The bodies of 55,000 pigs including breeding sows and piglets are still being recovered three weeks after the fire at the Alt Tellin farm and biogas facility in northeastern Germany, with ensuing protests against plans to rebuild. But even before the tragedy of March 30, the site had long been the subject of legal controversies and demonstrations from both local interest groups and animal protection activists.

Blue Peter has managed to enrage farmers by suggesting that kids can be ‘climate heroes’ by giving up meat for two weeks. Children could earn a green badge by taking a two-week pledge to become climate heroes by doing things like switching off appliances to save power, avoiding disposable plastics, planting pollinator-friendly plants and, heaven forbid, not eating meat.

The end of lockdown may be in sight, but for many companion animals brought into homes over the last year seemingly on a whim by people hoping to alleviate their boredom or get free eggs, the picture isn’t so optimistic. From dangerously maladjusted dogs to chickens dumped in fields, remember that companion animals are for life, not just for lockdown.