Beyond Enforcement: Insights into Community-Centered Field Services
[embedded content] Traditionally, field services or animal control roles have been dedicated to enforcement: impounding animals, tackling cruelty and neglect, getting unsafe animals off the streets, and issuing citations to people violating animal statutes. Field services roles are changing, expanding into community-centered practices to support people and pets through community outreach, supplies and food, helping pet owners access vet care, and getting lost pets home. What can these changes mean for your organization and community? Tune...
An Extremely Rare “Spotless” Giraffe is Born in a Tennessee Zoo, & She Needs a Name
The birth of what is thought to be the world’s only spotless giraffe has been announced at a Tennessee zoo, and she is creating quite a stir with her uniform coat of tan sans any pattern whatsoever. The baby was welcomed into the world at Brights Zoo in Limestone on July 31st, and the “little one” is already 6 feet tall and quite the sensation. The baby and her mother are reticulated giraffes, which are known to be the tallest animals on the planet. There are four distinct species of giraffe and several subspecies. Far and...
Candace Cameron Bure Heartbroken Over Death Of Beloved Rottweiler, Boris
Saying goodbye to a cherished pet is one of the hardest things we must in life. They are part of the family and when they go, they take a part of us with them. Candace Cameron Bure, American actress who played D.J. Tanner on Full House, is heartbroken over the passing of her beloved Rottweiler named Boris. She took to Instagram to share the devastating news that he had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. A compilation of photos and videos of Boris through the years was posted alongside the heartfelt tribute. “Life isn’t the same without...
Lolita, The Loneliest & Oldest Orca In Captivity, Dies Before Being Released Back Into Her Home Waters
For over 50 years, a female orca named Lolita (also called Tokitae) has lived in captivity at Miami Seaquarium where she was forced to perform tricks twice a day until she was retired in 2022. She was captured off the coast of the Pacific Northwest when she was just 4 years old and has spent the past five decades in a small tank waiting to be set free. You will always be in our hearts. Thank you for inspiring us every day 💙 pic.twitter.com/4ACXIxiXXI — Miami Seaquarium (@MiamiSeaquarium) August 19, 2023 She has been called the...
How Massage Can Benefit Your Dog
From calming anxiety to easing pain to improving circulation, massage can help improve your dog’s health and well-being. There’s no substitute for taking your dog to the vet when he’s ailing. However, massage is one example of an alternative practice that can aid with healing and help him feel more comfortable. Canine massage has been used for some time to help dogs cope with a variety of issues, including muscle aches, anxiety, and more. “While massage is not going to be a ‘cure’ for diagnosed conditions,...
Save the date August 31: Apply for Online Instructor-Led Courses
Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Be sure to save the date for Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses! The fall 2023 application window opens on August 31, 2023 and closes on September 13, 2023. “The facilitators were not only subject matter experts but also some of the most genuine, positive, and compassionate people I’ve met,” one former student shared. “Their love for people, planet, and animals...
Dog Rescued On a Leisurely State Park Drive, Lives with Family for 19 Years
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! My family had just moved to South Carolina from Ohio. We made the journey in two cars, with two kids and two cats. After only a few days, I took my five-year-old daughter for a “look see” drive to a nearby state park. DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ALEXA We drove through it to see a beautiful stable and horses, a large, still lake and a gnarled old woman. “Did y’all lose a...
Blind, Deaf Senior Dog Was Neglected, But Now She’s Safe in a 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! I adopt senior dogs. They are so gentle, appreciative, and already trained. Sometimes when I’m ready to adopt, I have a hard time finding a senior. That was the case with Gertie. I finally called animal control in the next county over. DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / KATRINA S They told me they had a senior, 11-years-old, whose owner had died about three months prior. The relative...
Would Tarantula Tunnels in Colorado Help the Fuzzy Arachnids & Other Wildlife?
As we move into brown tarantula mating season, towns in southeastern Colorado are gearing up for sightseers to hopefully provide tourism dollars in areas that don’t historically see many out-of-towners, unlike Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat Springs, and other popular tourist spots within the state. Photo: Pixabay/Danny_de_Bruyne Tarantula Trek 2023 But while thousands of male tarantulas leave their dens to venture out for some life-altering whoopee this time of year, many won’t even get a chance to couple due to traffic. What does...
Puerto Rico Zoo Is Closing and Sending Hundreds of Animals to Colorado
One of the only opportunities that many of us have to see wild animals is seeing them at the zoo. Many zoos around the world do their best to care for those animals and provide a good life for them, even though they are in captivity. The unfortunate reality for many animals, however, is that they find themselves in a zoo where they are not cared for properly. That is true of those animals in the only zoo in Puerto Rico. Photos: YouTube / Fox31 Denver The zoo in Puerto Rico was suspected of negligence for many years and often was written up...
