There are so many benefits to adopting a cat, namely that you're giving a pet a second chance at a fulfilled family life! If you're wondering how to adopt a cat and what to expect during the process, read our guide. You've decided to give a cat from a shelter a forever home-a fantastic thing to do! There are so many pets in New Zealandthat have been abandoned, abused or simply had owners that were no longer able to take care of them. All of these animals are looking for a second chance at a loving home. Whether you're looking to adopt a kitten or an adult cat with a fully formed, unique personality, there are many things to consider before bringing your new family member home. Find out how to adopt a cat and what you'll need for your new arrival with this guide. How to adopt a cat When considering how to adopt a cat, the first thing you need to do is locate a suitable shelter or charity with an established reputation. You can easily find plenty of these by searching for your local shelters online. You can also try looking on the SPCA NZ websitefor your closest adoption centre to you. Once you've located one, most have online directories of the cats they currently have up for adoption, alternatively you can speak to the staff at the centre for advice on the kind of cat which will suit you.

There's over 30 dog breeds that come from the United Kingdom, including some extremely famous breeds that may surprise you! Find out our top 11 British Dog Breeds including everything from Terriers to Spaniels. England is most widely known as the land of afternoon tea and Shakespeare, but did you know that it's also responsible for over 30 British dog breeds? These breeds include some of the most famous ones on the planet, including the Queen's favoured Corgis and the highly intelligent Border Collie. At Purina, we've picked out 11 of the top English dog breeds, including some which may surprise you! 1. Airedale Terrier Hailed as the 'king of terriers', the Airedale Terrier originated in Airedale in Yorkshire and is the largest terrier breed. Bred to catch otters and rats, this British dog breed is incredibly intelligent, making it excellent at agility and obedience competitions. Airedale Terriers also make perfect family dogs as they usually get on well with children and are known to possess a playful, puppy-like temperament even when they get older. 2. Clumber Spaniel The Clumber Spaniel originally got its name from the Duke of Newcastle, as it was named after his residence Clumber Park. They're the largest of all the Spaniel breeds and are known for their excellent hunting skills, and according to history they were once renowned throughout England for their success and were highly sought after by noblemen. This English dog breed is a great family pet because of their loyal and loving natures. They're also the ideal choice for first time dog owners due to their intelligence and willingness to be trained. 3. Beagles Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds throughout the world. With their, big, affectionate eyes and happy disposition, it's easy to see why this British dog breed has captured the hearts of so many households. But did you know that they're also fantastic working dogs? Their noses have around 220 million scent receptors (nearly as many as a Bloodhound), which makes them extremely good at picking up scents. Their superpowered nose paired with their friendly faces has earned them positions at airports working with security, as they can accurately sniff out any contraband, yet their cute looks make them less intimidating to those who are frightened of dogs. 4. Shetland Sheepdog Hailing from the Shetland Islands in Scotland, the Shetland Sheepdog was bred as a herding dog and to protect farmers' land against birds and other possible threats. Also known as Shelties, they're one of the smartest dog breeds and excel at obedience and agility competitions due to their eagerness to learn and high intelligence. Shelties also possess a strong herding instinct and have been known to try to herd squirrels and rabbits when out on their daily walks, and in some cases, they may even attempt to gently herd children.

China is a country enveloped in legend and magic, so it's hardly surprising that Chinese dog breeds encompass all of these characteristics and more. Keep reading to discover which breeds hail from the mythical land, some of which may surprise you! In China, dogs are thought to be symbols of prosperity and wealth and were originally bred for the purpose of guarding monasteries or offering companionship to monks. Due to their religious roots, a lot of Chinese dog breeds were considered sacred and most have no outside influence from dog breeds of other countries - which is one of the many reasons Chinese dogs have a completely unique appearance unlike any other. China is a mystical land adorned by imperial guardian lions which are thought to provide protection. Also known as Fu dogs - these 'dogs' are thought to have influenced many Chinese dog breeds and as such, many resemble downsized lions. From Lhasa Apsos and Chow Chows to rarer breeds, you may be surprised by some of the Chinese dogs that have made our list.

Where some may find them overwhelming due to their large size, giant dog breeds actually make perfect family pets. Discover 10 of our favourite big dog breeds. Tiny teacup pups aren't for everyone - while their teeny paws may delight some dog lovers, there are those out there looking for a little more dog to love. Giant dog breeds can be intimidating, and of course they'll require more upkeep and a lot more space than a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu, but their large size makes them the best cuddle companions and when well socialised, they can become amazing family members. If you've got room in your home and on your sofa, a giant dog breed can be the perfect match for you. Keep reading for our top 10 big dog breeds. 1. English Mastiff Standing between 27-35 inches tall and weighing around 200-230 pounds, the English Mastiff is among the biggest dog breeds alive today - in both height and weight. Known throughout history for its fearsome beginnings, this breed is descended from ancient war dogs and now warms sofas around the world and makes a loving family member. When they're not snuggled up with their favourite humans, this giant dog breed is also used for security, police and military work thanks to their high intelligence. 2. Irish Wolfhound

Cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people all over the world, but which cats actually have blue eyes? Keep reading to find out more and discover what can cause them. There's something special about a cat with blue eyes. Dazzling baby blues are a fairly unusual feature in the feline world and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to them. Blue eyes in cats are generally caused by a lack of pigment, and all kittens are born with blue eyes because cats don't develop eye pigmentation until they're around six weeks old, when the production of melanin kicks in. Some cat breeds with blue eyes (especially pointed breeds) have a recessive albinism gene, which means that they'll always have bright blue eyes. Whereas other breeds have an extra gene which also blocks the coat colour, so these cats will not only have blue eyes but they'll also be white in colour. Here at Purina, we've created a list of cat breeds with blue eyes for all you blue eyed admirers. Balinese This blue eyed cat breed is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. The Balinese has a silky, flowing coat and gorgeously deep blue eyes. The breed's long and elegant body makes the cat incredibly graceful, and it's thanks to this elegance that they're named after the exotic dancers of Bali. The Balinese are known to be an affectionate breed and are extremely friendly toward their owners. They are willing to shower anyone who gives them attention in lots of love. Birman The Birman is a cat breed with blue eyes that's hard to resist. Their glossy blue eyes gives them a sweet appearance which will have you bending over backwards for them. Their common characteristics are gentle, affectionate and playful, making them ideal as family pets.

