WE asked for your pet photos - and you didn’t disappoint!

Our pets mean a lot to us, and during lockdown they have been by our side at home, keeping us company and lifting our spirits.

As part of our new regular feature, the Telegraph & Argus is sharing readers’ pet photos and stories of why their furry and feathered companions mean such a lot.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Anthony McMillan’s Belgian Shepherd, Alfie, means “the world” to him.

Says Anthony: “Alfie started as a trainee police dog with Cleveland Police dog unit but didn’t quite make it. We adopted him at nine months old nine years ago while living in East Morton. We now live in St Francis Bay on the east coast of South Africa - Alfie loves his home by the sea, the sunshine and open spaces.

"This is Alfie and me outside our East Morton home in winter 2018.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Denise Norris of Keighley says of 10-year-old black cat Toulouse: “He’s my prince, my soulmate and my companion. He shows me affection and love as best a cat can! I don’t know what I’d do without him.

"When my father died I wasn’t capable of doing much. When I cried at night, Toulouse would touch my face gently with his velvet paw and stay on my bed all night.”

Whether you share your home with a loyal dog, a cute kitten, a lively bird, a friendly hamster or a more unusual pet, we would love to hear from you.

Here, we present a selection of readers’ pictures of their lovely animal companions - from a former police dog now living in the South African sunshine to a fun-loving budgerigar who follows his owner around the house and lands on her head.

We also feature Old Boy, a street cat who was taken in by Yorkshire Cat Rescue and would love to find a furr-ever home for the remainder of his days.

* To send us your pet photos and a little story about why they’re so important to you, or any funny stories you have about them, click here 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Meet Nelly, who has just turned a year old. Ellie Clayton and her partner Joe England of Bingley took her in after her previous owner was unable to keep her. Says Ellie: “She’s very cute but she has her moments...She has ripped down part of the ceiling in the cellar and she ate a chocolate cake then spat it out on the floor. I do a lot of baking and she tries to rip open packets of sweets and icing. She has very strange tastes for a cat!”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Megan Bakes of Clayton Heights says of her budgie Río: “He’s helped me so much through lockdown. I’ve been home alone a lot but he sits on my shoulder, making TikToks with me and flying round the house. He’s such a funny little creature, he never fails to put a smile on my face. When Rio wants to land on your hand, he often ends up on your head instead.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Old Boy (above and below) is 17 and was taken in by Yorkshire Cat Rescue, near Keighley, after he was found wandering the streets.

Says the cat rescue: “He loved being in his foster home but is back at the centre now and is crossing paws for a new home soon! He’s quite food orientated but has a ‘funny tummy’. He uses a litter tray, apart from the occasional accident next to it. We can talk about this to anyone interested in adopting him.”

Yorkshire Cat Rescue will pay for Old Boy’s old cat treatments and send him with a supply of food. He’s on tablets for life, which the YCR will pay for. “He’d love to find a special someone to take an old lad on who may not be as bouncy as a kitten. He’ll reward you with lots of affection and a snuggle on the sofa. He’s a friendly chap looking for a furr-ever home to live out his days.”

Email mail@yorkshirecatrescue.org or call (01535) 647184.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: