to human transmission is so swift. Covid tends to cause mild to no symptoms in most animals infected with it. As part of the research a mobile veterinary clinic was sent to Netherland households where in the last 200 days, someone had tested positive for Covid. Also read | Seoul to give free COVID-19 tests to pets There they took blood samples to test for antibodies that could suggest past exposure to Covid, as well as swabs of the pet cats and dogs to test for current infection. Results which were then presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases showed that around 4.2 per cent of the pets had a current infection, while 17.4 per cent tested positive for antibodies. PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-positive animals were subsequently tested and showed that antibodies were formed. According to the researchers, the most likely route for transmission of viruses is from humans to animals, but that they can't say that vice versa is zero per cent possible. Also read | Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study Many animals in Russia are being vaccinated against the disease by veterinarians. However, Dr Broens believes that to be unnecessary, as for now there is no evidence supporting the need for it. Study No. 2 In a separate study, researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, found cats sleeping on their owners' beds appeared particularly susceptible to infection. The owners of 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households were interviewed to learn about their interaction with their pets, and the animal immune systems were tested for Covid antibodies. 67 per cent of pet cats and 43 per cent of pet dogs tested positive for Covid, while merely 9 per cent of cats and dogs from an animal shelter and 3 per cent of stray cats tested positive. Also read | Scientists find evidence of human-to-cat COVID-19 transmission Twenty-five per cent of the pets exhibited symptoms, ranging from loss of appetite to difficulty breathing. Despite most cases being mild, three were severe. The researchers suggest that the biology of cats may make them more susceptible to Covid infection. Additionally, as cats are more likely than dogs to sleep near their owners' faces, they are at higher risk of catching an infection from their owner's breath. 'Robustly conducted' Professor James Wood, the head of the veterinary medicine department at Cambridge University, said the two studies provide further indications that cats and dogs may contract the disease from their owners. He also noted that the Dutch study was robustly conducted and demonstrated that even though 20 per cent of exposed pets may be infected, they eventually clear the infection just like most humans do.

Study finds that pets are at risk of covid infection from their owners, not the other way around

After Jim Carrey introduced pet detective to the world in the famous Hollywood movie Ace Ventura, Spain is set to introduce custody of pet animals. The government has introduced a new law to determine custody of animals when couples separate.

Couples love adopting pets and take them on walks, click pictures for social media and spoil them with attention. However, things get grim when the couples break up and an important question pops up: who gets to keep the pet?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-spain-to-approve-joint-custody-of-pets-379347">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-spain-to-approve-joint-custody-of-pets-379347/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

France, Germany&nbsp;and Switzerland have recognised pets as living beings with rights and now Spain has joined the campaign.

Spain has unveiled a new legal reform. Until now, animals were seen as mere objects but this reform declares them as sensitive living beings.

In a court of law, this makes for an interesting interpretation. Judges can now declare joint custody of pets the same as they do for kids in a divorce settlement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/petflix-uk-sees-surge-in-pet-care-products-as-people-return-to-offices-378410">Petflix! UK sees surge in pet-care products as people return to offices</a>

The proposal sets out criteria for deciding custody. A judge has two broad options, either send the pet home with either of the former sweethearts or declare joint custody.

More importantly, the mistreatment of pets will be criminalised. So hurting a pet will be considered the same as hurting a human and you could even get compensated if your pet is hurt. The proposal calls it damages for a moral injury.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-worlds-smallest-police-dog-dies-hours-after-her-sheriff-378217" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-worlds-smallest-police-dog-dies-hours-after-her-sheriff-378217&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqvqfTtpLwAhUQxTgGHe-pANUQFjACegQIBxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw345nAN3tYKZa3htQ9EtTO9" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-worlds-smallest-police-dog-dies-hours-after-her-sheriff-378217" target="_blank">Ohio: World's smallest police&nbsp;dog&nbsp;dies hours after her sheriff</a>

There is sweeping support for this new law in Spain and except for the far-right Vox party, everyone is on board.

However, this has also raised the topic of Spain’s (in)famous bullfight which is banned in a lot of parts of the world. Spain, however, still draws massive crowds.

Joint pet custody doesn't sound as impressive when jostling and killing bulls is still legal. In 2019, a survey found that 56 per cent of Spaniards were opposed to bullfighting. However, they continue it in the name of culture and tradition.

At the heart of Spain's new proposal is the legal status of animals. Most countries regard them as objects, so they have no duties and no rights. In such cases, the owner is held responsible for the pet's actions. So, if your dog destroys your neighbour's garden, you pay the bill.

Trouble, however, begins when there are multiple owners, such as this case of couples. Things can get ugly and expensive in such cases.

A man from Rhode Island waged a legal battle for two years and spent $ 15,000 dollars in legal fees to wrest custody of his dog from his ex-wife.

