Puppy Mill Problems Plague Iowa As Breeders Responsible For Deaths And Injuries
Iowa, known for its vast agricultural landscapes and friendly residents, is also home to a less savory reputation – a significant puppy mill problem. In recent years, a series of articles and reports have shed light on the concerning situation surrounding commercial dog breeding operations in the state. Photo: PexelsDogs in puppy mills often live in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Iowa’s Puppy Mill Problem Prolific Puppies, Questionable Practices Iowa’s reputation as a hotspot for puppy mills is well-earned. As KQWC...
Over 100 Good Packs Handed Out To Homeless And At-Risk Veterans And Their Pets At Stand Down Event In Miami
Thanks to your generous donations, homeless veterans and their beloved pets have essentials to help them get back on their feet. Your support helps change lives. There are over 40,000 homeless veterans in the United States. VA Claims Insider states, “Veterans comprise 10.6% of all homeless in the U.S. and are 2x as likely to become homeless versus those who didn’t serve in the military.” The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs hosts Stand Down Events across the country to help homeless and at-risk veterans get the medical...
Novel Pet Food Ingredients You Need to Know About!
Once upon a time, people fed their dogs dry, dusty kibble, and the dogs lived unhappily ever after. The end… Not so fast! The story is not over yet. Thanks to better quality food from companies like ZIWI®, who are 100% committed to peak nutrition for pets. Peak nutrition which includes finding the very best ingredients for your pet’s health and wellness. Read on to discover their use of novel pet food ingredients – along with all the benefits provided by these lesser-known nutritional powerhouses. Chicken, beef, salmon,...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: #BeAHelper, support your community and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How your animal organization can better connect with the community it supportsConnecting with your community is more important than ever. Which is why we are republishing this blog from 2022 with the now former Executive Director of Plainfield Area Humane Society, Elijah Brice-Middleton. Looking for ways to better connect with your community? Whether you’re looking to diversify your staff/volunteers, share information about the programs and...
Supplements to Support Your Dog or Cat’s Heart
Heart disease in dogs and cats has a variety of causes, from dietary deficiencies to genetic predisposition. Read up on the natural supplements that can help support your best friend’s heart. While it’s true that dogs and cats don’t have heart attacks, they definitely do get heart disease. Common causes of heart problems in our canine and feline companions include dietary deficiencies, parasites (especially heartworm), aging (especially aging heart valves), and inherited breed-related problems. A number of natural...
Limited-Ingredient Dog Treats Reign Supreme!
A delicious, nutritious alternative to commercial dog treats that promote whole-body health and happiness! Now that’s a high-value reward! Diet is one of the best ways to ensure your fur baby leads a healthy, happy life. That makes it essential to pay attention to what you feed them. This includes their treats, which can often be overlooked. Let’s delve deep into the world of dog treats, including why it’s critical to know what’s in them and the benefits of opting for natural, limited-ingredient snacks for your pup....
You Can Help Injured Gopher Tortoises Get the Care They Need to Be Released Back into the Wild
The gopher tortoise is the only tortoise found east of the Mississippi River, and in Florida, the species is listed as threatened. It faces a variety of threats, but the biggest is habitat loss, due primarily to urbanization and development. Their fragmented habitat also leads to a higher risk of being killed by cars. An organization in Florida works to rehab these animals when they’ve been injured in circumstances like that, and thanks to you, we’re lending them a hand. The South Florida Wildlife Center has been providing...
600 Sick and Emaciated Dogs In Greece Need Your Support To Survive
There are over 3 million stray dogs and cats in Greece, and the number continues to rise. Shelters and rescues are tirelessly working to spay and neuter and care for as many homeless pets as possible, but they can’t do it alone. Angel’s Garden, a dog shelter in Xánthi, Greece, has over 120 sick and abandoned dogs in their care with hundreds more needing help in the area. Photo: Facebook/Angels Garden The shelter shared in a recent Facebook post, “The main principle of the shelter is for dogs in need to come and as...
Rescue Near the Frontlines in Ukraine Cares For More Than 100 Dogs, And You Can Help
Stove has been at a rescue for a while, since 2014. At that time, the dog – named because she likes to hang out under the stove – was living in a much different environment. Nine years later, her country is at war with Russia, and she and her fellow rescue animals have a lot more to worry about. Stove is one of more than 100 dogs at Awaken Your Heart rescue, which has five different locations around Zaporizhzhia, a city on the frontlines in Ukraine. Run by partners Marina and Nina, it’s facing much of the same issues as...
Friendly or Fierce? Understanding the Secret Language of Cat Expressions
Cats are known for their mysterious and enigmatic nature, often leaving their owners pondering what’s going on behind those whiskers and bright eyes. However, recent studies have shed light on the remarkable diversity of facial expressions displayed by our feline friends. Photo: PexelsCats display nearly 300 different facial expressions. A Surprising Discovery Cats may seem hard to read, but research shows that they boast nearly 300 different facial expressions, which they use to convey a range of emotions and intentions. To uncover...
