Jane Evans is Vice Chair of The Welland Valley Cavy Club and offers her advice around keeping these adorable, sociable rodents as pets

When Ellie Cameron persuaded her parents to get a puppy, their preference was for a pure-bred, hypo-allergenic, non-moulting breed. Little did they know they would lose their hearts to a Romanian street dog, who ‘moults like crazy and hasn’t even got a tail!’

Meet Rosie and Beetle, a pair of pigs belonging to Emma Brown. From the third generation of a farming family, Emma is no stranger to the inevitable lifecycle of agricultural livestock. Yet, there’s no chance of her beloved pigs ending up on her plate, thanks to their charm, intelligence and immense personality

When the Burrows family moved to a house with a larger garden, Charlie (12) and William (9) wasted no time in assembling a flock of assorted birds, which provide the family and some of their lucky neighbours with delicious, free-range eggs. The boys tell Amander Meade why chickens make great pets

Amander Meade meets Daphne and John, pet donkeys belonging to the Ball family and two of the most popular residents of Rutland Farm Park in Oakham

Amander Meade meets Albarden, a former racehorse that found his forever home with local rider and business owner, Helen Smith, who runs Albar’s Den boutique in Oakham

Amander Meade meets Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog Joy, an English Springer Spaniel, and her owner Aimee Mearkle

Amander Meade meets Colin the camel, who belongs to Vernon Moore of Moores Estate Agents