So, to think of, ‘pet-nups’ and lawyers specialising in dog custody could be the new reality in Spain and elsewhere.

After Jim Carrey introduced pet detective to the world in the famous Hollywood movie Ace Ventura, Spain is set to introduce custody of pet animals. The government has introduced a new law to determine custody of animals when couples separate.

After Jim Carrey introduced pet detective to the world in the famous Hollywood movie Ace Ventura, Spain is set to introduce custody of pet animals. The government has introduced a new law to determine custody of animals when couples separate. Couples love adopting pets and take them on walks, click pictures for social media and spoil them with attention. However, things get grim when the couples break up and an important question pops up: who gets to keep the pet? Watch | France, Germany and Switzerland have recognised pets as living beings with rights and now Spain has joined the campaign. Spain has unveiled a new legal reform. Until now, animals were seen as mere objects but this reform declares them as sensitive living beings. In a court of law, this makes for an interesting interpretation. Judges can now declare joint custody of pets the same as they do for kids in a divorce settlement. Also read | Petflix! UK sees surge in pet-care products as people return to offices The proposal sets out criteria for deciding custody. A judge has two broad options, either send the pet home with either of the former sweethearts or declare joint custody. More importantly, the mistreatment of pets will be criminalised. So hurting a pet will be considered the same as hurting a human and you could even get compensated if your pet is hurt. The proposal calls it damages for a moral injury. Also read | Ohio: World's smallest police dog dies hours after her sheriff There is sweeping support for this new law in Spain and except for the far-right Vox party, everyone is on board. However, this has also raised the topic of Spain’s (in)famous bullfight which is banned in a lot of parts of the world. Spain, however, still draws massive crowds. Joint pet custody doesn't sound as impressive when jostling and killing bulls is still legal. In 2019, a survey found that 56 per cent of Spaniards were opposed to bullfighting. However, they continue it in the name of culture and tradition. At the heart of Spain's new proposal is the legal status of animals. Most countries regard them as objects, so they have no duties and no rights. In such cases, the owner is held responsible for the pet's actions. So, if your dog destroys your neighbour's garden, you pay the bill. Trouble, however, begins when there are multiple owners, such as this case of couples. Things can get ugly and expensive in such cases. A man from Rhode Island waged a legal battle for two years and spent $ 15,000 dollars in legal fees to wrest custody of his dog from his ex-wife. So, to think of, ‘pet-nups’ and lawyers specialising in dog custody could be the new reality in Spain and elsewhere.

Pet-nups? Spain introduces laws for pet custody after divorce

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets.

"The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned.&nbsp;

"People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-offers-500000-reward-for-her-stolen-dogs-366342">Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs</a>

This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs.&nbsp;

The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extra-set-of-cuteness-puppy-born-with-6-legs-and-2-tails-is-doing-well-366614">Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well'</a>

"When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added.

This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States.

Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet.

Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too. However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets. "The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned. "People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added. Also read| Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs. The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said. Also read| Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well' "When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added. This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States. Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet. Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

Limit the cuteness: UK police warns against posting pictures of dogs amid surge in theft

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return.

Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan. But his love for his owner lives on.

Hachiko's statue stands outside the Shibuya train station, telling the story of true love to everyone who passes by.

Another heartrending tale is that of a dog named Boncuk from Turkey.&nbsp;

The faithful dog waited for her owner outside a hospital in Turkey for almost a week until he was released after undergoing treatment for a brain condition.

The small, mix-breed dog was rewarded for her loyalty with an emotional reunion when 68-year-old Cemal Senturk finally left hospital in the northeastern city of Trabzon.

Senturk was taken to hospital on January 14 after a brain embolism.

Boncuk, whose name means "Beads" in reference to her hazel eyes, followed the ambulance, and immediately began her vigil outside the entrance, returning every morning thereafter. She was occasionally fed by hospital staff.

Senturk's daughter tried to take the dog home several times, but said that she kept running away to return to the hospital.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
only in turkiye 🥺🐶🥺 
 
a man was hospitalized in trabzon province of turkiye. and his dog waited his owner in front of the hospital for five days. some staff of the hospital took care of him while he was waiting. <a href="https://t.co/tzk8a1bQa2">pic.twitter.com/tzk8a1bQa2</a>
— the istanbulist (@istanbulism) <a href="https://twitter.com/istanbulism/status/1351621559623024643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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When Senturk finally left the hospital this week, an overjoyed Boncuk ran alongside his wheelchair, jumping up to be petted and wagging her tail.

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finaly, they came together. 😊 <a href="https://t.co/qP12L3st9M">pic.twitter.com/qP12L3st9M</a>
— the istanbulist (@istanbulism) <a href="https://twitter.com/istanbulism/status/1351621599057891330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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If Boncuk's story sparks a coversation at the dinner table -- about getting a pet, then let me give you some advice: adopt, don't shop.

