Take this short survey on finding homes for “behavior dogs”
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Maddie’s Fund® will be hosting a half-day summit that will focus on finding homes for behavior dogs (more information to come!) In the meantime, we are looking for further input about topics in order to develop the most beneficial agenda for the day. (Please note that when we say ‘behavior dogs’, we’re referring to dogs who have a home history of behavior such as fear, impulsivity, separation anxiety, resource guarding, etc.) The survey is short and should take less than five minutes...
Dog Accompanies His Human to Her Retail Job, Enchants All the Customers
The following story was a finalist in the Tales of Summer Tails Photo and Story contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! Elvis gets to go to work with me at a local pet supply store. He’s allowed to sleep on the counter while I’m working on the register. PHOTO: ELIZABETH KING Many people come in, walk right past him, and don’t notice that he’s a live dog laying on the counter. Sometimes we just have to...
Lilo, Kona, and Maui Are a Trio of Littermates Ready for a Forever Ohana
This story was submitted by our shelter friend The Cat House on the Kings. The Cat House on the Kings saves pets’ lives in the Fresno County, California area, and the Animal Rescue Site is proud to share their stories. You can learn more about their work here! To create a strong humane future, we need the power of youth. When a caring young adult found a mother cat with her tiny young kittens at his new apartment complex, he reached out to us for help. He wanted to do everything he could to make sure this feline family was safe and...
Florida Wildlife Officers Help Bear Cub Escape From a Sticky Situation
Dish soap can be used for a few different things: Cleaning a wide range of household items, blowing bubbles, de-fogging glasses in a pinch, and… helping a bear escape? Yes, you read that right. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer was recently called to the aid of a black bear cub that had gotten one of its back paws stuck in the crook of a tree. Realizing they could use some backup, the officer called a bear biologist to the scene to get the little guy out of this un-bear-able situation. Remember that time...
From Bears to Bunnies: Adorable Animals Caught In The Act Of ‘Splooting’
A delightful trend that has captured the hearts of animal enthusiasts and sparked an outpouring of affectionate images. It’s called ‘splooting,’ and it’s not only charming but also surprisingly common among a variety of animals. Photo: Facebook / Doug The PugDoug the Pug demonstrates the proper way to sploot. What is ‘Splooting’ and How Did It Start? “Sploot happens…” These words, shared by National Park Service officials in a Facebook post, introduced the world to the endearing concept...
Gabon Marks Decisive Victory Over Illegal Ivory Trafficking
Gabon, a lush African nation teeming with biodiversity, has recently achieved a significant victory in the ongoing battle against illegal ivory trafficking. This success comes as a result of a well-coordinated operation involving Gabonese authorities, Conservation Justice, and a determined effort to dismantle a notorious international ivory smuggling network. Photo: PexelsAn investigation in Gabon uncovered 19 tusks and four pieces of ivory weighing 120 kilograms. Unraveling the Network In early August, the Gabonese judicial police, in...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Hard-to place cats, humane education and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie’s® Insights is back! Social Behavior and Implications for Bonded Pairs in Group-housed Shelter CatsJoin us on Thursday, September 14 at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET to learn to identify positive social (prosocial, affiliative) behavior in cats, understand that being surrendered together is not adequate evidence for bonding and recognize the link between behavior and social bonding in cats. Register now Hard-to-place cats and humane education are among the...
Two Adventurous Cats Accompany Their Human Cross Country in a Trailer
The following story is a finalist in the Tales of Summer Tails Photo and Story contest. The top three finishers will receive $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Voting runs through September 8. To read more stories and cast your vote, click here! Two summers ago, I bought a truck and trailer and moved myself and my cats from California to New York, having many adventures along the way. PHOTO: JANET NELSON The kitties enjoyed traveling in the trailer, seeing the sights and smells of all the new...
Dog With Short Spine Syndrome Finally Adopted, Immediately Goes on Adventures with New Family
The following story is a finalist in the Tales of Summer Tails Photo and Story contest. The top three finishers will receive $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Voting runs through September 8. To read more stories and cast your vote, click here! My name is Grump. I was in a crowded shelter in the south before I was saved by a rescue group in Pennsylvania. I didn’t find a forever family right away because I have something called short spine syndrome. PHOTO: CAROL MOWERY I look a little...
Caring for Deaf Dogs and Cats: 10 Tips for a Happy, Safe Home
As pets age, they can begin to lose their hearing. On the flip side, a birth defect can mean some pets never have their hearing to begin with. There are plenty of health conditions that can cause hearing loss in the interim, too. While this may not lead to a huge disturbance for your pet, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to caring for a deaf dog or cat. Keep Cats Inside, In an Enclosed Outdoor Area, or On a Harness PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / KHUDOLLY If you have a deaf cat, they should generally remain indoors for their safety,...