Many Thought This Dog Was a Monster but Now He Is an Angel
It is not out of the ordinary for dogs in Bali to find themselves living on the streets. Unfortunately, there are also many animals that are mistreated, even though they may have a home. That was the case with a dog they named Bobby. The dog was living with a family with many cats and dogs in Bali, and he was not being taken care of properly. Photos: YouTube / Pets in Love When the rescuers came to inspect and investigate, they found Bobby malnourished and exhausted. They don’t know how long he was in that type of situation, but they...
Giraffe at Local Zoo Must Undergo Biopsy
When we have an animal in our care, we do what we can to help them live the best life possible. This means providing them with good food, a warm place to sleep, and the medical attention needed. This isn’t only true for people who have a cat or dog in their home, it’s also true of zookeepers, who care for the larger and more exotic animals in our local areas. Photos: YouTube / News 8 WROC Zookeepers may care for a variety of different types of animals, including elephants, lions, monkeys, and giraffes. It is the latter that we are...
Abandoned Monkey Loses Family and Then Finds Forever Home
This is a story about a monkey named Boo. He was owned by a family in Las Vegas before being surrendered. It was legal in Las Vegas to own monkeys, but this family did not take proper care of him. When he was surrendered, he landed at a nonprofit and they changed his life. Photos: YouTube / Geobeats Animals Boo is described as being a very handsome monkey and when you see him, you can’t help but agree. They even described him as being the ‘Brad Pitt of monkeys.’ Something else that this incredible monkey has going for him is...
A Human Works with a Family of Crows to Save Their Fledgling
We all want to help animals as much as possible but sometimes, we may feel as if we aren’t in a position to do so. If you push beyond your comfort zone and try your hardest, however, you may just accomplish more than you ever thought possible. One woman discovered that when her neighbor sent her a text message. It was a picture of a fledgling crow in her horse’s trough. Photos: YouTube / Geobeats Animals The bird was drenched to the bone and she wanted to do what she could to help. She started to dry the feathers and when she...
Veteran Becomes Best Friends with a Cat
We all have someone special in our life and sometimes, it is somewhat unexpected. One combat veteran understands this all too well because he has Eeyore in his life. Although he is a rather rough and tough individual, he certainly does have a soft spot for the feline in his life. In fact, he is one of the best cat dads we could ever hope for. Photos: YouTube / Best Friends Animal Society As far as Eeyore is concerned, he’s always ready to explore. He is also rough and tough, described as being a climber and a jumper. One of the best...
Lost Dog Sees His Real Mom and Can’t Believe It
One of the most difficult things that can happen to a pet owner is to have their dog wander off. We lose them and suddenly, our entire world is upside down. For some people, the struggle to find a pet stretches on for weeks or months, and some families never find their beloved furry friend. The woman in this story, however, was able to do something amazing and we get to be there to see it. Photos: YouTube / The Dodo She had always been very close to her dog, Zasha, and they were inseparable. Within a few days of her birthday, however, the dog...
Pitbull Spends His Life on a Heavy Chain until Rescuers Come Along
When Russia invaded Ukraine, it caused problems for many people in the country. There were many who left the country to escape the war and the tragedies, but they left behind tragedies of their own. These tragedies came in the form of dogs and cats that were left behind to fend for themselves. Fortunately, there is a couple in Ukraine that helps with those pets and finds them forever homes. Photos: YouTube / Love Furry Friends – Rescue Channel In this particular situation, they got a call about a pitbull living on a chain. The chain was...
Residents from a Reentry Center Are Helping Humane Society Dogs
People and dogs are very similar to each other in one way. They all deserve a chance at a good life. The problem with humans, however, is that they sometimes find themselves in situations where they do the wrong thing. They may even be punished for their crime, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a chance to make up for it. Photos: YouTube / Idaho News on Demand The Idaho Humane Society realized just how much these individuals could mean to the homeless pets they have at their shelter. They teamed up with a local reentry...
Adaptogenic Mushrooms for Dogs and Cats
Adaptogens are compounds found in plants that can help the body to manage stress. We know they’re present in roots, herbs, and other plant substances. But a lot of people don’t realize that there are also adaptogenic mushrooms! Knowledge of adaptogens is relatively new. But people are becoming increasingly interested in them for themselves and their animal companions. Let’s look at what adaptogens are, how they benefit health, and two great adaptogenic mushrooms for dogs and cats! What Are Adaptogens? Researchers discovered...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dog training classes, humane education and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How Napa Humane is offering dog training classes to keep people and pets togetherBroadening community services through accessible preventative programs is what Napa Humane is all about. Although the organization has been around for about 50 years, they no longer have a physical shelter or animals. So, what do they have? A spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, a mobile clinic, humane education programs and most recently, accessible dog training...
