Akita

This is a great new scheme - you know the plaques which commemorate well known people? Well pets can be celebrated in the same way now, thanks to TrustedHousesitters.

When you've watched the story of Flora, Walnut and Smudge, you can nominate a pet you think deserves the same recognition at their website.

• The new scheme by house and pet sitting business TrustedHousesitters see green plaques placed on homes across the nation, to recognise beloved pets in the same way noteworthy humans have been for over 150 years

• The first animals to be honoured include a heart-warming whippet, a bully-fighting cat and a life-saving dog

• Pet owners across the country can now put forward their own pet, to become a part of the scheme in 2019

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is appealing to the public to choose to rehome a rescue dog or cat as it reveals a growing number of people are turning their backs on homeless animals – and logging onto the internet to find a new pet instead.

In the UK, a new dog for sale advert is created online every two minutes, while a new cat for sale ad is created every four minutes.

Battersea’s unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats are struggling to find new owners as they compete with the many animals for sale on poorly regulated websites and social media.

The Mayhew Animal Home is celebrating the fact that one of its longest stay residents has finally found a forever home. Poor Prince had spent almost a year – 330 days – at the home before he found his happily ever after.

Prince, an American Akita, left an impression on the home though, and even has his own “pawtrait” to commemorate his time there. That painting is now being auctioned to raise money to support The Mayhew’s vital work rescuing animals in need.