These pets will love you just as much.

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return. Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan.

There won't be many people in the world who haven't heard of Hachiko -- the loyal dog who waited nine years at a train station for his dead owner to return. Hachiko lived over 100 years ago in Japan. But his love for his owner lives on. Hachiko's statue stands outside the Shibuya train station, telling the story of true love to everyone who passes by. Another heartrending tale is that of a dog named Boncuk from Turkey. The faithful dog waited for her owner outside a hospital in Turkey for almost a week until he was released after undergoing treatment for a brain condition. The small, mix-breed dog was rewarded for her loyalty with an emotional reunion when 68-year-old Cemal Senturk finally left hospital in the northeastern city of Trabzon. Senturk was taken to hospital on January 14 after a brain embolism. Boncuk, whose name means "Beads" in reference to her hazel eyes, followed the ambulance, and immediately began her vigil outside the entrance, returning every morning thereafter. She was occasionally fed by hospital staff. Senturk's daughter tried to take the dog home several times, but said that she kept running away to return to the hospital. only in turkiye 🥺🐶🥺 a man was hospitalized in trabzon province of turkiye. and his dog waited his owner in front of the hospital for five days. some staff of the hospital took care of him while he was waiting. pic.twitter.com/tzk8a1bQa2 — the istanbulist (@istanbulism) January 19, 2021 × When Senturk finally left the hospital this week, an overjoyed Boncuk ran alongside his wheelchair, jumping up to be petted and wagging her tail. finaly, they came together. 😊 pic.twitter.com/qP12L3st9M — the istanbulist (@istanbulism) January 19, 2021 × If Boncuk's story sparks a coversation at the dinner table -- about getting a pet, then let me give you some advice: adopt, don't shop. These pets will love you just as much.

This dog in Turkey waited six days outside a hospital for owner to return

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dogs-provide-love-at-nursing-home-during-pandemic-351657/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Detective Superintendent Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs' Council in conversation with Sky News said that the work from home model has triggered more people to buy puppies. Due to this, demand has increased, and so has the average price. The average cost of a puppy has gone up from £500 to £2,000.

Austin further claimed that the pet market had become lucrative for criminals, who then exploit it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/dogs-and-their-owners-share-same-diabetes-risk-study-says-348996" hreflang="en">Dogs and their owners share same diabetes risk, study says</a>

One of the victims - Melissa Cole - whose two female springer spaniels - Jess and Tig were stolen, referred to the theft as "organised crime'' in conversation with Sky News. The dogs were stolen from a kennel in Bedforshire in September. Cole added that the thieves were able to trespass metal bars, alarms, and other security paraphernalia in place.

Cole added that she had received videos with ransom demands, and with messages from children who were reportedly being instructed what to say. Calling it "terrifying'', Cole added how giving in to ransom demands would simply encourage more thefts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/dogs-are-mans-oldest-best-friends-dna-study-reveals-339010" hreflang="en">Dogs are man's oldest best friends, DNA study reveals</a>

Cole was able to retrieve Jess after a police raid. The dog was unfortunately in a bad condition, with Tig still missing.

It is possible that Tig was forwarded to breeders to create more offspring, in a bid to make more profit from the increasing demand. Many dog ownders like Cole fear that the dogs are being bred without being offered veterinary care.&nbsp;

Many animal activists are backing a change in law to classify stolen pets as property, and to increase the length of sentences to reflect the emotional toll it takes on victims.&nbsp;

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic.

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic. Detective Superintendent Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs' Council in conversation with Sky News said that the work from home model has triggered more people to buy puppies. Due to this, demand has increased, and so has the average price. The average cost of a puppy has gone up from £500 to £2,000. Austin further claimed that the pet market had become lucrative for criminals, who then exploit it. Also read: Dogs and their owners share same diabetes risk, study says One of the victims - Melissa Cole - whose two female springer spaniels - Jess and Tig were stolen, referred to the theft as "organised crime'' in conversation with Sky News. The dogs were stolen from a kennel in Bedforshire in September. Cole added that the thieves were able to trespass metal bars, alarms, and other security paraphernalia in place. Cole added that she had received videos with ransom demands, and with messages from children who were reportedly being instructed what to say. Calling it "terrifying'', Cole added how giving in to ransom demands would simply encourage more thefts. Also read: Dogs are man's oldest best friends, DNA study reveals Cole was able to retrieve Jess after a police raid. The dog was unfortunately in a bad condition, with Tig still missing. It is possible that Tig was forwarded to breeders to create more offspring, in a bid to make more profit from the increasing demand. Many dog ownders like Cole fear that the dogs are being bred without being offered veterinary care. Many animal activists are backing a change in law to classify stolen pets as property, and to increase the length of sentences to reflect the emotional toll it takes on victims.

