Pets at Risk as Study Reveals Humans Major Source of Animal Viruses
In the intricate web of life, the flow of viruses between species is more complex than previously believed. Recent research has revealed a surprising dynamic: humans are more often the source of viruses for animals than the other way around. This finding challenges long-standing assumptions and highlights the need for a broader perspective on our role in the transmission of infectious diseases. Photo: PexelsHumans transmit more viruses to animals than vice versa. Unraveling the Flow of Viruses An extensive study published in Nature Ecology...
Toledo Zoo Hosts Easter Egg Hunt For Animal Residents
All animals at The Toledo Zoo in Ohio are treated to daily enrichment to engage their mind and body. Since Easter is just days away, the caretakers have planned a fun Animal Egg Hunt for all the residents on Friday. Bright eggs will be placed in each animal’s enclosure and then visitors can watch as the animal searches for the treat inside. The eggs will vary in size and material based on the animal. Some will receive hard-boiled eggs, while others will get Jell-O eggs, raw eggs or paper-mache eggs stuffed with delicious treats. The zoo...
This Woman’s Tribute to Her Dog Will Leave You in Tears
Pets are considered family to many people, and losing one can leave a void that’s hard to fill. One woman’s unique tribute to her Golden Retriever, Max, illustrates the profound bond between humans and their pets, turning a simple home renovation into a touching memorial. Photo: TikTok / shariblivinShari B transformed her staircase into a tribute for her late Golden Retriever, Max. Preserving Memories in Wood During a home improvement project, Shari B. faced a dilemma when it came to repainting her staircase. One step, visibly...
How one shelter is using a field trip program to rally their community
“One of the best things we could have done for our shelter was create our Paws Around the Pee Dee program,” says Wendy Ransome, a foster coordinator, data manager and volunteer from Darlington County Humane Society in Darlington, South Carolina. (Pee Dee is a region in the northeast corner of South Carolina, which lies along the Pee Dee River.) The foster field trip program was developed when Ransome took the Short Term Foster and Field Trips Online Instructor-Led Course through Maddie’s® University and the shelter...
Woman Rescues Cat Dropped Into Her Yard By a Hawk
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! One day when I walked to my mailbox, I saw the neighborhood hawk fly up to his usual pine tree to eat the fish he just caught. He usually gets greedy and has a fish in each talon. Many times, he drops one of the fish on my lawn, so I was not surprised when something dropped from the tree. PHOTO: RUTH BALIS When I walked over to pick it up, I was shocked to find a tiny kitten, who was...
Your Dog Understands That Words Stand for Certain Objects, New Research Shows
We all say certain words to our pets on a regular basis, and they’ll often have consistent responses to them. How much do they actually understand the words themselves, though? A new study of dogs’ brain activity shows they may understand what the words themselves stand for. Research recently published in Current Biology aimed to see if dogs have object word knowledge, which the team says has not been identified in any non-human animals. To conduct the study, the researchers used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to measure dogs’...
Asha the Elephant Trapped in Solitude at Virginia Zoo Faces a Bleak Future
In the rolling hills of Virginia, a story unfolds that captures the complex intersection of animal welfare, legislation, and public sentiment. Central to this narrative is Asha, a 38-year-old African elephant, whose plight at the Natural Bridge Zoo has stirred hearts and ignited controversy. Photo: PexelsAsha, an African elephant, resides in solitary confinement at Virginia’s Natural Bridge Zoo. A Life of Isolation and Controversy Asha’s life at the Natural Bridge Zoo has been marked by solitude and an existence far removed from...
Overcrowded NYC Shelter Caring for Hundreds of Dogs Makes Desperate Plea for Help
Animal Care Centers (ACC) of NYC has three locations across New York and all are over capacity. Since the beginning of 2024, the shelter has taken in 1200 dogs. ACC has successfully found homes for hundreds of the stray and surrendered dogs, but hundreds more are still waiting. Screenshot: TikTok/@nycacc They are currently caring for 315 dogs in spaces that were built to house 185 dogs comfortably. This means that hallways, offices, and any open spaces are filled with dog kennels. “Our in shelter dog population is the highest it has...
Starving Manatees Push Wildlife Advocates to Sue Federal Agency
The manatee, a gentle giant of the marine world, faces a precarious future. These aquatic mammals, known for their peaceful demeanor and slow movements, find themselves at the heart of a growing environmental crisis. Delays in their reclassification as an endangered species have sparked a significant legal and conservationist outcry. Photo: PexelsManatees risk extinction due to severe habitat threats. Legal Battles and Bureaucratic Delays A coalition of environmental organizations and advocates has taken a stand against the sluggish pace at...
Big Boy Boulder Finally Finds Perfect Home
Boulder was overlooked by adopters due to his size and breed, but he has finally found the perfect home. He is proof that good things come to those who wait. The 5-year-old pit bull mix is a big boy, weighing 100 pounds. However, he is overweight and needs to lose roughly 20 pounds. While his size may intimidate some people, his caretakers shared that he is a “gentle giant” and a “big mush”. He loves people, children, and gets along with other dogs. Screenshot: TikTok/@humanebroward His handsome face was shared by...
