Dog owners have been urged to keep their pets cool this weekend to avoid the heartbreak of losing a much-loved companion.

With weather forecasts predicting that temperatures could hit highs of 20c over the next few days, the RSPCA has issued its regular appeal to owners to keep their dogs safe in the sun.

RSPCA chief vet James Yeates said: “A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and insurer LV= have teamed up in 2015 to celebrate the country's most talented rescue dogs. The insurer is sponsoring Battersea's Rescue Dog Agility team, showing off the finest canine athletes, all champions in their own right.

Throughout the year the skilful hounds will demonstrate their speed, pooch precision, and fido-finesse at events around the country, entertaining huge audiences and proving that rescue dogs can overcome any adversity and stay ahead of the pack.

The RSPCA is issuing a warning to pet owners that chocolate is toxic to dogs and can kill them.

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs, and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions and even death. Cocoa powder is the most toxic chocolate product, followed by dark and then milk chocolate.

The RSPCA would advise any pet owner to take their animal straight to a vet if they are worried about what their dog has eaten.

With age comes a certain charm, and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s old timers have got that in bucket-loads.

Senior Staffordshire Bull Terriers Ace, Cane and Monty are currently the London rescue centre’s oldest and quirkiest characters looking for homes to retire to and spend their best years.

Despite their advanced years, these three ‘grumpy’ old men still have a lot of love and affection left to give.

This nationwide pet celebration gets underway this Wednesday (April 1) and runs until May 4, encouraging responsible pet ownership and helping to raise thousands of pounds for UK pet charities.

Now in its 26th year, National Pet Month has chosen the theme of Pets and the Elderly: enjoying later years together and will shine a light on the positive impact pets have on the elderly as well as highlighting the need for forever homes for older pets.

The Kennel Club has raised serious concerns after being made aware of Ealing Council's consideration to increase the number of puppies that can be held on the premises of a local pet shop, from 8 to 40.

You know, it's funny but people's weight never bothers me - and indeed my own weight could do with being less than it is. But that's my business, and my decision, and I respect that fact that others make their own decisions about their own diet and weight.

Dogs Trust contact centre answers 100,000 calls in its first six months, including enquiries about parrots, donkeys, lizards and cats!

Dogs Trust’s national contact centre has taken 100,000 calls in its first six months with more than 20% of calls being from dog-lovers looking to give homeless hounds their ‘furry-tail’ ending.

The contact centre, based at Dogs Trust Manchester, opened on 29 September last year and now handles calls for the charity’s 20 UK-based rehoming centres.