NEWS

Wednesday 07 October 2026 Northern Ireland is moving towards a major change in how puppies and kittens can be sold, with new rules designed to make it harder for puppy farms and irresponsible breeders to hide behind third-party dealers. Under proposals approved for Northern Ireland’s own version of Lucy’s Law, people buying a puppy or kitten will generally have to deal directly with the breeder and see the young animal with its mother at the place where it was bred. For puppi

Young whippet, Little Gem Tuesday 29 September 2026 A young whippet who gave birth to three puppies on the night she was rescued near Clady is now waiting for a family of her own at Dogs Trust Ballymena. Two-year-old Little Gem was found running along a road four months ago, heavily pregnant. Her puppies — Chickpea, Crouton and Feta — have since been adopted, but their mum is still searching for a home. Staff hope to find adult adopters who can offer her an active life, time

Nala pictured in her new home after benefiting from Dogs Trust new ‘Homestay’ initiative Wednesday 23 September 2026 Dogs Trust Ballymena is highlighting a new rehoming option designed to help owners who can no longer keep their dog — while allowing their pet to remain at home until a new family is found. New option aims to avoid kennel stays The charity’s Homestay service allows eligible dogs to move directly from their existing home to a new one, rather than first entering

A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Fund NI. A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Hundreds of paws are expected to hit the sand in Portrush this

An Antrim couple have been handed suspended prison sentences and banned from keeping animals for five years after a severely malnourished dog was found living in filthy conditions without access to water. Jason Gallagher and Aleshia McLaverty, both of Islandbawn Drive, Antrim, were sentenced at Antrim Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 August after pleading guilty to separate offences relating to the welfare of a terrier-cross dog. Gallagher pleaded guilty to failing to ensur

Dog owners across Antrim and Newtownabbey are being urged to check the rules before exercising their pets in council-managed parks and open spaces, as new colour-coded signage is installed across the borough. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is carrying out the work in phases, with priority locations being targeted first. The signs are designed to make it clearer where dogs can be exercised freely, where they must be kept on a lead and where they are prohibited — with

Police have said all calls received before two dogs were found dead at a Lurgan property were “thoroughly followed up”, as agencies came together to examine what happened and address questions over whether earlier intervention was possible. The PSNI made the statement following a multi-agency meeting in Lurgan on Monday morning, 24 August, attended by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Arbour Housing and local political representatives. It follows significa

The new Paws & Pals collection from M&S M&S has expanded its food aisles to four-legged family members with the launch of a new own-brand range of food, meal toppers and treats for adult dogs and cats. The new Paws & Pals collection is available in M&S Foodhalls now, with prices ranging from £3 for treats to £14 for bags of dry food. The launch brings 13 new products to shelves alongside 10 existing favourites being rebranded under Paws & Pals, as the retailer targets growing

Emma’s daughter Mya sharing hugs with Jimmy A Cullybackey mum whose children have been left heartbroken after their beloved young cat was killed by a snare is calling for all snares to be banned in Northern Ireland — saying she was shocked to discover that the devices are not completely outlawed here. Jimmy was less than a year old when he was discovered caught in a snare and hanging helplessly from a tree on Saturday, 8 August. His family rushed him to a vet, but nothing cou

A public consultation on proposals for two new dog exercise areas in Mid and East Antrim has been approved by councillors. The sites identified by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are at Wilson Crescent in Ballymena and Eden Playing Fields outside Carrickfergus, with the proposals intended to provide secure areas where dogs can exercise off-lead. However, councillors have raised questions over the locations, parking, potential equipment and safety, while one Ballymena repr

Ballymena Pet Vets on Henry Street, Ballymena For most pet owners, there are few decisions more important than choosing the right vet. Whether it’s an excited puppy’s first vaccination, an ageing dog beginning to slow down, a rabbit refusing to eat or the heartbreaking moment a beloved companion becomes seriously ill, every visit comes with one thing in common: trust. It’s that trust that Ballymena Pet Vets has worked to earn since opening its independent practice on Henry St

Max Gray, from K9 Search and Rescue, is pictured with owner Ryan. Max was awarded Animal of the Year for gallantry in Public Service An award-winning search and rescue dog from Northern Ireland has been recognised by Queen’s University Belfast for his bravery and public service, with Max Gray receiving the University’s Animal of the Year award after helping locate missing people both at home and overseas. The specially trained search dog, who works alongside handler Ryan Gray

Dogs Trust foster carer Janet Millar, with dog Jeff For Janet Millar, opening her home to rescue dogs waiting for their forever families has brought companionship, routine and purpose — and now the County Antrim woman is encouraging others to consider doing the same. The Parkgate resident says becoming a foster carer for Dogs Trust Ballymena was “the best decision I’ve ever made”, as the charity launches an appeal for more volunteers across Northern Ireland to help meet growi

Don’t miss paw-some fun this weekend as Barket returns to The Junction, Antrim Thousands of visitors and their four-legged companions are expected to descend on Antrim this weekend as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest pet-friendly events returns for a third year. Barket will take over The Junction Retail and Leisure Park on Saturday, July 4, transforming the popular destination into a celebration of pets, animal lovers and local independent businesses. Running from 11am until

The young collie dog that was punched and abused by its Antrim owner. An Antrim man has been banned from keeping animals for a decade after a court heard he repeatedly punched a young collie, twisted her neck and slammed her to the ground in an attack captured on video. Dan Hustiu, from the Antrim area, was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 25, after previously pleading guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to ensu

As temperatures climb across the UK and parts of the country face a rare red heat warning, Dogs Trust Ballymena is urging dog owners to rethink their daily walking routines, warning that a missed walk is far safer than a dog suffering painful burns or potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The charity says many owners underestimate how quickly hot weather can become dangerous for dogs, particularly when pavements, roads and other hard surfaces absorb heat throughout the day

Stock photo A Ballymena dog owner has appealed for witnesses to come forward after his 10-year-old Border Collie was left fighting for her life following a violent attack by two loose Bully-type dogs in the town’s Demesne estate. The incident happened at around 8.15pm on Thursday, June 18, on a green area at Glenshesk Drive near Demesne Avenue. The owner says his dog, who was being walked on a lead at the time, suffered multiple puncture wounds to her face, legs and stomach a

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has raised concerns over the potential cost of proposed animal welfare changes that could require pet cats to be microchipped. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is carrying out a public consultation on a series of proposed reforms to animal welfare policy in Northern Ireland. The department is seeking views on measures including increased dog licence fees, the regulation of rescue and rehoming organisation

A new legal requirement aimed at protecting children around prohibited dog breeds will come into force in Northern Ireland later this year, while another long-standing condition for owners is being removed. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced two significant changes affecting people who hold Exemption Certificates for prohibited dog breed types, including XL Bullies. From 1 November 2026, owners of prohibited breed type dogs will

USPCA CEO Heather Weir and Baroness Sue Gray The USPCA has appointed Baroness Sue Gray as its new chair at a time when the Northern Ireland animal welfare charity says demand for its services has surged to unprecedented levels. The former senior civil servant and current member of the House of Lords takes over leadership of the organisation following a year in which the charity responded to more than 2,300 wildlife rescues and handled almost 69,000 calls from the public. Her