The best photos of 2009 24 DecBe moved, humbled and amazed by our selection of the most outstanding photos from the year.

It seems that the mystery -- and it's a big one -- surrounding a wayward Shetland pony found wandering the streets of Norwalk earlier this month may never be solved.

Alley Cat Allies, an advocacy organization for stray and feral cats, has launched a billboard campaign in Baltimore. At 20 roadside locations around the city, the group has put up Every Kitty-Every City billboards featuring a sweet buff cat and the

An animal charity has been rounding up a colony of about 20 feral cats in the hope of re-homing them on farms as eco-friendly pest controllers. Cats Protection in Bournemouth has been setting traps at a car park in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in the

Australia will lift a five year ban on animal-to-human transplant trials at the end of 2009, the National Health and Medical Research Council said on Thursday. The council said developments in science and technology since the xenotransplantation

Federal inspectors will look into a bear attack at a zoo that left the manager with serious injuries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates captive animals under the federal Animal Welfare Act, will send inspectors unannounced to the Chief

BRITAIN'S only Polar Bear has stunned her zookeepers by hiding from a fresh flurry of snow. Edinburgh Zoo's former favourite attraction - Mercedes the polar bear

They are known as the gardener's friend and brighten up many traditional Christmas cards perched on a spade. But, as these extraordinary pictures show, one robin has become much closer to a tree surgeon. The extra tame bird flies to John Hancock'

Police watched as demonstrators staged a mock funeral march to mark international animal rights day at a controversial animal testing laboratory. A dozen protesters gathered in Wickham Square dressed as funeral ushers and mourners, carrying a miniature

The tiny creatures are said to be stealing the hearts of rich women, including footballers' wives and girlfriends, ousting designer dogs like Chihuahuas from their handbags. At five inches long, owners have told breeders they prefer the hedgehogs to