PetSmart makes bold change to spay/neuter policy
Animals staying in shelters longer, staffing shortages and lack of access to veterinary care have driven animal shelters and rescue organizations to find new ways to move animals out of the shelter and into homes prior to spaying/neutering. That’s why starting in July 2023, PetSmart Charities is waiving the requirement for puppies and kittens (under 6 months) to be altered prior to participating in in-store adoption events or being housed in PetSmart Adoption Centers. This spay/neuter waiver will be piloted through the end...
Deaf French Bulldog and ‘Love Bunny’ Pug Are Quite the Pair
The following story was a finalist in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo 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! Murphy the French bulldog is deaf. PHOTO: JAN TURP She has learned some sign language and is my constant shadow. It doesn’t matter if she is dead asleep; within a few seconds, she finds me. She turns 7-years-old in November. She is a Queen Bee and definitely knows it. SHARE YOUR OWN RESCUE STORY She is a...
Cuddly Chocolate Pibble, Rocky, is Through Roughing it if You Can Help
Say hello to Rocky! Rocky is a very sweet, friendly boy that was found as a stray in 2021. He stayed with his rescuer for quite some time, but ultimately it wasn’t meant to be his forever home. He then came to Pima Animal Care Center, where he’s been ever since. Rocky was housebroken in his finder’s home with regular potty breaks, but he seems to have had a tough life before his time in their home, and he has the scars to prove it. He really deserves to find a place where he can be spoiled for the rest of his life and where...
Running with Your Dog: Meet Ona the 5K Racing Yorkie
One could say that Ona, a punky 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, has enjoyed a pretty bright and breezy lifestyle over the years soaking up the sun in Southern California. Lots of beach days, a comfy warm bed and a big pile of plush toys. What more could she want? Well, as it turns out, she wants to run! Nearly 50 races and counting Ona likes to take the lead during the races, so her dad and running partner, Jeff, follows her nearly the whole time. © Alan De Herrera Weighing in at just 6 pounds and standing a mere 6 inches from the ground,...
Harmful Consequences for Animals and Ecosystems When People Interfere With Wildlife In National Parks
The National Parks of the United States are a collection of breathtaking wilderness areas that provide a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife. These parks, from Yellowstone to Yosemite, Grand Canyon to Great Smoky Mountains, serve as vital habitats for numerous species and play a crucial role in their conservation efforts. However, the impact of human activity within these pristine natural spaces cannot be ignored. From feeding wildlife to disturbing their natural behaviors, certain actions can have devastating consequences for the...
Visit Oklahoma’s Museum of Osteology and Meet Their First Ever Cat Employee
Learning resources are now within reach with a simple click on your device. The internet can take you to an answer after using the right keywords. It’s astonishing how you can collect information in just a few seconds. Although immensely useful, you should still try to experience and see the things you find on the internet with your own eyes. It’s most especially recommended when you’re looking for historical resources, artifacts, artworks, or scientific discoveries. For this reason, people find time to visit museums...
Energy in Dog Training and Why It Matters
Energy is the language of life, but it’s one of the most neglected ingredients in dog training and behavior. Ignoring the energetic piece of the behavioral puzzle can mean more stress, strain, and struggle on both ends of the leash. With most dog parents, the focus is usually on the physical, performance-based aspects of training (e.g. obedience and agility training), as well as what the body is doing (e.g. pulling on the leash, destructiveness, etc.). But to really understand behavior, we also have to pay attention to the dog’s...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Training shelter dogs in prison, free stock photos and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The May Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are…On Monday, Maddie’s Fund® gave two organizations a $5,000 grant for attending the May Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $10,000 in grants was given to two people chosen at random. In addition, the Maddie’s® Pet Forum winner of $3,000 was also announced! These two people won a grant for their organization from the Weekly… Learn More Prison training...
How Therapy Dogs from an NYC Program Motivate Students to Practice Their Reading Skills
Reading is a fun escape, but for most kids, learning the skill can be challenging. The difficulty often roots from pressure, limited exposure to reading materials, struggles with speech sounds, and lack of confidence. Rather than face the challenge, they prefer to play outdoors or watch television. That’s why it takes a whole lot of patience to teach a kid how to read. Schools and education-based programs have established strategies for years to help with this. Kids need to realize the value of reading skills at an early age. It’s...
The Grow-Old-Together Type of Friendship Between a Woman and Her Loving Tortoise
A person will meet a lot of people that will play a significant role in their lives. Some are for temporary purposes, while others will permanently stay. The latter are your different versions of soulmates. That someone could be a romantic partner, a parent, a relative, a best friend, and most fascinatingly, an animal. People and animals magically meet each other and form a heartfelt connection. They could meet at adoption events, rescue missions, rehabilitation centers, or when the animal suddenly appears near their house. That first...
