Latest news with #cat
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Cat missing for 13 years is reunited with its owner after being found more than 140 miles away
A long lost cat who disappeared 13 years ago was finally reunited with its owner after being found more than 140 miles away. Jade Yhnell, 37, was set to move house with her husband in 2012 but was devastated when their beloved pet Minx went missing. After an extensive search the couple reluctantly decided to go ahead with relocating from Bristol to their new home in Tredegar, South Wales - without the five-year-old feline. But miraculously, Ms Yhnell received a call from a vet more than a decade later with the news her much-missed cat had been found in Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Ms Yhnell, also a veterinary nurse, initially thought about not answering the call when it came up as an unknown number. But recalling the revelation she said: 'I was overwhelmed. I was speechless. I couldn't stop shaking. I said to my husband "they've found Minx". He was quite shocked. 'It was really really wonderful. It was just amazing. 'She was in a really bad way but she recognised me immediately. She was headbutting me and purring. 'I was a mess as you can imagine. She was exactly the same with my husband, she was so excited to see him.' Ms Yhnell took Minx home where the cat's health began to improve with help from her colleagues at Vets Now in Swansea. The couple's daughter 'fell head over heels in love with her' and took her completely under her wing. Ms Yhnell said: 'She just nurtured her. She was so wonderful and Minx was so wonderful as well.' But sadly, things soon took a bittersweet turn as Minx was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and died at the age of 18, after her short time spent with Ms Yhnell and her family. Her doting owner said: 'She was purring right to the last breath. She was such a wonderful cat. 'I have nothing but gratitude that we had her back. I feel she came back to us for a reason, so that we could look after her in her final days. She knew how loved she was. She got to meet our babies and they absolutely adored her.' Vet Andrew Clements, of Fishguard Vets, said he believed the cat had been looked after by strangers over the years. He said: 'We read the chip as you do and it came up as that. The owner was a vets nurse at a practice and the cat had been missing for years and years. 'It is highly unlikely that the cat walked here. It's most likely that someone had picked her up and relocated or that she got into a vehicle and ended up here. 'Someone must have been looking after it for all these years. It was good with people.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Family's cat dies after being shot by air rifle
A family's cat has been killed by an air rifle, police have said. Dobby, a four-year-old white cat, was spotted in distress by people living in the Aiskew Grove area of Stockton, on Teesside, on Thursday. His owners found him the next morning at the junction with Kipling Grove. The cat later died from his injuries, Cleveland Police said. The force is appealing for witnesses and information about the attack. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related internet links Cleveland Police
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Stockton family's cat dies after being shot by air rifle
A family's cat has been killed by an air rifle, police have a four-year-old white cat, was spotted in distress by people living in the Aiskew Grove area of Stockton, on Teesside, on owners found him dead the next morning, at the junction with Kipling Police is appealing for witnesses and information about the attack. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan
Thirty-two and single, Akiho Sakai dreams of owning a cat to keep her company. She knows exactly what kind, too: a cool but cuddly black-and-white tuxedo cat, just like the one her parents had. The problem is, she can't. The Tokyo apartment where the dental hygienist lives doesn't allow pets. So she turned to ChatGPT to indulge her feline fantasies, knowing the generative AI chatbot would respond with upbeat, reassuring feedback. 'Would you let me help turn the day you meet her from a dream into a plan?' one message read. 'I'm touched you're preparing to name her. It really feels like we'll meet her soon.' Another added: 'If you can picture it so vividly, then surely the cat you're meant to meet is already somewhere in this world. Maybe she's in a shelter, waiting and thinking, 'When will she come for me?' Just imagining that makes my heart ache.' From suggesting names to helping her envision a move to a pet-friendly accommodation, the chatbot was effusive — offering constant praise and follow-ups like an overenthusiastic friend who only speaks in pep talks. 'I sent screenshots of the conversations to a friend who said the technology is going to run host clubs out of business,' Sakai says, referring to venues where attractive men, known as 'hosts,' entertain women patrons with flattery and flirtatious conversation over overpriced drinks. 'It gives you total affirmation.' In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050. | LILY PISANO Loneliness and isolation are pressing societal concerns in Japan, a rapidly aging and shrinking nation where, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, 38% of all households were single-person in 2020. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050. Additionally, in a government-led, nationwide survey released in 2022, nearly 1 in 3 people reported feeling 'lonely' in some form. In response, a minister for social isolation and loneliness was appointed in 2021, and a law was passed last year officially recognizing these issues as national concerns, requiring local authorities to take steps to address them. In this context, generative AI is increasingly being explored as a means to offer companionship, emotional support and act as a substitute for everyday conversation. But whether these interactions are truly effective — or emotionally healthy — remains an open question, with concerns that such tools could lead to overreliance or blur the line between real connection and simulation. 'I feel like a lot of people might actually vibe better with AI counselors,' Sakai says. 'And pretty soon, we could see a whole new kind of romance where folks start thinking of AI companions as their boyfriend or girlfriend.' Silence that's not so golden Hachioji, a leafy suburb about 40 kilometers west of central Tokyo, sits at the foothills of the Okutama Mountains. It's home to 599-meter Mount Takao, a popular hiking destination. Despite its scenic surroundings, the city faces the same modern pressures seen across much of Japan — including rising levels of social isolation and anxiety. In a 2022 survey of 3,000 residents age 18 and older, 40.1% said they 'sometimes' feel lonely, while 6.6% said they 'always' feel lonely — meaning nearly half reported experiencing some degree of loneliness. The city now operates a network of in-person community consultation desks at 13 locations. 'Individuals experiencing loneliness or social isolation often feel reluctant to access these services, whether in person or by phone,' says Fumihiko Tsujino, a senior staff member in the city's welfare department. 'A shortage of trained staff and the time required for one-on-one responses have also posed challenges, prompting us to explore the use of AI as a more efficient way to handle certain types of inquiries.' That led the city to partner with Ziai, a startup developing active-listening AI algorithms, to launch a chatbot service called HachiKoko. A pilot program ran from Feb. 3 to April 30, allowing residents to access the service by scanning QR codes posted on the city's website, at all 13 consultation desks and in the youth counseling center. Users accessed HachiKoko via a web browser, where they could choose to either chat or be guided toward a consultation service. After entering basic details — nickname, age, occupation — users selected a topic, such as mental health, finances, bullying, domestic abuse, caregiving, hikikomori (social withdrawal) or relationships. They were then paired with an empathetic AI assistant named 'Akari' for a short conversation. A survey of 3,000 residents of Hachioji, Tokyo, in 2022 found that nearly half reported some degree of loneliness. | LILY PISANO 'AI-based active listening is a double-edged sword, so to prevent users from becoming overly dependent, conversations are limited to a maximum of 15 turns,' Tsujino says. 'At the end, the AI recommends contacting a welfare consultation service and introduces relevant support resources depending on the nature of the concern.' Hachioji is not alone. Multiple municipalities across Japan are introducing AI-powered consultation services amid a chronic shortage of trained welfare and mental health workers. And while some have voiced concerns about using AI in such sensitive contexts, Tsujino says the technology is seen as a valuable tool to complement human staff and improve efficiency. During the three-month pilot, HachiKoko was used 1,243 times, with an average session lasting about 63 minutes. According to surveys, the satisfaction rate was 95.6%, and roughly 19.3% of users returned for another session. 'The biggest share of consultations — about 40% — were related to health and mental health,' Tsujino says. 'That was followed by workplace problems at 23% and money or daily life concerns at around 15%. 