There's nothing cuter than a cat with big ears. Usually quite delicate in appearance, we think these kitties look nothing short of endearing when sporting bat-like ears, that's why we've created this list of our top 10 cat breeds with big ears - read on to find out who made the list! Cats are known for their delicate appearances with little toe beans, lithe bodies and small, boop-worthy noses. But nothing makes them appear more endearing than when these elegant little features are contrasted with a big pair of ears! We've put together this list to show you the best cats with big ears - some of which almost rival satellite dishes - so if you love your kitties a little more bat-like in appearance, read on! 10 cats with big ears From the playful Abyssinian to the mysterious looking Sphynx, here are our top 10 cat breeds with big ears:

Dogs and children can be the best of friends when raised together and can offer a number of benefits to each other, including everything from increased playtime to happier mindsets. Read on to find out more about the advantages of dogs and children growing up together. Most children love dogs. They're cute, cuddly, and oh-so-friendly. But did you know that growing up with a dog can actually benefit a child's physical and psychological development? Here are some of the many benefits of dogs being in children's lives. 1. Constant companionship Although childhood isn't always easy, having a pet provides constant companionship through the ups and downs. Dogs can be a great source of comfort for kids - even when they're coming to grips with difficult life lessons. Whenever kids feel sad, angry, or afraid, they can always turn to their pet. Petting and cuddling dogs has also been shown to relieve stress and help people relax. 2. A more active lifestyle Caring for a dog also encourages a more active lifestyle. Children with dogs exercise eleven minutes a day more than their non-dog owning peers. That might not sound like a lot, but over a week or month, it really adds up. Many dogs require daily walks or runs and plenty of play time. Those adorable puppy eyes they give you are sure to motivate you - even when you're not feeling up to it. Here are a few fun dog exercise ideas that will keep all the family moving. 3. Learning responsibility Having a pet is a great way to teach responsibility to kids. Making sure that the family dog has food and water gives children a first glimpse of accountability and obligation. Children also learn empathy and compassion by caring for their pet, while developing a higher level of self-esteem by taking care of their pet-owning responsibilities. 4. Health is wealth Studies have found that babies raised in close contact with a pet get sick less often in their first year of life, meaning fewer visits to the doctor's office. Exposure to pet dander and the microbes that pets carry into the home from the outdoors is suggested to improve babies' developing immune systems. Research has also found that children who grow up with dogs experience a reduced risk of allergies. 5. Learning unconditional love Kids are the center of attention in any family and they quickly learn that the world revolves around them. This is why it's important to expose them to concepts such as unconditional love or loyalty. What better teacher than our canine companions?

Here is some inspiration to help you find that perfect name for your new grey kitten. These are some of our favourite grey cat names. Is there a new grey cat about to join the family? Oh, the joys of having a fur ball meowing "hello" to you every day! But first things first. What are you going to call the lucky kitten? Just because grey is a rather sombre-looking colour it doesn't mean you have to settle for a dull name. Here are some of our favourite grey cat names. Whatever moniker you pick from the list below, it's guaranteed to fit a stunning grey kitty to a T. 1. Tom: the most famous grey cat name of all time Remember sitting mesmerised in front of the telly watching Jerry mercilessly tease Tom day in and day out? Now that you've got a Tom of your own, why not pay tribute to the "Tom and Jerry" cartoons that kept you entertained during childhood. Bring those memories back with this beloved grey cat name. 2. Dorian (Gray): the grey cat name for all the handsome kittens out there Dorian Gray's youthful beauty might just be the inspiration you need to come up with that cool grey cat name you are after. This famous character has the homonym for the colour grey in his last name after all - just perfect for that stunner kitty strutting their beautiful grey fur all around the house.

The perfect companion might be a small fluffy joy of a dog that can't wait for you to come home so you can cuddle together for the rest of the evening. If you're eager to welcome a small pup into the family, we've rounded up some of the most popular small dog breeds. If you've always wanted a nice little dog that draws smiles everywhere you go, this is your chance to get familiar with the cutest small companions ever. We've put together some of the best small dogs you could wish for. From tiny fluffy pooches to the ones ready to charm you with their bold looks and adventurous spirits, these small dog breeds are a delight to have in your life. The best small dogs 1. The cute Bichon Frise Imagine the perfect small dog breed and you'll probably come close to the Bichon Frise's baby-doll face, plush coat and always-happy personality. They are lively and love to learn new tricks, but the Bichon is equally happy all curled up on your lap in the evening. They love people so much that they'll make friends for life with any human that stops to pet their snow-white fluffy coat. And thanks to their cotton ball looks and sparkling big black eyes, there will be plenty of them, from family and friends to complete strangers. The downside of all this affection they show is that they need it back in return. Bichon Frise dogs don't like being by themselves and can go through bouts of separation anxiety if left home alone. If you can arrange for constant human presence, this is one of the cutest small dog breeds to welcome to the family.