Creating Connections: How to Build Partnerships Between Animal and Human Organizations
[embedded content] Collaboration between animal welfare and human service organizations is key to successfully supporting people and pets in our communities. By working together and uniting our industries, organizations can bridge the gap and prevent the separation of families. View this panel discussion on just this topic, as well as insights into the HASS Community Connections project. Nichole Hazard, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for HASS, shares about the partnerships HASS is cultivating between our pilot...
What Happens When A Pet Goes Missing, And What To Do About It
In the world of animal lovers, the bond between a pet and their owner is unbreakable. When a beloved furry friend goes missing, the lengths to which people will go to reunite with them can be truly remarkable. Heartwarming stories from around the globe showcase the determination and love that drive individuals to extraordinary efforts to find their lost pets. Photo: PexelsLosing a pet is a heart-wrenching experience for pet owners. A Cross-Country Journey to Reunite In Santa Fe, New Mexico, Roughiatou, a truck driver from Maryland,...
Most Popular Halloween Pet Costumes For 2023
Halloween is one of the oldest holidays that is still celebrated around the world with tasty treats, pumpkins, and spooktacular costumes. Every year, the goal for Americans is the same – to come up with a unique and memorable costume. People find inspiration from popular movies, their favorite characters, books, and much more. Adults and children are not the only ones dressing up in celebration of Halloween… According to Rover, “A whopping 79% of pet parents plan to dress their dogs in Halloween costumes”. Photo:...
Shearwater’s Astonishing Typhoon Journey Spans 11 Hours and 1,000 Miles
Seabirds, known for their remarkable abilities to navigate the open sea, often face the challenges of unpredictable weather conditions. In 2019, an astonishing event unfolded when a streaked shearwater seabird embarked on an 11-hour, 1,000-mile journey through the heart of Typhoon Faxai, a powerful typhoon over southeastern Japan. Kozue Shiomi, a seabird biologist from Tohoku University, equipped 14 adult streaked shearwaters with GPS bio-loggers as part of a study on the species’ homing behavior, reports Science Daily. One of these...
Americans Embrace the Warmth of Cow Cuddling for Well-Being
Are you familiar with the latest trend in animal-assisted therapy? Cow cuddling is taking the world by storm, offering an extraordinary opportunity to connect with these gentle giants and find solace in their embrace. While you might associate cuddles with cats and dogs, these 1,000-pound bovines are proving to be unlikely but heartwarming companions in the world of animal therapy Photo: PexelsCow cuddling is a therapeutic practice gaining popularity for its soothing benefits. Cow Cuddling: A Rising Trend Cows have emerged as unique healers...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register for Camp Maddie, A Deeper Dive series and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for Camp Maddie: Foster EditionRegistration for Camp Maddie is now open and free! This is where expanding your dog foster program begins. Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). At Camp Maddie, we will cover various topics in to-the-point presentations, panel… Learn More Learn strategies for challenging ableism in companion animal...
The Gentle Touch: Teaching Kids How to Pet a Dog
Children and dogs can be playmates, partners in crime, and best friends, but children must learn appropriate, gentle, and safe behavior with dogs. Even the gentlest dog may lash out if a child causes the dog pain, fear, or anxiety. Behavioral issues are one of the main reasons dogs end up in shelters. That can include biting or growling because a child wasn’t taught about animal consent. To ensure a safe relationship between the two, here are some tips on teaching kids how to pet a dog gently and safely. Benefits of Growing up with a...
Adopting the Right Dog or Cat for You
Falling in love with a certain shelter dog or cat, and want to adopt him? That’s great — but first of all, find out if he’s the right fit for you and your lifestyle. When visiting an animal shelter or rescue facility, it can be very easy to fall in love with a particular dog or cat. Before filling out the adoption form, though, it’s important to determine if the animal you have your eye on is right for you. Adopting a dog or cat that isn’t a good match for your household, budget, or lifestyle can lead to problems...
Shy Cat Who’d Settled Into His New Home is Back at Shelter After His Family Had to Move
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! There are a lot of nicknames for those who are nervous and timid. Challenge yourself to think of as many as possible. Then think of the challenges for those that are not only reserved as a general spirit, but for whom life has reinforced their reasons for being shy, apprehensive,...
They’ll Help Bring You Suitors, And Other Fun Facts About Black Cats
As spooky season nears its peak with Halloween, you’ve likely seen a black cat decoration or two over the past few weeks. The association of fright with black cats isn’t really all that fair, though, unless you’re talking about the fright you experience when your black cat gets an especially terrifying case of the zoomies. There’s a lot more to them than being October’s unofficial mascot, though. Learn some fun facts below! Black Cats Are Quite Common There’s a good chance you’ve seen a few black cats...
