pets

MELISSA Joan Hart has sparked an online debate after posting a video of herself punting her former co-star, Salem the Cat.

The actress’s talking black cat, Salem – voiced by Nick Bakay – was a staple character on the ABC sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, on which she starred from 1996 to 2003.

However, it turns out Melissa, 49, wasn’t a big fan of the cuddly creature and made it known in a shocking Instagram clip.

In the video shared on Thursday, the TV star filmed herself stroking a fake black cat perched on her lap.

She wore casual attire of blue jeans and a skintight red tank top, with her blonde hair flowing straight down.

The words, “When people ask me if I’m a cat person,” were written over the clip.

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Things then took an unexpected turn when a white blast of glitter appeared, and Melissa suddenly threw the cat in the air and kicked it out of sight.

The scene then magically turned into Melissa, formally dressed in a white dress and her hair in a ponytail, while petting a large dog at her feet.

“No Salems were harmed in the filming of this silly video. PS I like cats, but I love dogs!” the TV star clarified in her caption.

Although Melissa made it clear that the cat in the video wasn’t real, nor did she have magical powers like her character, Sabrina, fans had mixed reactions to her stance on cats vs. dogs.

“Not going to lie this was a bit heartbreaking, poor Salem lol,” one person commented.

“Cats are the absolute best in this world, amazing creatures that should be treasured,” demanded another.

“Dyyying. Sorry cat people! Love kitties too. That was just the right kind of wrong Melissa,” said a third

“No! It’s okay to LOVE them both…” insisted a fourth.

“This just broke something in me,” reacted a fifth.

“I’m ok you not loving cats but saying it like that was just not funny for me,” added a sixth.

“This was unnecessary. People hurt black cats every day. This is not nice. Tasteless…” someone else wrote.

“That hurt. You can love both cats and dogs. No need to choose one,” chimed in another.

“Awwww but we all got black cats because of you!” one more pointed out.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch ran on ABC for seven seasons and was a part of the Friday night (TGIF) lineup.

Melissa’s co-stars on the show include Beth Broderick, Caroline Rhea, Nate Richert, Jenna Leigh Green, Lindsay Sloane, Elisa Donovan, and Martin Mull.

In June 2024, Melissa led the cast in paying tribute to Martin, who played Principal Willard Kraft, after his death.

TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways rules on flying with pets including the airlines that do allow you to bring animals into the cabin

Every pet owner has found themselves missing their cuddly companion when away from home. If you’re particularly close to your dog or cat, you might even be wondering whether it’s possible to take them with you. Policies vary from airline to airline, as does the cost. It’s also worth checking the requirements for bringing pets to your destination, as well as returning to the UK with your pet, as you’ll need to follow a number of steps to get them through customs.

Here’s what some popular airlines say about travelling with animals.

TUI

Pets aren’t allowed in the cabin of TUI’s aircraft, although registered assistance dogs can travel with their owners for free. Any other animals need to travel in the hold, and TUI say pets will usually go on the same flight as their owners. Its website reassures owners that: “The hold is pressurised and at the same temperature as the passenger cabin.”

Pets need to be kept in a travel box with a water bowl, and cannot be medically sedated, although herbal calming products cam be used. Owners will need to call or email TUI beforehand to check whether their pet can be accommodated, as some routes have restrictions, and to arrange for their pet’s travel in advance.

EasyJet

EasyJet’s policy is clear: “Animals are not allowed on our flights, apart from recognised registered guide and assistance dogs.” Animals can not be carried in the cabin or hold.

Passengers travelling with assistance dogs will need to contact the special assistance team in advance, at least 48 hours before the flight, and will need to provide documents that the pet is a trained assistance dog. The dog will also need an animal health certificate, or pet passport if accepted, and the necessary vaccination certificates depending on the destination.

Ryanair

Ryanair also say: “We do not carry animals on board any Ryanair flights, except guide/assistance dogs on certain routes.” Assistance dogs need to be registered with an organisation such as Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

Ryanair added: “Emotional support or therapy dogs that are not recognized as assistance dogs by the above organizations are not permitted to travel with Ryanair.” It also has a list of requirements for assistance dogs on its website.

Jet2

Jet2 does not allow pets in the cabin or hold, and assistance dogs are the only animals allowed onboard. Assistance dogs travel with their owner for free, and Jet2 advise that passengers should contact their Assisted Travel Team before travelling so arrangements can be made.

It advises: “Please note an additional seat may be required to ensure there is enough floor space for the assistance dog to lie down, and if this is the case, an additional charge may be applicable depending on the size of the assistance dog.” Jet2 also warned: “If the assistance needs (including carriage of assistance dogs) of customers on the same flight create conflicting health issues, we reserve the right to decide how the conflict shall be resolved at our absolute discretion.”

British Airways (BA)

BA advise that all pets must be carried in the hold on flights to and from the UK. It has partnered with cargo services that specialise in the transport of pets, details of which can be found on its travelling with pets page.

BA warn: “British Airways is unable to accept emotional support dogs for travel in the cabin on any British Airways operated flights. Your emotional support dog can travel as a pet.” However, it also makes an exception for assistance dogs, which can travel free of charge in the cabin. Assistance dogs will need to be registered and trained with a suitable organisation, and the dog will need to be registered ahead of the flight’s departure.

Air France

Air France is one of the few European airlines to allow pets in the cabin, but there are restrictions. It only allows cats or dogs up to 8kg in weight, and up to 75kg in total with its carrier. Pets over this size must go into the hold.

Owners will need to contact Air France before they travel and check the strict list of requirements. Certain breeds with snub-noses will need to be cleared by a vet to fly. This includes pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats. Pets can’t travel in the cabin on intercontinental flights and aren’t allowed in business class.

Vueling

Spanish airline Vueling also allow some pets onboard including dogs, cats, birds, and turtles, although they must be kept inside a carrier at all times when in the cabin. It does not allow pets in the hold.

The maximum weight for pets travelling on Vueling is 10kg including the carrier, and it’ll need to go under the seat in front of you. Pet owners will need to check the requirements for their destination country and should contact the airline to book their pet’s space.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Nearly 3 out of 10 households in South Korea raise pets, mostly dogs, government data showed Tuesday.

A survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs showed that 29.2 percent of households were raising pets at home in 2025.

Of such households, 80.5 percent raised dogs, while 14.4 percent raised cats and 4.1 percent fish.

Pet owners spent an average of 121,000 won (US$84) per month for their pets.

The survey marked South Korea’s first nationally approved statistical survey on pet ownership.

In a separate survey on animal welfare, also conducted by the agriculture ministry, a little less than half of respondents said pet owners appear to be properly complying with pet-related requirements, such as using leashes and identification tags.

Still, there existed a wide perception gap depending on the respondents’ pet ownership, with 86.9 percent of those who own pets saying they comply with the rules, while only 39.9 percent of non-owners gave the same response.

Regarding the penalty for animal abuse, 93.2 percent of respondents agreed with a need for stronger punishment for those who abuse animals, including bans on animal ownership.

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