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Whilst I love this time of year; bonfires, fireworks and kicking huge piles of golden leaves…spare a thought for the pets and wildlife in this season.
Before lighting up your bonfire, have a look to make sure some hibernating hedgehogs haven’t made a home there. Ideally, if you can, build the bonfire on the day to prevent animals from setting up camp there.
Also the RSPCA has some great advice for pet owners to cope with the scary noises of bonfire night.

Photo : Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

On Wednesday the BBC’s new flagship series, Frozen Planet starts, taking us to the ends of the Earth; the Arctic and Antarctic, and the dramatic desolation of these harsh environments.
When I met Sir David Attenborough earlier this year, we talked about the making of the series and he professed admiration for the cameramen who risked their lives diving under the thick ice in subzero temperatures to capture some of these incredible shots.
The series also features an incredible chase as wolves hunt down bison in temperatures of -50 degrees and winds of up to 100mph. Whilst the wildlife might be used to it…here the crew describe how they had to adapt to their new environment to get this stunning footage.

With all the sad recent news of two police dogs being found dead in a locked car on the hottest day of the year, the RSPCA have some excellent advice on how to look after your pet in this hot weather. Even in moderately warm weather, around 22 degrees, the temperature inside a locked car can quickly reach 47 degrees within an hour. If you see a dog locked in a car, people are advised to ring 999.

Today begins the animal charity RSPCA Week! This vital organisation help rescue animals all over the country every year…but they need our help. Find out what’s going on near you and see what you can do to get involved. I’ll be popping down to the London Pet Show (for the rabbit show jumping and pig agility!) where they will have a stand giving out useful pet info and advice.

Meet Zac and Lilli, two of the residents at Blue Cross’s animal shelter. They’ve been friends since they were puppies but when Zac lost his sight five years ago, Lilli became his natural guide dog. Sarah Bussell from the charity says how they’ve bonded, “Their relationship is about Zac’s trust in Lilli. It’s really sweet.”
Their owner emigrated recently so they are looking for a new home…and as they are inseparable, they come as a pair!

The RSPCA are looking for more people to help with their Pet Retreat campaign. They receive hundreds of phone calls from people trying to escape domestic violence with the extra problem of how to look after their pets. Pet Retreat provides a temporary foster home for their pet, so they know they are safe and cared for while they sort their lives out. Then, when they’re ready, their pet is returned to them! But at the moment, there are only 80 foster families in the country. Find out more on their website and see if you could provide a lifeline for not just these pets but their owners too.

Dogs for the blind, dogs for the deaf…and now dogs are being used to help children learn how to read. Danny the greyhound is the perfect listener and the children feel relaxed and comfortable reading out loud to him.
My favourite bit is that when Danny falls asleep, his owner tells the children he is simply dreaming about their stories.

Romeo is the name the builders have given this cheeky little fox. He was found living in the UK’s tallest skyscraper, the Shard on the London’s South Bank.
He was picked up on the 72nd floor of the 945ft high building and has apparently been surviving on the scraps of food left by builders. He was checked over (and from his photo he looks in pretty good nick!) and released nearby as foxes tend to live in family groups with a joint territory.
PS English pedants will know that the line from Shakespeare actually means why are you called Romeo not where…but I couldn’t resist!

Meet Louie, the 9 month old pot-bellied crossbreed who is so agile he’s competing in dog display teams! The piglet was too small to live with the owner’s other pigs and instead roamed free…and became very interested in the canine agility equipment! Owner, Sue Williams, found that with the temptation of a ginger biscuit, Louie would happily run through tunnels and leap over fences. The other dogs have accepted him into their pack and if Louis is granted a licence, he could be appearing soon at Crufts!

Scientists have discovered the Egyptian Jackal may actually be more closely related to the wolf. As long ago as the 19th century, biologists raised this question because they look remarkable similar to the grey wolf but it’s only now with advances in DNA sequencing the link has been proven. More interestingly, a recent photo shows a wolf hanging out with some side-striped jackals, showing the complexity of the relationships between the species.