Animals

Gallop horseracing to end at 25 tracks in France

A total of 38 courses impacted as horseracing industry seeks to cut losses

Humane ways to stop rodents getting inside your French home this autumn

A pest controller offers guidance on rat prevention without causing them harm

One million wild boar killed last hunting season in France but numbers still high

Numbers continue to rise in several departments

health

Man dies after contracting Shamonda virus in France

Case is world-first for transmission of illness to humans

Rats in my French home: does the mairie have to help?

Find out what obligations and powers French mayors have to tackle infestations

Wild boar keep destroying French garden: how to keep them out

Boars can damage lawns, vegetable patches and orchards searching for food

Do UK-born dogs need I-CAD registration to travel from France?

British couple face delays registering their dogs with France's I-CAD

Parisian suburb installs ‘bat boxes’ to combat tiger mosquitoes

Authorities in the commune of Suresnes hope the bats’ appetite for the insects will help cut numbers

Hundreds of dachshunds to descend on Paris this weekend

The charity walk will take place on the Champs-Élysées for the first time

Catch up with stag mating season in France

Enjoy unedited 'slow TV' that immerses viewers in the natural sounds of a French forest

Firefighters adopt cat saved from a bin during Nouvelle-Aquitaine wildfires

Found weighing just 309g, Saumos has now become the youngest member of the fire station

Confusion over EU pet passport rules for UK to France travel

Several readers query advice given by Brittany Ferries

Are you responsible if your dog bites a burglar in France?

Home insurance policies often cover damage from pets

French fishers unite against invasive American blue crab

Many live in Occitanie lagoons, wreaking havoc on local fishing activity

Cat missing for 17 years found after Gironde wildfire rescue

The reunion came after animal rescuers checked its microchip

Learning French: How animals talk differently depending on language

French cats do ron-ron, can you guess for other animals?

French mayor issues bylaw banning barking dogs at night

Heatwave and open windows made incessant barking ‘unbearable’, with owners at risk of €135 fine

New sanctions for unauthorised dog and cat sales in France

Pet shops face fines of up to €1,500 per animal if breaching rules

Cool off with a swim on horseback in the sea on Île d’Oléron

Scenic island off France’s west coast hosts a refreshing activity for horses and riders alike

Forest fire with flames among trees and a social media post overlay showing a fox illustration.

Association saves domestic and wild animals from wildfires in France

Deer and cats are the most affected by fires in Gironde says charity

Increase in number of invasive snapping turtles in south of France

More sightings recorded in Pyrénées-Orientales; the turtle is also found in 29 other departments

Smiling woman seated on a sofa holding a brown dog indoors.

How we started an animal shelter in Dordogne

Former psychiatric nurse Sharon Lee-Chappelle wanted to do more than volunteer

France to renew list of animals classed as 'susceptible to cause damage': see which species are included

The new three-year classification would allow certain species to be trapped or shot outside the hunting season

Discover Aude's wild beauty on a botanist-led donkey trek

Jonathan Kemp shares his experience of trekking through the Corbières mountains to explore nature's wonders and local historical sites

Family in eastern France struggles with hundreds of bats living in their home

Bats are a protected species in France meaning they cannot be disturbed

Electric ants and Asian hornets: France pushes for EU-wide eradication effort

Ecology minister demands greater EU coordination to tackle invasive species

What to do if a stray cat makes itself at home chez vous in France

A vet explains what to do, from checking ownership and microchips to neutering, I-CAD registration and long-term care

How to identify mustelids in France: polecats, badgers, martens and weasels

A practical guide explaining key features, habitats and tracking signs to help spot these elusive animals

Cyclist in France severely injured after being chased by wild boar

Passers-by found the 64-year-old man unresponsive

Processionary caterpillar numbers on rise in northern France: what to do if you spot them

Several departments issued warnings over weekend, with certain areas closed to public

Updated: 14-metre whale found on beach in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

A young sei whale was found on a beach on Île de Ré, prompting an investigation into how it died and why it was in the area

Where in France you are most likely to see a viper

This year is looking similar to last when it comes to the snakes’ presence

Why you may see 'bin' bags on trees across forests and towns in France

The purpose of the bags can be determined by their colour and location

Which city is best in France for dog owners?