Before Their Viral TikTok Video, Senior Dog Duo Stunned Shelter Staff With Jeweled Foreheads
When Peanut Butter and Jelly first arrived at Sonoma County Animal Services as strays, they immediately caught the attention of everyone who laid eyes on them. The shelter staff was stunned and bewildered. These senior dogs had jewels glued to their foreheads. “Our staff was shocked and confused. Many of them have been working in animal care for many years and had never seen anything quite like it,” Emma Diemert, shelter supervisor, told The Dodo. Photo: TikTok / allthefosterpupsPeanut Butter and Jelly arrived at a shelter with...
Over 50 Shelter Dogs & Cats Get Second Chance To Find Forever Homes On Flight To Freedom
Another successful Flight to Freedom has saved the lives of over 50 shelter pets. We couldn’t have done it without your support, so thank you! 36 dogs and 20 cats left noisy and overcrowded shelters in Louisiana and Alabama and caught a Flight to Freedom. They boarded the flight in the early morning hours of October 25. When they arrived at their final destination, they were greeted by friendly faces who were thrilled to meet them. Photo: Greater Good Charities Cats meowed and the dogs barked with excitement as they were transported...
Dog Left Heartbroken After Family Surrenders Her To Shelter Because Of New Baby
Afraid, alone, and heartbroken… this describes how a sweet dog named Snowflake feels after her family surrendered her to Humane Society of Broward County after they had a baby. The 3-year-old pit bull mix doesn’t understand why she is in this strange place and misses her family, even if they don’t miss her. She would have loved the baby and been a great big sister. Instead, she was cast aside and is now wondering what she did wrong. Screenshot: TikTok/humanebroward She spends her days watching out the door of her kennel for...
Heroic Border Collie Saves Teen’s Life During Sudden Stroke
In a heartwarming tale of heroism and quick thinking, a one-year-old Border Collie named Axel became a lifesaver for a 17-year-old teenager, Gabriel Silva, who suffered a sudden stroke. Without Axel’s timely intervention, the outcome could have been far worse. Photo: Facebook / Amanda C Tanner17-year-old teenager Gabriel Silva suffered an unexpected and sudden stroke. A Sudden Stroke in the Night Gabriel Silva, a healthy and athletic 17-year-old from Texas, experienced a life-altering event on the night of August 26. He initially...
Stray Cat ‘Had Other Plans’, Gets Neighbor to Foster Her, and Finds New Home
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! There were several stray cats that lived around my apartment complex. I left out food for them on a fairly regular basis, but the vast majority were feral and wanted nothing to do with humans. One little kitty, however, had other plans. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / RAY CONSER I had seen this pretty fluffy little ‘calitorbie’ cat more than once, and we jokingly called her a calitorbie...
Data Insight: What We Learned from a Simple Question About Visible IDs and RTH Rates
Animal shelters are overflowing with pets that have become separated from their people. According to our HASS pilot data, as well as Shelter Animals Count (SAC), “stray” animals make up around 50% of 2023 shelter intake across the United States. It’s not surprising that organizations are looking for answers to the question, “how can we increase return to home (RTH) rates?” Here’s an example from one of the HASS pilot organizations: With stray pets accounting for nearly 80% of total intake and...
Esther the Wonder Pig Passes Away At Age 11
Animals have a way of changing the way we look at the world. They teach us to live in the moment and to be kind to all living beings. Their life lessons continue to impact us even when they have crossed The Rainbow Bridge. Esther, who was supposed to be a “mini pig”, grew into a 695-pound pig who changed the life of her owner’s Steve and Derek in ways they never expected. She earned the name “Esther the Wonder Pig” and became a social media star. With a personality as large as she was, it didn’t take long...
Runaway Pet Tortoise Reunited with Owners After 3 Long Years
An African sulcata tortoise, an adept escape artist, found its way back to its family after being missing for more than three years. The tortoise, discovered in Putnam County, Florida, has a remarkable story of survival, persistence, and a community’s determination to reunite it with its owners. Photo: Facebook / Putnam County Sheriff’s OfficeThe discovered tortoise is an African sulcata species. As the New York Post reports, the journey to reunite this remarkable tortoise began when Putnam County deputies noticed an...
Sick Senior Shelter Dog Finally Experiences Unconditional Love Before Crossing The Rainbow Bridge
There are so many senior dogs in need of rescuing and Frosted Faces Foundation, a senior dog rescue in California, does their best to help as many as possible. Kennel Manager, Alicia Anthony, understands that the founders, Kelly and Andy, are contacted daily with requests for help, but she couldn’t resist making a plea for a senior Chihuahua in desperate need of medical care. Photo: Facebook/Frosted Faces Foundation She saw a post about the 14-year-old Chihuahua on Facebook and the little fella’s face touched her heart. “I...
Ohio Lawmakers Unite to Incentivize Pet-Friendly Rentals
In Ohio, where housing affordability is a growing concern, two lawmakers have come together to propose a groundbreaking bill aimed at addressing a significant cost for many renters – their beloved pets. House Bill 277, known as the Pet Friendly Rental Act, introduces a tax credit system that rewards landlords for allowing companion animals, specifically cats and dogs, in their rental units without imposing additional security deposits or fees. This bipartisan effort is spearheaded by Ohio Representative Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) and...