How are criminal gangs in UK capitalising on increasing demand for puppies?

Christmas has gone to the dogs in Peru. A stream of pampered pooches have donned on their festive best as part of a canine costume parade to help herald in the season.

It's Santa Paws. Peru's pooches put on canine Christmas parade

October 4 is celebrated across the globe as World Animal Day and like every year pet owners celebrated the feast of St. Francis who was also the patron saint of animals wagging tails across the globe got blessed with holy water but this time the blessings came with a twist.

Not even the COVID-19 pandemic was enough to stop pet lovers from celebrating World Animal Day across the world. Pet owners in the Philippines and Mexico flocked to celebrate the feast of Saint Francis.

In Manila, the pets received their blessings via a drive-through ceremony meant to keep everyone safe. A catholic priest blessed various breeds of cats, dogs, and birds with holy water as the pet owners lined up inside their cars, eagerly waiting for good fortunes for their animal companions.

"It's very important for us to have our pet blessed because we really feel like our pet is part of our family, we also want the best for his health too that's why we decided to join the pet blessing for today," Arlene Pedron, pet owner, said.

"The reason for my attendance at the church of Saint Francis is to bring my pet, Goyi, to be blessed in the name of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals," Silvia Navarro, a worker, said.

In Mexico, people were seen queueing outside a church to seek blessings for their pets geared with masks and maintaining social distancing. The pet lovers believed that it was fundamental even in between a pandemic to seek blessings for their animals.

October 4 is celebrated across the globe as World Animal Day and like every year pet owners celebrated the feast of St. Francis who was also the patron saint of animals wagging tails across the globe got blessed with holy water but this time the blessings came with a twist.

October 4 is celebrated across the globe as World Animal Day and like every year pet owners celebrated the feast of St. Francis who was also the patron saint of animals wagging tails across the globe got blessed with holy water but this time the blessings came with a twist. Not even the COVID-19 pandemic was enough to stop pet lovers from celebrating World Animal Day across the world. Pet owners in the Philippines and Mexico flocked to celebrate the feast of Saint Francis. In Manila, the pets received their blessings via a drive-through ceremony meant to keep everyone safe. A catholic priest blessed various breeds of cats, dogs, and birds with holy water as the pet owners lined up inside their cars, eagerly waiting for good fortunes for their animal companions. "It's very important for us to have our pet blessed because we really feel like our pet is part of our family, we also want the best for his health too that's why we decided to join the pet blessing for today," Arlene Pedron, pet owner, said. "The reason for my attendance at the church of Saint Francis is to bring my pet, Goyi, to be blessed in the name of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals," Silvia Navarro, a worker, said. In Mexico, people were seen queueing outside a church to seek blessings for their pets geared with masks and maintaining social distancing. The pet lovers believed that it was fundamental even in between a pandemic to seek blessings for their animals.

Pet lovers celebrate World Animal Day amid pandemic

Coronavirus-wary animal owners in the Philippines had their pets blessed via a drive-through ceremony on Sunday to mark World Animal Day and the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Pandemic prompts drive-through pet blessing in Philippines

The new trend of keeping ants as pets in Singapore has stormed the world. Watch report.

Singapore's new trend of anti-keeping

British dog breeders have seen a huge surge in demand for puppies during the coronavirus lockdown and are worried that many families will give them up once they realise the scale of the responsibility ahead.

They call it puppy love: Lockdown Britain sees surge in demand for dogs

More than a thousand pets are currently stranded worldwide by the flight cancellations and border closures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic

Stranded pets, desperate owners: coronavirus separates furry family members

People in isolation, looking for animal companionship, have started to adopt dogs. And many dogs have made new friends in the volunteers who walk the pets of elderly people.

Abandoned pets find new homes in Moscow

According to The American Humane Association estimates, 1 in 3 dogs in the US get lost at some point in their lives with many of them never returning home.

A few young entrepreneurs in the India's IT capital, Bengaluru, who are also dog lovers, felt that the problem was far worse in India but there were no statistics to prove it. Nonetheless, Advaith Mohan, Ajith Kochery and Siddharth Darbha decided to do something about the problem and developed 'Wagr.'&nbsp;

The device as small as&nbsp;6cm x 4cm, Wagr can be attached to your dog's collar which will enable the pet owner&nbsp;to track its location and movements in real-time.

The device has an inbuilt GPS sensor and a SIM card that lets you define your pet's safe zone through an add on the mobile phone application.