Annual study ranks areas on factors including green spaces and pro-pet policies

French authorities to release millions of sterile tiger mosquitoes

The measure has already proved successful in other countries in reducing the population

Video: French police show film of ‘drunk deer’ to warn rural drivers

Animals can act erratically after eating fermented fruit in spring

Why France still has millions of nightingales while UK numbers fall

The rossignol returns in spring - here is where to listen for it

Owner sues vet in western France after misgendered cat dies following sterilisation

The vet ‘did not verify’ the cat’s sex before operation and it died nine days later

Video: fleeing horses cause panic on motorway in Brittany

Three horses gallop wrong way down road for over a kilometre before being stopped

'The magical day I saw an otter in my Aude garden'

Jonathan Kemp on the otter conservation efforts that have led to their return

Brown dog standing in open car boot next to luggage

Pet passport rules clarified for Great Britain residents travelling to France and EU

EU passports are only for ‘habitual’ residents since rule change

Small dog watching a woman leave home with an orange suitcase

EU pet passports and GB-France travel: five questions answered

We answer your questions re French citizens, those taking pets to GB, and the closing of a potential loophole for second-home owners

Rare sighting of golden eagle in northern France excites birdwatchers

Juvenile bird is thought to be searching for its own hunting grounds

Man on sofa stroking a dog and a cat sitting close together

What is the cost of UK pet certificates for travel to France?

The cost differs depending on the vet practice and number of animals

Fisherman discovers dead caiman in canal near Lille

Investigation opened into suspected animal cruelty following find

Two dogs die after drinking from lake in south-east France

The dogs died in under an hour, others have fallen ill

Row over lion cubs in a circus in south of France

Case highlights tensions over France’s tightening rules on wild animals in entertainment

Act now to limit tiger mosquitoes at French home this summer

The insects are now in all regions of France

Dog owners in France reminded of spring lead rules

Regulations aim to reduce impact of pets on forest wildlife

Dog waste DNA helps to catch errant pet owners

French town sees 85% reduction in dog waste using DNA tracing technology

Bear sighting on Pyrénées hiking trail fuels local tensions

A reintroduction programme for brown bears continues to face opposition

What to do with an injured bird in France

France has strict rules governing interaction with wild animals

Spring in France: Why you should be careful walking your dog

Warmer days and blooming plants can also bring dangers to precious pooches

Petition to save dog accused of killing French woman reaches 30,000 signatures

Public prosecutor recommends Curtis be euthanised to avoid further incidents

Did an illegal pit bull dog kill woman in France? Court case opens

Pit bull terrier Curtis ‘obsessed’ with biting and may have been trained by woman’s partner

Group,Of,Chickens,On,A,Farm,Yard,Chicken,Eco,Farm

Can I install chicken coop for my own eggs during shortage?

Coops are subject to taxes if over a certain size

Taking a lead from the US: doggy daycare booming in France

Daycare facilities are catering for both busy pet owners and tourists

Warnings after dog poisonings in south of France countryside

More than 20 dogs, including truffle hunting animals, have been poisoned by mysterious pellets

Further sightings of processionary caterpillars in France prompt action from local authorities

Caterpillars have arrived early after mild winter

Several wolf sightings in centre of Frejus, Var

Rules have been relaxed around shooting wolves that threaten livestock

Animal-assisted therapy comes to France’s Nice airport to calm anxious passengers

Emotional support animals arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

Exotic ‘lipsticked’ song bird spreads across south-west France

Sightings and hearings of the Rossignol du Japon have caused a Facebook sensation, especially in and around the Pyrenees

Sam Barcham takes one of her horses for a ride

Why we bought horses after moving to France – and what it taught us

When reader Sam Barcham, 48, moved from England to the south of France, she never anticipated that riding lessons would lead to buying three horses of her own

Are pet vaccines a legal requirement in France?

Certain vaccinations are mandatory before animals can travel

France faces growing threat from invasive ‘electric ant’ species as funding for projects stalls

Aggressive colonies are difficult to eradicate and researchers need approval to test new methods

Fishing in France: New catch legislation for amateurs

Reporting measure comes into force for recreational sea fishing – but practical effects put off for now

Lubin Goldin (top left) and winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year (11-14) and European Wildlife photographer of the year (14 and under)

French teenager wins top wildlife photography awards for Alpine ibex photos

The Connexion talks to award-winning wildlife 14-year-old photographer Lubin Godin about his process and future plans

How can I protect my second home in France from mice while I am away?

Pests can enter homes at any period

How ‘invasive species’ the raccoon is a threat to both wildlife and humans

Despite the damage done by raccoons, there is no national strategy to address the problem

Confrontations with wild boar increase in France despite more hunts

Boar numbers are rising and the ‘unpredictable’ animals can cause serious injury

Mairie issues alert over snake on loose in Vendée

The five-metre long snake was reported to have been run over by a car last week but is yet to be found

Hiker videos pack of seven wolves at Alpine ski resort

‘Unprecedented’ video captures wolves roaming on slopes

Where are lumpy skin disease cases affecting cattle in France?

The outbreak has led to compulsory culls of cattle

Lost cat reunited with French family after 11 years thanks to identification tattoo

Tattoo helped shelter to find owners of the injured, elderly cat

Are new UK pet passports being introduced? Will they be accepted in France?

UK made easier pet travel one aim of talks earlier this year