Reviving the World’s Rarest Insect is a Battle Against Odds for the Tree Lobster
The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, commonly known as the ‘tree lobster’, is writing a remarkable story of survival and resurgence. Once abundant on Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of Australia, these insects faced near-extinction due to a rat invasion in 1918. Declared extinct in 1986, their rediscovery in 2001 on Ball’s Pyramid has sparked a global conservation effort, reports Science Alert, resulting in a dramatic turnaround for this critically endangered species. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Melbourne MuseumThe...
Thousands of Dogs Face Crisis at U.S.-Mexico Border as Migrant Wave Leaves Pets Behind
The U.S.-Mexico border has become a site not just of human migration but also of a distressing animal welfare issue. Thousands of dogs, abandoned amidst the flux of immigration, face a crisis of neglect and abuse. Photo: PexelsThousands of animals are abandoned annually along the U.S.-Mexico border. Migration and Canine Abandonment The influx of migrants into the United States, particularly in Texas border areas like Colony Ridge, has led to a surge in pet abandonment. According to Fox News, immigrants, often apprehended by Customs and Border...
Life, Death, and Size — The Hidden Factors Affecting Your Dog’s Lifespan
Why do smaller dog breeds generally outlive their larger counterparts? This perplexing question has intrigued scientists and dog lovers alike. Recent research sheds light on this phenomenon, revealing intriguing insights into canine longevity. Photo: PexelsSmall dogs generally live longer than large dogs. Size and Health: The Core of Canine Longevity A comprehensive study conducted by the University of Washington analyzed over 27,500 dogs across 238 breeds. This research, published in PLOS ONE, revealed that while dogs of all sizes suffer...
Barking Dog Helps Rescue Injured Owner Who Fell Down Steep Slope On Hawaii Trail
The Lanipo Trail (7.5 miles round-trip) is a popular hiking trail on Oahu, Hawaii, that goes along steep ridges and offers breathtaking views. It can be a challenging hike with the muddy and narrow paths. On January 15, a woman and her dog set out on the trail but ran into trouble a few hours later. Hikers reported seeing a barking dog about two hours from the trailhead without a handler on a steep mountain slope. One called 911 for help. The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) immediately responded with a rescue team in air and on foot....
Using Positive Reinforcement to Help Reactive Dogs
Reactivity in dogs is a common issue pet parents face. These pups are over-stimulated by sights, sounds, smells, people, and other dogs, usually because they’re afraid. They lunge, bark, growl, and become so focused on the stressor that they don’t listen and become difficult to control. What’s more, while reactive dogs aren’t necessarily aggressive, they can become aggressive. Training a reactive dog can be tough, but positive reinforcement is an effective, humane tool you can use to help your dog manage their...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Candid Conversations, Open Arms Challenge preparation, and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The 2024 Open Arms Challenge preparation begins in FebruaryJoin us for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. Maddie’s Fund® is partnering with 24 national organizations to encourage animal shelters, foster-based organizations and public charities to pilot new approaches that welcome your entire community during the month of April.… Learn More Candid...
Ashwagandha: a powerful natural ally against arthritis in dogs and cats
Getting old is no joke. Particularly when it comes to creaking joints and aching bones, those telltale signs of arthritis. Now imagine this pain and discomfort – without a voice to tell anyone about it. It is up to us, as pet parents, to recognize the symptoms of osteoarthritis and any other joint issues commonly associated with canine and feline aging – and to find solutions to their pain. That’s where KSM-66 Ashwagandha for arthritis in dogs and cats can help, since studies show that the root of this herb has powerful...
4 Reasons to Try Mobile Veterinary Services
With the rise of mobile veterinary services, pet parents are finding it easier than ever to provide the best possible medical care for their fur babies. This is especially important in rural areas where access to services can be limited. Mobile veterinary services are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s not just because dog and cat parents want convenience. The growing trend of mobile clinics arose in part to combat the lack of accessibility in certain areas. At the same time, at-home services are great for anxious or reactive...
Does Your Dog Have Heart Disease?
Heart disease in dogs is more common than you might think. But earlier detection, along with an understanding of the role diet, supplements and lifestyle changes play in cardiac health, can help dogs live longer. Heart disease is commonly associated with humans, but it affects our dogs too. In fact, nearly eight million dogs in the US have heart disease — that’s one out of every ten canines. Recent research also indicates that up to 75% of dogs aged seven and older will develop some form of heart disease. These statistics are...
They’ve Given Birth in The White House, and Other Fun Facts About the Golden Retriever
If you’ve ever had a dog or have loved ones who have owned one, there’s a decent chance it was a golden retriever. These affable pups are very popular family dogs, and, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics, have been in the top 5 breeds in the United States every year over the past decade. It’s no surprise that such a beloved breed would have their own day of recognition. February 3 is National Golden Retriever Day, so let’s mark the occasion with some fun facts about these accomplished – and...