Ranger The Bodacious Beach Dog Is Making A Difference By Spreading Comfort
Ranger, a lovable and spirited golden retriever, is no ordinary dog. Adopted at the age of 2, Ranger has become a remarkable service dog, providing invaluable support to his owner while also serving as an assistant Behavioral Health Navigator for Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA) in San Luis Obispo, California. “He’s helped me a lot,” owner John Crippen told The Animal Rescue Site. “He allows me to able to go into public, because my PTSD is still pretty bad. I couldn’t do it without Ranger. And I think...
American Kestrel Finds New Wings as an Avian Artist
In the picturesque village of Quechee, Vermont, an extraordinary story has unfolded involving a remarkable American kestrel named Ferrisburgh. Once a free-spirited falcon soaring through the skies, Ferrisburgh’s life took a fateful turn. After losing his ability to fly, he has embarked on a captivating journey as a painter, captivating audiences with his newfound artistic talent. Thanks to the dedication of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), Ferrisburgh has made the unique transformation from a flight ambassador to an...
Rescue Cat Tugs at ‘Dog Person’s’ Leg, Changes Their Mind on Cats
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’m a dog person; cats, not so much. I walked into the pet store for dog food one day and passed by several cages on the floor. While standing near one of them, a paw came through the bars and coaxingly started tapping and pulling at my leg. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / APRIL REID I asked the foster to let me hold him, and when he was handed to me, he wrapped his arms around my neck and...
Couple Wanted Two Cats, But Adopt Three Littermates Recovering From Upper Respiratory Infections
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! We had always thought we were “dog people.” After our second dog passed away in 2010, we went pet-less for a while. One night in December 2010, a cat showed up in our driveway and promptly “adopted” us! Milo was with us for three short years before he died unexpectedly early in 2014. We were devastated. We knew, though, that Milo had shown us that cats are cool,...
How to Use Essential Oils Safely Around Your Dog or Cat
Essential oils are all the rage right now, and many people hail them as natural aromatherapy remedies for a variety of ailments. But natural does not always equal safe, especially for animals. There’s a dark side to essential oils too, as they can pose potential health and safety concerns under certain circumstances. Photo: Adobe Stock/elenavolf Which Essential Oils Are Safe? So which oils are safe to use on or around your pet? The short answer is that we don’t know. Essential oils have not been studied in depth, so, while there...
Birding Community Embraces Inclusivity by Renaming Dozens of Avian Species
In a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and diversity within the birding community, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) has announced an initiative to rename American birds and dozens more. This significant change seeks to remove human monikers from bird species’ English names, addressing concerns about offensive and exclusionary nomenclature. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / RhododendritesAnna’s Hummingbird is among the American birds set for a name change. The Power of Names Bird names carry immense significance, not only for...
Invasive Beetle Threatens California’s Tree Nut Crops
The lush orchards of California are known for producing some of the world’s finest tree nuts, including almonds, pistachios, and walnuts. However, a new invasive beetle has emerged as a significant threat to these valuable crops. This beetle, Carpophilus truncatus, which is native to Australia, has been causing havoc by overwintering in mummy nuts. The presence of C. truncatus in California’s tree nut orchards will no doubt lead to consequences for the state’s tree nut industry. Photo: PexelsCarpophilus truncatus, an...
Mom Says Family Doesn’t Need Another Cat, Caves After Stray Meows in Yard All Night
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! It was a chilly October night when a sad brown tabby sauntered into our yard, mewling helplessly and begging for food and love. With a well spoiled and very territorial calico already in the house, my mother was not eager to accept another furry tenant, so the poor cat stayed outside while the rest of us checked on it every few minutes. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / RIHAIJ My mother stood by her...
New Research Shows Pigeons Solve Problems the Same Way Artificial Intelligence Does
Pigeons have been successfully trained by humans to do a variety of things, from carrying messages in war time to racing, A new study shines some light onto how these teachable animals think. Research recently published in iScience took a look at how pigeons solve visual categorization tasks, something at which they’re particularly gifted. The goal was to see if they’re able to master these tasks through complex processes. Throughout their experiments, the team learned that the birds solve such tasks in an interesting manner,...
Australian Firefighters Take Off Their Shirts Again And Pose With Adorable Animals To Raise Funds For Charities
As we near the end of 2023, we look ahead to the next year – or at least to the reveal of the most popular calendar filled with Australian firefighters and adorable animals. For the past 30 years, actual Australian firefighters have been taking off their shirts for good causes. They pose alone and alongside furry animals to create calendars to help several charities. Over $3.45 million has been donated to charities from calendar sales and they don’t plan to stop anytime soon. It all started in 1993 to raise funds for research into...