"The device contains a GPS sensor as well as a pre-installed SIM card which allows you to essentially create safe zones on a companion app in areas where your dog is safe - like your house or office. The sensor and SIM card works in tandem to alert you if your dog ever exits the safe zone and allows you to track your dog real-time anywhere in the country. Wherever there is a cellular network in India, you will be able to track your dog. Even if you are outside the country, it allows you to track, " says Advaith Mohan, Co-founder of Wagr.

"It also has motion sensors which we have calibrated based on the breed of your dog that allows you to know how much exercise and rest your dog is getting every day,' Mohan added.

Currently close to 300 units of Wagr are being used by pet owners and the founders are working to improve the device and incorporate more features, making life slightly easier for pet parents.

They are now working on device's ability for advanced activity detection, that will help gauge the long-term and short-term health patterns of dogs.

Four key areas that will require detection is scratching, shivering, licking and eating, that can be indications of serious health conditions. More advanced activity detection can also lead to early diagnoses of diseases like hip dysplasia in dogs.&nbsp;

Jahnavi, a dog parent in the city of Bengaluru says that her anxiety about the well-being of her pet&nbsp;when she is not around, has certainly come down as she is now able to track her dog in real-time.

'The most important thing is when I am at work I generally tend to worry about how she is doing. I used to live alone, but then I moved to ensure I have flatmates so that someone can be around her all the time. But now I can see what she is doing. Though she is a house pet, she does tend to run outside when the door is open. If I am not around, it is hard to get her to come back. But now when she exits the safe zone I get a notification. So that is the biggest advantage that I have with it.' says Jahnavi.&nbsp;

"I am a dog parent and I have lost a dog before. The other co-founders are also dog lovers. Few years back we got to working on start-up ideas together and having lost a dog before the matter was close to our hearts, " Advaith said.

"When we got a new dog we realised that dog parents are facing more issues now. We also spoke to other dog lovers and realised that taking care of the safety and health of the dog is of utmost importance. To give you a statistic, in the US 1 in 3 dogs get lost and very few actually return home. On the health side, obesity is one of the leading health threats to dogs. Over 2-3 years of a dog's lifespan is reduced due to obesity. These were the primary problems we were attempting to tackle and Wagr was the obvious solution," Advaith added.&nbsp;

According to The American Humane Association estimates, 1 in 3 dogs in the US get lost at some point in their lives with many of them never returning home. A few young entrepreneurs in the India's IT capital, Bengaluru, who are also dog lovers, felt that the problem was far worse in India but there were no statistics to prove it.

According to The American Humane Association estimates, 1 in 3 dogs in the US get lost at some point in their lives with many of them never returning home. A few young entrepreneurs in the India's IT capital, Bengaluru, who are also dog lovers, felt that the problem was far worse in India but there were no statistics to prove it. Nonetheless, Advaith Mohan, Ajith Kochery and Siddharth Darbha decided to do something about the problem and developed 'Wagr.' The device as small as 6cm x 4cm, Wagr can be attached to your dog's collar which will enable the pet owner to track its location and movements in real-time. The device has an inbuilt GPS sensor and a SIM card that lets you define your pet's safe zone through an add on the mobile phone application. "The device contains a GPS sensor as well as a pre-installed SIM card which allows you to essentially create safe zones on a companion app in areas where your dog is safe - like your house or office. The sensor and SIM card works in tandem to alert you if your dog ever exits the safe zone and allows you to track your dog real-time anywhere in the country. Wherever there is a cellular network in India, you will be able to track your dog. Even if you are outside the country, it allows you to track, " says Advaith Mohan, Co-founder of Wagr. "It also has motion sensors which we have calibrated based on the breed of your dog that allows you to know how much exercise and rest your dog is getting every day,' Mohan added. Currently close to 300 units of Wagr are being used by pet owners and the founders are working to improve the device and incorporate more features, making life slightly easier for pet parents. They are now working on device's ability for advanced activity detection, that will help gauge the long-term and short-term health patterns of dogs. Four key areas that will require detection is scratching, shivering, licking and eating, that can be indications of serious health conditions. More advanced activity detection can also lead to early diagnoses of diseases like hip dysplasia in dogs. Jahnavi, a dog parent in the city of Bengaluru says that her anxiety about the well-being of her pet when she is not around, has certainly come down as she is now able to track her dog in real-time. 'The most important thing is when I am at work I generally tend to worry about how she is doing. I used to live alone, but then I moved to ensure I have flatmates so that someone can be around her all the time. But now I can see what she is doing. Though she is a house pet, she does tend to run outside when the door is open. If I am not around, it is hard to get her to come back. But now when she exits the safe zone I get a notification. So that is the biggest advantage that I have with it.' says Jahnavi. "I am a dog parent and I have lost a dog before. The other co-founders are also dog lovers. Few years back we got to working on start-up ideas together and having lost a dog before the matter was close to our hearts, " Advaith said. "When we got a new dog we realised that dog parents are facing more issues now. We also spoke to other dog lovers and realised that taking care of the safety and health of the dog is of utmost importance. To give you a statistic, in the US 1 in 3 dogs get lost and very few actually return home. On the health side, obesity is one of the leading health threats to dogs. Over 2-3 years of a dog's lifespan is reduced due to obesity. These were the primary problems we were attempting to tackle and Wagr was the obvious solution," Advaith added.

