Roosters Show Signs of Recognizing Their Own Reflections, Which Means They May Be Self-Aware
When we look in the mirror, we sometimes wonder if that’s really us. I mean, have we really aged that much?! If you’re a rooster, though, you may have no issues recognizing your reflection. Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Bochun recently conducted a series of tests to figure out how self-aware roosters are. The team says they suspect this characteristic is more common in animals than is currently thought, and they believe that could be shown if it’s tested in more species. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ANDREAS NEUMANN Sonja...
This Bird’s Otherworldly Mating Dance Has Attracted the Attention of More Than Just Female Birds
When you think of the showoffs and the attention seekers of the avian community, you might picture a peacock or flamingo. Odds are your mind won’t automatically go to the crimson horned pheasant…until now, that is. The crimson horned pheasant, also known as Temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) is native to eastern India, southern and central Asia, and central China. The bird has a short bill and short tail feathers with respect to its wing length. Its population is slowly decreasing, but its conservation status is...
Blind Pittie Captures Heart Of Grieving Foster Mom Who Says She’s “The One” And Adopts Her
Who rescued who? This is a common question adopters ask themselves when they find their perfect animal match. Sometimes people head to their local shelter to adopt one animal and end up leaving with another because of an instant connection. Other times, animals come into our lives when we need them most. Susan Endres lost her faithful dog, Snickers, in June and has been slowly healing by fostering senior dogs from Frosted Faces Foundation (FFF) in Ramona, California. She takes the older dogs on “Flings” (about 2-week stays) to...
Sweet Lab Mix Looking For Forever Home After Dad’s Deployment
A two-year-old Labrador/shepherd mix was surrendered to Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption in Sanford, North Carolina, after her dad found out he was being deployed again. The military man adopted sweet Bella two years ago and since then has been deployed several times. Before leaving for his current post, he decided to do what was best for Bella, and that was to find her a loving home and stability. Photo: Facebook/Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption It was a difficult choice, but the right one for his beloved dog. The shelter took to...
The Unlikely Friendship Between Rex the Dog and Hummer the Hummingbird
Rex was a street-smart dog with a troubled past. Hummer was a tiny hummingbird in need of help. What happens when dog meets bird? Their unique friendship, forged by fate and compassion, has captured the hearts of many and serves as a testament to the power of love, kindness, and second chances. Photo: Instagram / rescuepetsofinstagramRex, once a street dog, experienced a remarkable transformation through love and care. Rex’s Journey from the Streets to a Hero’s Heart According to a post from rescuepetsofinstagram, Rex’s life...
Human Health Is At Risk As Zoonotic Epidemics Spread Uncontrollably
In recent years, the world has witnessed the devastating impact of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. These diseases, which jump from animals to humans, have become a growing concern in the world of epidemiology. According to a recent study, the ever-increasing trend of animal-to-human viral infections presents a serious threat to global public health. Photo: PexelsZoonotic diseases are infections that can jump from animals to humans. Alarming Trend in Zoonotic Infections Published in BMJ Global Health, a comprehensive study analyzing nearly 60...
Doc Antle, ‘Tiger King’ Star, Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
Infamous Myrtle Beach Safari owner Doc Antle, who gained notoriety through the Netflix series “Tiger King,” has recently pleaded guilty in a federal case. The charges revolve around Antle’s involvement in conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and conspiracy to launder money, specifically related to his role in buying and selling endangered animals, reports Fox. Antle, a 63-year-old from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, became a household name following his appearance in the 2020 Netflix documentary miniseries, ‘Tiger King:...
Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond
There is a lot of talk about how pet guardianship can benefit humans. But did you know this important symbiotic relationship can also benefit our furry friends? In honor of International Human-Animal Bond Day, let’s explore how having a family is good for dogs and cats and vice versa! Dogs and Cats Get Loving Homes A strong human-animal bond means that dogs and cats are well cared for. In fact, up to 85% of pet guardians consider their animal companions to be a member of the family. That translates to better care and increased spending...
Sneezing Gray Cat on Death Row Yowls Herself Into 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! The cat at the pound didn’t meet any of the requirements. I needed a short-haired outdoor cat because my then husband had allergies. This one had long gray fur and was “inside only”. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ALESSANDRO ALLE She, like all the cats in this room, was very sick and was soon to be put down. Unlike the rest who were curled up miserably in their corners, she...
Unwanted Guest Under Porch Linked To Larger Tegu Invasion Threatening Georgia Ecosystem
In a quiet Athens neighborhood, a group of curious children made an astonishing discovery one day while playing in their backyard. Looking under a porch, they stumbled upon a 3-foot-long lizard, a species not native to Georgia. As Men’s Journal reports, this formidable reptile turned out to be an Argentine black and white tegu, a non-native invader with a voracious appetite. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Bernard DUPONT from FRANCETegu lizards are large reptiles native to South America. Tegu Invasion According to the Georgia Department of...