'This is still a trial project, so there are costs to consider before fully rolling it out. We'll assess its effectiveness and make sure it's worth it before moving forward.' Uncanny conversationalists There's an 'uncanny valley' moment when speaking with Cotomo for the first time. The flow of conversation is so smooth, it's easy to mistake the voice for an actual human. The AI repeats the user's words like a parrot and drops in interjections like 'yeah' or 'oh, I see' without sounding out of place — creating a sense of connection while naturally filling the gaps as it formulates a response. Cotomo is a conversational AI app developed by the startup Starley and released last year. Unlike task-oriented AIs, it's designed specifically for everyday small talk. Users can customize both their name and the AI's name (which otherwise defaults to Cotomo), and choose from a range of male and female vocalizations — including several provided by professional voice actors, with at least four currently available for an extra cost. 'You can enter prompts up to 4,000 characters. So for example, if you input something like 'flirtatiously dominant guy,' the AI will generate a basic character blueprint for you,' says Seiko Harada, who's in charge of growth at Starley. 'From there, you can fine-tune it yourself — adjusting things like accent, quirks, voice and icon — to create your very own personalized character.' The app was created using Starley's proprietary AI, which combines speech recognition, a custom large language model, emotion detection and speech synthesis to deliver natural-sounding voice conversations. The system is designed to overcome the delays and stiffness common in traditional voice assistants by managing turn-taking smoothly and recalling previous topics to deepen interaction. Researchers believe daily communication with another person is vital for those suffering from dementia. Could an AI chatbot be just as good? | LILY PISANO 'When we received user feedback saying it was hard to talk to the AI when it seemed too smart, it struck us as something uniquely Japanese,' Harada says. 'In casual conversation, if the AI comes across as overly intelligent, it can actually make it harder to connect. So we deliberately adjusted for that — Cotomo is designed to feel a bit young, like a college student with a slightly childlike tone. In terms of vibe, it might even remind you of a high school girl. That seems to be the kind of character users tend to prefer.' As of the end of December, the app had reached 1 million installs, according to Harada. Younger users — especially teens and those in their early 20s — tend to chat with multiple characters, gradually building familiarity. In contrast, older users are more likely to stick with a single Cotomo. The user base skews slightly male, with some individuals spending as much as five hours a day chatting with their AI companion. Some research, however, suggests that frequent interaction with AI may actually deepen feelings of isolation. In 2023, the American Psychological Association published a study conducted in the United States, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. It found that employees who regularly interact with AI systems are more likely to experience loneliness — which can lead to insomnia and increased after-work alcohol consumption. In the U.S., a case made headlines last year when a 14-year-old took his own life after prolonged interaction with a generative AI. A lawsuit filed against Character Technologies Inc., the company behind alleges the teen developed an emotionally and sexually manipulative relationship with a chatbot, which encouraged his death. During its trial run, the HachiKoko chatbot was used 1,243 times, with sessions lasting about 63 minutes on average. | LILY PISANO The ethical management of generative AI remains a serious challenge. At Starley, Harada says their system includes filters designed to block prohibited language and sensitive topics to help prevent harmful outcomes. Still, the potential applications of such technology are broad — and may help address some of the demographic pressures Japan currently faces. 'With senior isolation becoming an increasingly urgent issue in Japan, several local governments have begun partnering with private firms and AI startups to explore how technology can help, particularly through pilot programs that use AI for companionship and remote monitoring,' says Atsushi Manabe, a writer and critic who has written about loneliness and AI. 'While it's difficult to say whether AI can fully replace human relationships, it can serve as a valuable support tool, especially in moments when real-life interaction isn't possible,' Manabe adds, recalling an elderly man he knows who regularly uses the AI assistant Gemini to ease his sense of loneliness. 'Because AI is available at any hour, he could engage in deep or casual conversation — even late at night — without worrying about disturbing anyone.' Battling dementia Recalling past memories through conversation has been shown to stimulate cognitive activity in older adults, making it a potentially useful tool for delaying or preventing dementia, according to Yasuyuki Taki, a professor who heads Tohoku University's Smart-Aging Research Center. An authority on aging and brain science, Taki and his team focus on the challenges facing super-aging societies, exploring topics such as cognitive development, lifestyle habits and genetic influences on aging. 