Bengaluru: Startup launches 'Wagr', a wearable to track real-time location of pets

Acupuncture for dogs? Hydrotherapy for cats? As pet ownership in the US has increased to nearly 85 million households, so too has the variety of treatments available for our furry friends. With some treatments costing upwards of $5,000 and trendy diets seeping their way into pet foods, the industry is beginning to mirror its human counterpart.

Acupuncture? Hydrotherapy? Pets in America now get human treatment

Eleven-year-old Bess waits patiently to be immersed in water just a little cooler than her body temperature.

Her hydrotherapy session will last only 17 minutes but it does wonders for this arthritis sufferer. Bess is a cat.

To ease her joint pain, the Maine Coon, a touch overweight at 21 pounds (10 kilograms), is taken every week to the Friendship Hospital for Animals, a veterinary clinic on a pleasant Washington street.

Beyond traditional veterinary treatment, the clinic offers forms of care once reserved for humans, such as acupuncture and therapeutic ultrasound.

Pets are now increasingly seen as genuine family members, said Christine Klippen, one of the 63 veterinarians who are available at the clinic every day of the year.

And this is particularly true for millennials, she said, who see themselves as moms and dads to their "fur babies."

Given the higher incomes in the US capital, they often seek out the best pet care available.

In the United States, 84.9 million households, or 68 per cent, have a pet, according to Steve King, head of the American Pet Products Association.

"Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic among all generations," he said, and have surpassed the postwar Baby Boom generation.

Last year, consumer spending on pets hit a record $72.6 billion and the APPA expects this will rise to $75.4 billion in 2019.

Health care spending is the fastest-rising category as pet owners learn about available treatments.

"There's less pushback than there was," said Brant Hassell, a veterinarian practising at the District Veterinary Hospital.

"These dogs are a lot of people's first children," he said.

"If I say, 'Oh, my goodness. This dog has a loose tooth,' they're just like, 'my baby!'"

Back at Friendship Hospital, Bess the cat walks on an underwater treadmill, the water up to her whiskers, the pace slow and regular as a metronome.

But to keep up, Bella, a "senior" dog, needed a little extra motivation in the form of peanut butter.

"We are more selective with food when they're overweight," said Janay Austin-Carlson, a rehabilitation practitioner.

Walking in water creates greater resistance to movement, making exercise more effective.

"One minute in here is much harder than one minute outside," she said.

Given Washington's often oppressive summertime heat, where temperatures can easily hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and humidity rises to 70 per cent, the animals can also exercise in relative comfort.

"We can play with the speed, the water level," said Austin-Carlson. "All those things create different dynamics."

$15,000 for dialysis

Bella's "mom," 45-year-old Freya Jackson, says hydrotherapy has been a godsend.

"When she comes, she's usually tired afterwards and needs a long nap. But the day after you can really see she could move around more freely," said Jackson.

Still, Bella's fitness regime is not exactly free: A 20-minute hydrotherapy session runs to $89 and comes after 15 minutes of laser therapy at $65.

And Bella has stuck to this weekly routine for a year.

Jackson said having a healthy dog helps her own exercise habits and, given that she has no children, the expense fits her budget.

"I'm investing in myself to stay fit and healthy and be able to run around," she said. "It is a part of my wellbeing."

Pet owners are generally healthier people, coping better with conditions such as autism, dementia and cardiovascular disease, according to studies funded by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute.

Having a dog or cat in the house typically lowers blood pressure and children may suffer less frequently from allergies.

Generally, pets improve mental health, according to Klippen of the Friendship Hospital.

"Because we view our pets in a more human way it is no longer meaningful enough for us to simply give them a biscuit," said King of the APPA.

And some pet owners are ready to spare no expense: Dialysis can run between $12,000 and $15,000 while the price tag on orthopaedic surgery ranges from $5,000 to $7,000.&nbsp;

But humanizing pets can involve controversial or even dangerous health practices such as needlessly imposing grain or gluten-free diets on animals.&nbsp;

This simply does not suit their nutritional needs and can cause premature death, according to Klippen.

In the meantime, US authorities say they have begun scrutinizing potential ties between such popular, newfangled diets and the prevalence of heart disease in dogs.

Eleven-year-old Bess waits patiently to be immersed in water just a little cooler than her body temperature. Her hydrotherapy session will last only 17 minutes but it does wonders for this arthritis sufferer.