Camper In Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park Awakes To Find Hundreds of Spiders Covering Tent
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in southwest Alaska is a hikers dream with beautiful landscape in every direction and maintained trails. However, at night it can be a nightmare for those who suffer from arachnophobia. The park posted a frightening video of what one hiker encountered one evening while camping in the vast wilderness. “In the remote depths of Lake Clark’s vast, wild landscape, a weary backpacker settles in for a night at camp after a long day of exploring. Little do they know, creatures of the night lurk in the...
Killer Whales’ 45-Minute Assault Sinks Polish Yacht in Nightmare Encounter
In a bizarre and increasingly frequent occurrence, killer whales, or orcas, have been assaulting boats, particularly yachts, off the coasts of Spain and Morocco. These encounters have recently taken a more alarming turn, with one Polish yacht falling victim to a 45-minute assault by a pod of orcas, CBS News reports, leading to its tragic sinking. The incident raises questions about the motives behind these attacks and their impact on sailors. Photo: PexelsResearch areas with known orca presence before venturing out to sea. The Grazie Mamma...
Fiona, Britain’s Loneliest Sheep, Rescued After Two Years in Isolation
Fiona, the sheep famously known as ‘Britain’s Loneliest Sheep,’ has finally found a home after spending over two years in solitude at the foot of a Scottish cliff. Her story has captured the attention of people worldwide, but her journey from isolation to a new life has not been without its controversies. Photo: PexelsFiona the sheep was dubbed “Britain’s Loneliest Cow.” Fiona’s Isolation Fiona’s ordeal began when a kayaker first spotted her in 2021, stranded at the bottom of a steep cliff in...
Injured Bald Eagle Rescued After Being Struck By Train In Virginia
A bald eagle was struck by a train on Thursday and found on the tracks by an officer with Prince William County Police Department. He appeared injured and unable to move, so the officer contacted local wildlife rescue, AERO Animal Education and Rescue Organization. Founder of the rescue, Olivia LoBalbo, immediately responded as time was not on her side. “Vehicular strikes (even train strikes) are a pretty common occurrence but in this case, we were on a time crunch because there was another train on its way and we had to get him off the...
Pennsylvania Shelter Dog Finally Finds Her Person After 7 Years In Shelter
For the past seven years, a sweet pit bull mix named Ella waited by her kennel door to greet staff members at the no-kill animal shelter, Animal Resource Center. While she was showered with love by staff, they anxiously waited for a call, email, or someone to show up to adopt Ella, their longest resident. As the years passed, they never gave up hope that her special someone would come along. One day the shelter manager opened her email and saw the subject line she had been waiting for, “Interested in adopting Ella”. The woman...
Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Announces 2024 Policy Platform & Agenda
(AUSTIN, TX) November 7, 2023–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project revolutionizing the animal welfare industry by uniting the human and animal welfare approach, announced today its 2024 policy platform and agenda including the prioritization of the following policy initiatives: increasing equitable access to pet-inclusive housing and affordable veterinary care, expanding federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to include pet food, as well as addressing the way animal shelter conditions...
Does your animal organization need holiday promotions ideas? We’ve got you!
Last year, our Holiday Promotions Resource Drive on Maddie’s® Pet Forum was so successful, we decided to run it again this year! There were such great ideas shared like the 12 Strays of Christmas, No Kill Colorado’s “Home for the Holidays” campaign, Lending Paws a Hand’s, “Small Business Saturday” promotion, TinynTall Rescue’s “Virtual Bingo” fundraiser, a “Foster First” adoption promotion and so many others. Read...
Stray Cat Rescued After Being Shot with a BB Gun
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! I was feeding and TNR-ing strays when a tiny little cat appeared one day. I fed her and talked to her, and then one day, she looked like she had a cut going right through her face. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / THOMAS It took me a couple of days, but I caught her and ran her to the vet. Her eyeball was shrunken and in the back of her socket. They removed it, and sewed the eye socket closed. They...
Wildlife Rescue Puts Camera Inside Pumpkin, Gets Silly Footage of Raccoons Enjoying It
Once the Halloween festivities end, there are good leftovers and bad leftovers. On the one hand, you’ve still got lots of candy to enjoy. On the other hand, you’ve got pumpkins to discard. There are plenty of things you can do with them, though, including composting and cooking. There is another option, too: donating your leftover pumpkins to animal rescues. One rescue in particular recently showed how fun that can be… with a raccoon cam. Saco River Wildlife Center in Limington, Maine, recently shared an adorable video of...
Yellowstone Wolf Pup Captured On Video Voicing Her “Adult-Like” Howl
Yellowstone National Park is home to roughly 108 gray wolves divided into ten packs. The vital predators were almost hunted into extinction before being reintroduced to the park over 25 years ago. The packs continue to fluctuate in size and the arrival of new pups is something that both biologists and visitors look forward to. Taylor Rabe, scientists and Yellowstone wolf technician, spends her days observing and monitoring wolves, educating people about the fascinating species, and sharing the best spots to view wolves in the park. She keeps...