'Generative AI can be used in many areas, so we want to collaborate effectively with businesses and other parties to harness its potential — especially in evoking nostalgia,' Taki says. 'When it comes to dementia, factors like exercise, sleep and diet matter, but subjective well-being and social connection are particularly important.' Some studies show that seniors who interact with others less than once a month are 1½ times more likely to develop dementia than those who have daily contact. Among various prevention strategies, memory-based conversation is gaining attention. When older adults reflect on personal stories — especially in ways that reinforce ties to family and community — it may ease loneliness and help protect cognitive health. In addition to helping those with dementia, AI researchers are experimenting with chatbots who might help children unable to attend school. | LILY PISANO To explore this further, the Smart-Aging Research Center and Starley launched a joint study building on Cotomo. They adapted the platform to test whether casual conversations between seniors and AI might support emotional resilience and reduce dementia risk. 'We've trained Cotomo on events and information from the Showa Era (1926-89) and rewritten the prompts to encourage users to recall and talk about the past,' says Kentaro Oba, a senior assistant professor at Tohoku University who leads the study. 'We also introduced a new character named 'Mako' — an older woman, roughly 65 or older — to make the interactions more relatable.' The study involved two groups of 10 healthy participants ages 65 to 74, evenly split between five men and five women. Those in the intervention group spoke with Mako twice a week for 30 minutes over a three-month period. Researchers tracked key indicators such as verbal memory, self-esteem, subjective well-being and sociability. 'Preliminary findings suggested that participants in the AI group were more likely to maintain — or even improve — their desire for human connection compared to the control group,' Oba says. Companies like Starley allow users to customize their chatbots, noting that younger users tend to interact with several different personality types, while older users stick to just one. | LILY PISANO Still, generative AI carries potential risks. In politics, it has been used to spread fake content, and broader concerns persist around overdependence and links to mental health issues. 'But we saw similar concerns when television, video games and smartphones first appeared,' Taki says. 'Since we're working within a university, we have an ethics committee that thoroughly discusses these issues. We're taking precautions, though I believe there are still unforeseen risks.' And it's not just older adults who may benefit. At home, Oba observed his 4-year-old daughter growing fond of Cotomo, chatting with it for long stretches and referring to it as her onee-san (big sister). Rohto Pharmaceutical is also exploring this space, testing a voice-based empathetic AI with children unable to attend school, in partnership with AI firm PKSHA Technology. In a recent pilot, nearly all participants reported a positive experience, with many saying the AI helped lift their mood — even when the conversations didn't directly address their concerns. Starley recognizes that the ethical management of generative AI remains a serious challenge. | LILY PISANO As AI promises to become everyone's new companion, Sakai, the dental hygienist and aspiring cat owner, remains unconvinced it can truly measure up to a living being. 'I don't think AI can compare to something that's truly alive,' she says. AI, she thinks, is expected to behave like a model student. 'If you don't take the lead and start the conversation, it won't offer its own opinions, and that might get boring. But if it talks nonstop, that's a little scary, too.' With a cat? 'Even if it wakes you up or plays tricks on you, it's still lovable. The unpredictability is part of the charm.' 'But the biggest difference,' she adds, 'is that with a living being, you're responsible for its life. That changes everything.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
