Catch up on the latest animal news. This week features: uncovering a gene for a respiratory syndrome in Dalmatians, skydiving dogs who take on poachers, research on the usefulness of animal testing, and a dog who nannies tiger cubs.

Some cat owners in Asia are designing their apartments with their cats in mind. Transforming their homes into so-called cat flats, cat owners in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are adding cat friendly features at home.

There’s no better way to start 2017 off on the right foot than to revisit some of the best pet stories from 2016. Whether by warming your heart or making you laugh, you can at least find a reason to smile with most of winter still ahead of you. Here are eight of NEWStat’s favorite stories from last year.

The results of the NEWStat survey are in! There’s no denying that 2016 was a tough year for many people, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t looking ahead to new opportunities. Two weeks ago, we posted a survey with one simple question: What are you looking forward to in 2017?

While Max and Bella once again top the list of most popular pet names, according to a Nationwide pet insurance report, there are some owners out there determined to stand out from a crowd.

Gigi, the toy poodle, went missing over nine years ago after a home burglary. In early December, Reba Hunter found her wandering around Roseville, Calif., and decided to take her to her veterinarian at AAHA-accredited Citrus Heights Animal Hospital. Hunter knew the dog needed to be treated and hoped that she could potentially take her home as a new pet.

Take the NEWStat survey to share what you are most looking forward to in the new year!

For pet lovers and practice staff, shopping the day after Thanksgiving will invariably include pet-related gifts. And for friends and family who, by choice or circumstance, don’t have a pet, there are some furry alternatives. The toy company Hasbro’s Joy for All brand launched a new, life-like robotic dog on Oct. 3, reported Business Wire. And Paro, an interactive therapeutic robotic seal developed by Japan’s National institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, is being used across the United States in hospitals and senior living facilities, reported CNN Wire on Oct. 4.

No doubt, your favorite furry friend helped relieve some of the post-election stress. Luckily, the folks on Capitol Hill were able to do the same. The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, Pet Partners, the Pet Leadership Council, and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council teamed up to bring therapy dogs to help Capitol Hill staffers on Nov. 9. The dogs helped staffers relieve stress, cheer up, and find comfort, reported Roll Call, a news source on Capitol Hill.

If you plan to include your pet in the Halloween festivities, you’re not alone. In fact, 16 percent of consumers plan to dress their pets in costumes this year, and 86 percent already know what that costume will be, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF conducted its 2016 Halloween Consumer Top Costumes Survey on Sept. 6-13, and 6,791 consumers responded, sharing their Halloween costume plans for their pets. The pumpkin, hot dog, and bumble bee topped the list.