Pet owners are being urged to report missing cats as new figures reveal a dramatic rise in cat theft.

Figures obtained by Yorkshire Cat Rescue show that just three cats were reported stolen to West Yorkshire Police in 2010. But in 2015, that figure had jumped to 22.

Sara Atkinson, founder of Yorkshire Cat Rescue, says she believes the reality is that many more cats are stolen each year.

"There is a tendency to assume that missing cats have either wandered off or been killed in traffic. But we believe that cat theft is on the rise and if more people reported missing cats to the authorities, we might learn the true scale of the problem," she said.

Keepers at Chester Zoo have become the first in the world to successfully breed and hatch Monserrat tarantulas, a rare and unusual species that is native to the Caribbean island of Monserrat.

A clutch of around 200 tarantulas hatched at the zoo, providing key new information about the species.

Veterinary professionals and students are being invited to share their views on mental health outcomes and work stressors among LGBT individuals. A survey, which is being carried out by the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) alongside the University of Auburn in Alabama, welcomes responses from LGBT individuals, but also those who do not identify as LGBT.

The aim is to improve understanding of work and education-related stress, in addition to experiences of work-related discrimination. Researchers hope to develop measures that create greater inclusivity of LGBT individuals in the veterinary profession.

Almost 36,000 dogs in Blantyre, Malawi have been vaccinated against rabies in the last 20 days, according to Mission Rabies.

Working with the Blantyre SPCA and WVS, Mission Rabies covered the whole city in just a month for the second year running.

Walking an incredible 4,500kms, the team of over 100 staff and volunteers also sterilised some 900 dogs and educated over 91,000 children.

New research suggests the Zika epidemic in Latin America is likely to 'burn out' within three years, as people are unlikely to be infected twice. Scientists from Imperial College London also concluded that the virus cannot be contained with existing control measures. Lead author Professor Neil Ferguson said the study used all available data to build a mathematical model of the current epidemic, giving an understanding of how the disease will unfold. For more information on the findings, visit: www3.imperial.ac.uk

The RSPCA says it investigated 511 calls about organised dog fighting last year. The figures were released ahead of a cross-party debate on the issue in Westminster on 29 June. The charity hopes to see MPs lending their support to tougher sentencing for this crime. In Northern Ireland, perpetrators face up to five years in prison, whereas in England and Wales the maximum is six months.