The Mayor of Wolverhampton is encouraging people to put their little grey cells to the test when he hosts four charity quiz nights over the next few months. The general knowledge quiz is returning by popular demand and will be taking place in the Mayoral Suite at the Civic Centre on Thursdays 1 September, 15 December, 9 February and 4 May.

With police recording over 4,500 offences involving stolen dogs in the last two years in England and Wales, ethical retailer Pets Corner has put together an owner’s guide to help safeguard your dog from theft and what to do if an animal is stolen. Lucy Ross is an animal specialist and Head of Training at Pets Corner.  She said: “The emotional impact of losing a cherished pet is profound so if an animal goes missing it can be an incredibly distressing time for its owners.  There are a number of things that owners can do to help protect their pet from thieves as well as procedures they can follow if an animal is taken.”

In an exciting move by YHA (England and Wales), dogs are now welcome to stay with their owners at Youth Hostels that offer camping and cabins accommodation. The move will not only enable YHA to reach new customers but also enable dog owners to take advantage of nearly 60 YHA sites that offer camping pods, cabins, tipis, bell tents and pitch up facilities in their grounds. 

69% of people in the West Midlands picked seeing friends as the number one reason for bringing a smile to their faces, followed by listening to music and falling in love. Recent research commissioned by Wrigley’s Extra® to mark its partnership with leading charity Action for Children and the launch of oral health workshops shows that spending time with our friends is what makes us smile most.

While spring and early summer may bring a welcome break from the shorter days of winter, the rise in the pollen count can cause many humans to suffer from hay fever and other seasonal ailments. However, what is less well known is that pets can suffer just as badly. A survey in 2012 showed almost half (44%) of pet owners didn’t realise their pets can suffer from allergies. 43% admitted they wouldn’t know how to tell if their pet was suffering from an allergy.  

School children from Ward End Primary spent a day asking speeding drivers to account for their actions, after they were caught breaking a 20mph speed limit outside the school. Over the course of three hours 19 drivers were stopped by West Midlands Police and given the opportunity to face a panel of school children at a ‘Kids’ Court’, or face points on their license and a £100 fine. Those who were driving at excessive speeds of 37mph or more were immediately reported.