As part of its mission to celebrate healthy, happy pets, NOAH is searching for the UK's smiliest pet. Pet owners across the country are being encouraged to enter photos of the pets grinning from ear to ear to be in with a chance of being crowned Britain's smiliest pet. The winner will enjoy a pet photo shoot with a professional photographer to capture their winning smile forever. The competition is part of NOAH's "I heart my pet" campaign which celebrates the love owners have for their animals and encourages them to think about their pet's health. To enter, visit www.pethealthinfo.org.uk and upload a photo or video of your smiley pet, with a paragraph about you and your pet. Competition closes on July 7.

Join the Metropolitan Police in completing the online National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) to help protect the well-being of the UK's horses and ponies. The annual online survey, which is run by the charity Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association, is available between May 18 and 24, 2014 and will take just five minutes to complete.

By completing the survey you will not only be helping horses, but you will also be entered into a draw to win amazing prizes including a Jefferies bridle, Olympia tickets, Arthur Carter hay steamer and many other prizes. Registration for NEHS is via the website, or by email.

This week is Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) 2014, and organisers are encouraging owners to support this year's campaign by making "one small hop" of change to their rabbit's care routine. This year RAW is aiming to simplify the steps that owners can take to ensure they meet their pet's five welfare needs - the five things that all pets need to be healthy and happy. It suggests making "one small hop" of change to the following welfare needs: environment; diet; behaviour; companionship and health.

For information and tips on how to make "one small hop" visit the RAW website here.

A nationwide equine grass sickness (EGS) vaccine trial has begun, following the success of a small pilot trial last year. Animal Health Trust (AHT) is now enrolling horses and ponies onto the ground-breaking vaccine trial, which aims to determine the effectiveness of a Clostridium botulinum type C vaccination. The trust will recruit 1,100 horses for a trial over a two-year period. Horses must be from premises previously affected by a high incidence of EGS. The research team will compare the incidence of EGS between groups of horses receiving the vaccination and those receiving a placebo. For more information, see the EGS vaccine trial website.

To mark the centenary of World War One, ZSL London Zoo will be launching guided tours, to provide an insight into the history of the world's oldest scientific zoo. The tour will take guests on a trip from the beginnings of the Zoological Gardens in 1826, through its 188-year history, featuring figures such as Charles Darwin and Winnie the Pooh, to the modern day.

The 45 minute tours will be open to the public and take place from April to November 2014, on the last Friday and Saturday of every month. To book a tour visit www.zsl.org or call 0844 414 5728.

Image courtesy of London Zoo

A 12-year-old girl who relies on the help of an assistance dog for her day to day life, is preparing to compete in a mini wheelchair marathon.

Lottie Wilcocks, who love in West Yorkshire, underwent nine hours of major surgery after she was born and has since had brain surgery as well as orthopaedic,bowel and bladder operations.

She has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and cannot feel her knees, shins or feet, and so she uses a wheelchair.

Her assistance dog Velvet from Dogs for the Disabled helps open doors, draws, switch on lights, pick up dropped items and puts Lottie's catheter in the bin.

Now Lottie, who hopes to emulate paralympic gold medalist Hannah Cockcroft, is taking part on the London Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon on Sunday (13) for the charity.

"Velvet is my best friend. She comes everywhere with me and gives me confidence to do things couldn't do without her", said Lottie.

Velvet accompanies Lottie when training for road and track wheelchair races. Lottie came second in the Great North Run in 2013 and trains with Rochdale Harriers and Manchester Kestrels. Sponsor her here.