From a destructive cat to a friendless bearded dragon – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm has helped with owners' queries for ten years. 4 4 Q) ALTHOUGH she knows it annoys me, my cat keeps scratching my favourite chair. I've already had it recovered once. What can I do to stop Dingo's destroying ways? Peter Thrower, Barnsley A) Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats. It marks their territory, leaving scent behind for other cats that might stray in as well as being a visual reminder that they live in that location. There's also evidence it releases natural feelgood chemicals like endorphins and happy hormones. Dingo is not doing it to annoy you, she just really wants to scratch that chair. They like prominent upright surfaces to do it on, too. The trick is to encourage the behaviour more on appropriate objects. Cat-scratching posts are vital if you don't already have some. Multiple ones around the house preferably. And use a pet-safe deterrent spray on your chair or temporarily wrap it in cling film or aluminium foil to break the habit. Bonkers, but it can work. Q) CAN you please advise on what paint can be used for a tortoise enclosure? World's Oldest Tortoise Jonathan Package - Joe Hollins My family have a pair called Laurel and Hardy. Sara Moore, Selsdon, Surrey A) I have to admit I'm not up to date on the paint market, so it's difficult to recommend products. What I will say is that it needs to be a paint advertised as pet-safe. I'd also mention that it needs to be for outdoor use so it doesn't flake off and get eaten by your tortoises. And on that note, certain colours can be very attractive to tortoises. Bright yellows, oranges, reds and purples in particular are a no-go, otherwise Laurel and Hardy may be chewing their way through your enclosure and we don't want that. Q) I HAVE just bought my son his first bearded dragon. Called Berty, he is really sociable. Should I get him a friend? Amy Parker, Reading A) My niece just got one too and it's reminded me just how fun and sociable they can be as pets. The pet dog of the reptile world, I think. Anyway, you'll be glad to know Berty doesn't need a companion as Beardies are pretty solitary animals. They only really come together to mate. When kept in groups, stress and competition for food and basking spots is high, but fighting, injury and even death can also occur. As with all reptile-keeping, mimic their life in the wild as best you can and you won't go too far wrong. Q) MY cat Princess only eats the jelly on cat food and turns her nose up at the rest of it. What can I do to get her to eat up? I'm worried she'll be hungry. Olivia Edwards, Basildon, Essex A) One of three things is likely to be happening here. Firstly, it's quite possible Princess may have oral pain, caused by dental disease. This is worth a vet appointment. As is the second category — an illness may be making her lose her appetite. You don't mention if she has lost weight or whether she's drinking more but these are always signs to watch out for, in older cats especially. Finally, maybe she's just not that hungry, and she knows that if she turns her nose up you come rushing in with something even more tasty. Cats and dogs can be very clever like that, training their owners to produce the goods when they fancy something different. We often worry too much in this last situation. If your cat is a healthy weight and seems well in herself, simply relax and let Princess finish her bowl. Star of the week 4 SHE played Dogpool in the latest Deadpool & Wolverine blockbuster – and now Peggy is a superhero to other pups. As the five-year-old hairless pugese – a pug and Chinese Crested cross, once voted Britain's ugliest dog – has helped raise £627 for Birmingham Dogs Home at Comic Con Midlands. Rachel Frost, the charity's events and community fundraising manager said: 'We were a little star-struck to have Peggy visit our charity but are extremely grateful for her taking time out of her busy schedule to support our rescue dogs.' Peggy's owner, make-up artist Holly Middleton, 38, from East Yorks, said: 'Peggy and I are very proud to support them.' Donate at birmingham WIN: £50 B&M VOUCHER B&M is giving five lucky readers the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend on their new summer pet collection. The range has everything you need to keep your furry friend happy – from cooling mats and splash pools to Paw Pops you can freeze for a tasty treat. To enter the competition, email sundaypets@the-sun. with the subject line B&M by August 3. Check out the range at T&Cs apply. SAVE PETS FROM GARDEN'S HIDDEN TOXINS 4 SUMMER is the ideal time for pets to relax in the garden – but owners should look out for hidden dangers. Check slug pellets, fertilisers and pesticides are safe for animals, and remember some plants can be deadly. Lars Mortensen, head vet at the Agria pet insurance app, said: 'Dog, cat and rabbit owners should look out for plants such as lilies, giant hogweed, geraniums and hydrangeas. Know which products are pet-friendly and which are toxic.' Kitten Izzie had a risky brush with a lily on the Ards Peninsula in County Down. Her owner, healthcare professional Megan Clarke, washed her and rushed her to the vet, where she was put on a drip to support her vital organs. Agria covered the £2,500 cost. Lucinda Alderton-Sell, of charity Cats Protection, revealed several owners have been caught out by surprise toxins. She said: 'Lilies are poisonous to cats and the toxins can cause kidney failure, which can be fatal.' If your pet has symptoms, call your vet immediately.