How to Teach Your Dog to Talk Using Speech Buttons
Have you ever wished you could understand exactly what your dog wants all the time? Have you ever wondered how complex your pet’s thought processes really are? If only you could take a peek inside their brain! Well, you may be able to do just that (sort of) if you’ve got a lot of patience and a true desire to communicate with your pet and listen to what they’re saying to you. Find out how here! Photo: YouTube/What About Bunny You may have seen videos in recent years of dogs and cats pressing buttons arranged in hexagonal...
Guinness Record in Doubt as World’s Oldest Dog Investigation Unfolds
Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, was celebrated worldwide as the oldest dog ever, having reportedly lived for 31 years and 165 days. His remarkable age, exceeding the previous record set by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, by over two years, stirred both admiration and skepticism, The New York Times reports. But recent doubts about Bobi’s age have prompted the Guinness World Records (GWR) to conduct a formal review, leaving the dog’s legendary status in limbo. Photo: Facebook / Guinness World RecordsBobi was a Rafeiro do...
Florida Police Department Spoils Retiring K9 With Sweet Treat
There is only one proper send off for a retiring K9 officer and it involves a bowl and a lot of whipped cream. Fort Walton Beach Police Department announced the retirement of their K9 Bane and went on to thank him for his years of service in a post on Facebook. The department also rewarded the devoted K9 with a large bowl of whipped cream at the end of his last shift and wished him a long and happy life in retirement. They wrote, “After giving his all for the past 5 years, one of our goodest boys, K9 Bane, is medically retiring. We are...
Kitten Struck By Car Needs Your Help To Get Emergency Surgery To Walk Again
Meet Francine. She has had a rough start to life. The six-month-old tabby kitten was found severely injured on the side of the road in California after being hit by a car. Francine was rushed to a local veterinary clinic who discovered she has a fractured pelvis and tail and needs emergency surgery. They reached out to a cat rescue they worked with in the past called The Rescue House to see if they were able to help this little feline. Photo: The Rescue House The no-kill cat rescue agreed to give Francine a second chance. The sweet kitten...
The Consequences of Ear Cropping
The practice of ear cropping has been banned in some places because it’s a painful procedure with no benefit to the dog. In fact, it can have negative long-term effects. Let’s look at some of the physical and behavioral consequences of ear cropping. Ear cropping is a surgery that involves reshaping a dog’s ears to give them a particular appearance and make them stand up. The practice is painful and purely cosmetic, leading some places to ban it. Certain breeds are more likely to have cropped ears, including Boxers, Doberman...
Two Kittens Rescued From Behind Drywall in Office Building
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! In April 1998, we had moved to Phoenix almost a year earlier, renting an apartment that didn’t allow pets. We already had two furry family members, Nikki and Tigger, who’d made the move with us. Our company was building a new facility, and as offices were being packed, scratching sounds and tiny cries were coming from inside the walls. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ESZTER MILLER A...
Dog Who’s Scared of Everything Finds Home and the Peace She Needs
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! When I first met Emma, she was “Brownie” the rescue dog, and I was an adoption volunteer with Valley Humane Society in Casa Grande, Arizona. I was showing her off at the local PetSmart to try to find a home for her, when I realized she would be perfect for my own home. DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / NIPAPORN SRIRASKA She was quiet, calm and alert. These seemed like the best possible...
‘Shaking, Bobbing’ Cat Was Set to Be Put Down, But Teenage Girl Steps in to Save Him
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, my daughter went to the local shelter with a friend just to look at the kitties. A woman came in with a scrawny, half-grown kitten in a box and wanted to surrender him because there was “something wrong with this cat.” CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / SHEILA SHAFER-ROBERSON The counter person at the shelter lifted him out of the box and placed him on the counter. He was shaking,...
Michigan Hunter’s Camera Catches Cougar in Life or Death Struggle with Deer
In a remarkable display of nature’s raw power, a trail camera in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula Forest has captured a cougar attacking a deer, providing rare insight into the predatory behaviors of mountain lions in the region. This footage, recorded by 24-year-old deer hunter Eli Schaefer, marks the first known video of a cougar killing a deer in Michigan. Photo: Facebook / Eli SchaeferThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages and monitors the state’s cougar population. Eli Schaefer’s Rare Encounter...
An Adopter’s Guide to Owning a French Bulldog
Before you adopt a dog, it’s good to know what you’re getting into in terms of what’s known about the individual animal and their breed characteristics. Adopting a dog is exciting, but it’s a serious commitment. You want to be prepared to be able to properly care for your new furry friend for the entire length of its life. Especially if you’re adopting a puppy, you can expect that the pup you bring home is going to change and develop, making it important to learn more about their breed or combination of breeds....
