Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Michael Blackwell receives the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award, using technology to reunite lost pets with their families and more!
Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Meet the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award recipient!We’re thrilled to announce that the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award goes to Dr. Michael J. Blackwell for his outstanding leadership and purposeful dedication to honor the human-animal bond. The award is named after Rich Avanzino, the father of the no-kill movement and Maddie’s Fund President from 1999 – 2015. This award recognizes significant achievement and… Learn...
Conservationists Help ‘Smiling’ Turtles Once Thought To Be Extinct Make A Comeback
It doesn’t matter how much we study nature, it has a way of surprising us on occasion. It happened recently when the Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) did something totally unexpected. These turtles are one of the world’s most endangered and at one time, they were thought to be extinct. Eventually, they were rediscovered in the early 2000’s, and now they are making a comeback, thanks to a breeding program. Burmese roofed turtles were once plentiful in the rivers of Miramar but the exploitation of their eggs and...
Video Of A Chimpanzee Trying A Popsicle For The First Time Goes Viral
There are many things that we may take for granted but it is only because we can’t remember the first time that we tried them. If we were able to look back on those moments, we would have an even greater appreciation for the things that we have on a day-to-day basis. At times, we can enjoy this by living vicariously through others. That is exactly what we do when we see this 2018 video of Limbani the chimpanzee enjoying a strawberry popsicle. He was at home at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation in Miami when the video was captured. Max...
A Rescue Goat And A Duck That Has Trouble Walking Become The Unlikeliest Of Friends
We hear about a number of different types of animal rescues but Goats of Anarchy (GOA) is dedicated to rehabilitating and rescuing goats with special needs. They own 30 acres of animal sanctuary in Hampton, New Jersey. That is where you will find a 7-month-old goat with a big heart, named Gigi. Gigi is well known for mothering some of the other goats on the property. She also happens to be close friends with Merlin, a duck that is not able to walk. When they rescued Merlin, they tried to help with splinting, a wheelchair, and prosthesis....
Only In Florida: A Turtle And An Alligator High Five Each Other
I think by now, most of us have become accustomed to seeing videos online. Watching videos is one of the most popular things that people do, and sometimes, they just tend to blend in. Every once in awhile, however, we see a video that really stands out. I think that is how most people feel about a video that has been making the rounds on Twitter recently. It was posted on the “Gator Daily” account and the simple video has gone viral. After all, it shows a gator and turtle passing each other and giving a “high-five.”...
Rescued Baby Piglet Befriends Dog And Sleeps On His Back Every Night
We often don’t give animals enough credit for being emotionally intelligent. But they are more than capable of forming strong bonds amongst one another, just like humans. One might even make the argument that animals are more caring and compassionate towards each other than some humans. And of all the animals, dogs seem to be some of the friendliest around. Dogs love to make friends with anyone and everyone. And we love to see the unique little friendships that blossom between animals of different species. It’s such a wholesome...
Meet the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award recipient!
We’re thrilled to announce that the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award goes to Dr. Michael J. Blackwell for his outstanding leadership and purposeful dedication to honor the human-animal bond. The award is named after Rich Avanzino, the father of the no-kill movement and Maddie’s Fund President from 1999 – 2015. This award recognizes significant achievement and courage to look beyond the status quo and make bold decisions to improve the lives of pets and their people. The award is presented with a $25,000 grant to be...
Jennifer Garner Dressed Her Dog As The Characters From Her Most Popular Roles
Over the course the pandemic this year we’ve all found our different methods of coping. Most of us have gone more mainstream routes, like trying to become our own sourdough bread bakers, while others have gotten very into Marie Kondo-ing their spaces with all the extra organization time that there’s been. For celebrity Jennifer Garner, lockdown has meant making videos staring her golden retriever, Birdie. The precious pup is often featured wearing costumes that draw inspiration from her many films and TV shows. Jennifer’s...
How animal welfare organizations can use technology to reunite lost pets with their families
Animal welfare organizations have been transitioning to a more community-centric model of animal sheltering, including how animal shelters and rescue organizations can support their community reunite with their lost pets. Does your organization offer services to your community that increases return to owner rates AND decreases your intake? Do you know the biggest obstacles someone trying to pick up their lost pet faces? Return-to-owner (RTO) expert, Gina Knepp, states that the two barriers blocking reunification are lack of...
Underwater Footage Shows The Weird Feeding Habits Of Flamingos
Flamingos are a funny breed of bird. They’re pink. They stand on one leg. They’re so quirky, you can’t help but wonder what their other habits look like, like when they eat. But because flamingos dip their heads underwater when they chow down, it’s difficult to tell exactly what is happening under the surface. But there is no need to wonder anymore. Thanks to the San Diego Zoo, the feeding habits of the flamingos are now public knowledge. The zoo inserted an underwater camera into the flamingos’ feeding pool,...