Eleven-year-old Bess waits patiently to be immersed in water just a little cooler than her body temperature. Her hydrotherapy session will last only 17 minutes but it does wonders for this arthritis sufferer. Bess is a cat. To ease her joint pain, the Maine Coon, a touch overweight at 21 pounds (10 kilograms), is taken every week to the Friendship Hospital for Animals, a veterinary clinic on a pleasant Washington street. Beyond traditional veterinary treatment, the clinic offers forms of care once reserved for humans, such as acupuncture and therapeutic ultrasound. Pets are now increasingly seen as genuine family members, said Christine Klippen, one of the 63 veterinarians who are available at the clinic every day of the year. And this is particularly true for millennials, she said, who see themselves as moms and dads to their "fur babies." Given the higher incomes in the US capital, they often seek out the best pet care available. In the United States, 84.9 million households, or 68 per cent, have a pet, according to Steve King, head of the American Pet Products Association. "Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic among all generations," he said, and have surpassed the postwar Baby Boom generation. Last year, consumer spending on pets hit a record $72.6 billion and the APPA expects this will rise to $75.4 billion in 2019. Health care spending is the fastest-rising category as pet owners learn about available treatments. "There's less pushback than there was," said Brant Hassell, a veterinarian practising at the District Veterinary Hospital. "These dogs are a lot of people's first children," he said. "If I say, 'Oh, my goodness. This dog has a loose tooth,' they're just like, 'my baby!'" Back at Friendship Hospital, Bess the cat walks on an underwater treadmill, the water up to her whiskers, the pace slow and regular as a metronome. But to keep up, Bella, a "senior" dog, needed a little extra motivation in the form of peanut butter. "We are more selective with food when they're overweight," said Janay Austin-Carlson, a rehabilitation practitioner. Walking in water creates greater resistance to movement, making exercise more effective. "One minute in here is much harder than one minute outside," she said. Given Washington's often oppressive summertime heat, where temperatures can easily hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and humidity rises to 70 per cent, the animals can also exercise in relative comfort. "We can play with the speed, the water level," said Austin-Carlson. "All those things create different dynamics." $15,000 for dialysis Bella's "mom," 45-year-old Freya Jackson, says hydrotherapy has been a godsend. "When she comes, she's usually tired afterwards and needs a long nap. But the day after you can really see she could move around more freely," said Jackson. Still, Bella's fitness regime is not exactly free: A 20-minute hydrotherapy session runs to $89 and comes after 15 minutes of laser therapy at $65. And Bella has stuck to this weekly routine for a year. Jackson said having a healthy dog helps her own exercise habits and, given that she has no children, the expense fits her budget. "I'm investing in myself to stay fit and healthy and be able to run around," she said. "It is a part of my wellbeing." Pet owners are generally healthier people, coping better with conditions such as autism, dementia and cardiovascular disease, according to studies funded by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute. Having a dog or cat in the house typically lowers blood pressure and children may suffer less frequently from allergies. Generally, pets improve mental health, according to Klippen of the Friendship Hospital. "Because we view our pets in a more human way it is no longer meaningful enough for us to simply give them a biscuit," said King of the APPA. And some pet owners are ready to spare no expense: Dialysis can run between $12,000 and $15,000 while the price tag on orthopaedic surgery ranges from $5,000 to $7,000. But humanizing pets can involve controversial or even dangerous health practices such as needlessly imposing grain or gluten-free diets on animals. This simply does not suit their nutritional needs and can cause premature death, according to Klippen. In the meantime, US authorities say they have begun scrutinizing potential ties between such popular, newfangled diets and the prevalence of heart disease in dogs.

Pets in America now get human treatment

Animal hotel, shelter in Egypt gives pets, strays safe place to stay

The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues. 
&nbsp; 
Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general.

They also aim to &ldquo;help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.&rdquo;

Start of a Story 
&nbsp; 
It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh&rsquo;s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor.

Animesh says, &ldquo;If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That&rsquo;s how Fur Ball Story began.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, &ldquo;Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you&#39;re low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I&#39;ve been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. &nbsp;Everytime without fail, I&#39;ve had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.&rdquo;

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Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, &ldquo;It&#39;s hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he&#39;s &nbsp;been with us for six years and everytime I&#39;m feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay&nbsp;down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn&#39;t worry and could focus better.&rdquo;&nbsp;

But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ? 
&nbsp; 
Animesh confirms, &ldquo;Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn&rsquo;t affected our business: 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it&rsquo;s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has.

&ldquo;Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.&rdquo;

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Furry Army&#39;s Angel at Burger King, CP (WION)
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What keeps them going, I ask?

Animesh answers, &ldquo;The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.&rdquo;

Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, &ldquo;My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life.

&ldquo;That&#39;s when I went to Pet Fed&#39;16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story&#39;s stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn&#39;t have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.&rdquo;

Therapy Training for Dogs

How do the dogs get therapy training?&nbsp;

Animesh explains, &ldquo;The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu).&nbsp;

&ldquo;Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It&rsquo;s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him.&nbsp;

&ldquo;For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.&rdquo; &nbsp;

Human-Animal bond

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<h5>Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.</h5>
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Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter.

Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, &ldquo;Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people&#39;s level of the &lsquo;hormone oxytocin&rsquo;. Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.&rdquo;

Animesh confirms that it&rsquo;s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, &ldquo;Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that&rsquo;s the way they&rsquo;re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.&rdquo;

Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: &ldquo;Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both&rdquo;, he adds in his books.&nbsp;

But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh?&nbsp;

Animesh ensures, &ldquo;We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. &nbsp;Pre-and post session they&rsquo;re back in the house doing their own thing.&rdquo;

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The Furry Army at Nagarro&#39;s Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION)
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Limitations

Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy?

&ldquo;With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building.&nbsp;

&ldquo;When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can&rsquo;t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.&rdquo;

Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse

With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of &ldquo;encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse&rdquo;. 
&nbsp; 
With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh says, &ldquo;Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent&nbsp;in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.&rdquo;

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A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, &ldquo;My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It&#39;s hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.&rdquo;

Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step. 
&nbsp; 
Animesh says, &ldquo;We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it&rsquo;s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.&rdquo; &nbsp;

An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India&rsquo;s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, &ldquo;Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.&rdquo;&nbsp;

(WION) &nbsp;

 
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Pet therapy is emerging as a model to help people relax, find comfort, and recover from serious illnesses

The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues. Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general. They also aim to “help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.” Start of a Story It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others. Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh’s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor. Animesh says, “If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That’s how Fur Ball Story began.” Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, “Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you're low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I've been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. Everytime without fail, I've had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.” I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt × Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, “It's hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he's been with us for six years and everytime I'm feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn't worry and could focus better.” But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ? Animesh confirms, “Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn’t affected our business: “People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it’s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has. “Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.” Furry Army's Angel at Burger King, CP (WION) × What keeps them going, I ask? Animesh answers, “The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.” Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, “My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life. “That's when I went to Pet Fed'16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story's stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn't have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.” Therapy Training for Dogs How do the dogs get therapy training? Animesh explains, “The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu). “Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It’s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training. “Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him. “For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.” Human-Animal bond Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans. × Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter. Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, “Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the ‘hormone oxytocin’. Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.” Animesh confirms that it’s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, “Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that’s the way they’re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.” Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: “Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.” “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both”, he adds in his books. But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh? Animesh ensures, “We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. Pre-and post session they’re back in the house doing their own thing.” The Furry Army at Nagarro's Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION) × Limitations Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy? “With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building. “When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can’t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.” Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of “encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse”. With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse. Animesh says, “Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.” I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different × A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, “My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It's hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.” Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step. Animesh says, “We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it’s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.” An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India’s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, “Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.” (WION)

Finding love in furry friends

Greece will be recruiting dogs to sniff out potential tax dodgers trying to take cash out of the crisis-hit country, where mass bank withdrawals prompted capital controls last year. 
 
In a posting on a government web portal on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry said it would be putting together a team to assess tenders for the provision of dogs tasked with detecting cash. 
 
More than 50 billion euros left banks from November 2014 to July last year on fears the country could crash out of the euro, a crisis which culminated in capital controls and a new international bailout for the country. 
 
Banking sources estimate that anything between 15 and 20 billion euros is still being hoarded by Greeks outside the banking system. Tax evasion is still thought to be rampant. 
 
Authorities prefer German Shepherds, Labradors or Belgian Melinois, the government document said, reported on Greece&#39;s Star Channel TV. A pedigree was not necessary. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

Banking sources estimate that anything between 15 and 20 billion euros is still being hoarded by Greeks outside the banking system

Greece will be recruiting dogs to sniff out potential tax dodgers trying to take cash out of the crisis-hit country, where mass bank withdrawals prompted capital controls last year. In a posting on a government web portal on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry said it would be putting together a team to assess tenders for the provision of dogs tasked with detecting cash. More than 50 billion euros left banks from November 2014 to July last year on fears the country could crash out of the euro, a crisis which culminated in capital controls and a new international bailout for the country. Banking sources estimate that anything between 15 and 20 billion euros is still being hoarded by Greeks outside the banking system. Tax evasion is still thought to be rampant. Authorities prefer German Shepherds, Labradors or Belgian Melinois, the government document said, reported on Greece's Star Channel TV. A pedigree was not necessary. (Reuters)

Man's best friend may soon be sniffing out tax dodgers in crisis-hit Greece

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