A Warning to Pet Parents: Aloe Is Toxic to Cats!
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Dog Rescued From Maui Wildfire With Severe Burns On Her Paws And Legs Needs Your Support To Heal
The historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui has been engulfed in flames by wildfires killing dozens of people and destroying hundreds of buildings and homes. Firefighters have been on the scene since the fires first ignited on Tuesday. It has been a struggle to contain the intense flames with the powerful winds from Hurricane Dora fueling them. People and pets were urged to evacuate the area, but some people were unable to return home to get their pets as the fires quickly spread. Photo: Maui Humane Society Late one night a firefighter...
Rare Walrus Calf Rescued In Alaska Is Put On 24/7 ‘Cuddle Care’
A walrus calf in Alaska has been given a second chance at life, and he’s been ordered 24/7 cuddles! According to an August 3 press release from the Alaska SeaLife Center, the one month old Pacific walrus calf was admitted on August 1 after being spotted by workers on Alaska’s North Slope, “about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea — a highly unusual location for Pacific walrus.” Photo: Facebook/Honolulu Star-Advertiser Since walrus calves depend on maternal care for their first two years of life, it was...
Stray Cat Has Kittens But Neighbor Isn’t Sure Where, Finds Them Behind Their Bookshelves
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 Turkish Angora, Bean, died of cancer in April 2022 and while I wanted another cat, I wasn’t ready. There are a few roaming neighborhood cats, to whom many people provide food and water. PHOTO: KRISTINE REARDON One, a boy, we call Porch Cat. He’s an orange striped tabby. The other cat, Pixie, followed Porch Cat here. We occasionally let both come inside, like when it rains....
How Conditions Combined to Drive the Devastating Wildfires in Maui
As the Hawaiian island of Maui continues to assess the damage done by devastating wildfires this week, the totality of the destruction is not yet known. At least 53 people were dead as of Thursday afternoon, while many more were missing. Whole neighborhoods have been wiped out, with substantial damage to Lahaina, an historically significant city that draws scores of visitors each year. What were the driving forces behind this disaster? There were several. Dora, a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained wind speeds of 145 miles per hour as...
Dog Dies on Hike in Phoenix, Owner Charged with Neglect
A 29-year-old man has been charged with neglect after one of his dogs died while on a hike along the Piestewa Peak Trailhead in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 9. The day of the fatality, temperatures reached between 109 and 110. According to officials, Phoenix Fire Technical Rescue teams were sent in after hiker Daniel Milunovic reported that he and his two dogs were overheating. When the crews arrived, one of the dogs had already succumbed to the effects of the scorching heat. The team was reported to have safely walked Milunovic and the other...
This Han Solo’s No Smuggler, Scoundrel, or Hero. He’s Just a Frisky Teenage Cat!
He’s no smuggler, scoundrel, or hero. This Han Solo wasn’t the captain of the Millennium Falcon or one of the great leaders of the Rebel Alliance, either. He doesn’t even know who Chewbacca is, much less identify him as his copilot. No, this Han Solo is a different breed altogether. Photo: SACatRescue Adoptable Cat As unique as his beautiful looks – pure white with one blue and one yellow eye – our Han Solo has the personality to match. While he appears sweet and innocent in his photos, he’s truly a wild...
Adoptable Charlie Wants a Golden Ticket to a Forever Home
Retrievers are still one of the most popular breeds on the planet. That is due in large part to their gentle and laidback demeanors. They are terrific companion animals and great with kids. If you’ve ever dreamed of having one of your own to cuddle up next to, now’s your chance. It just so happens that Dessert Labrador Retriever Rescue in central Arizona has a beautiful boy named Charlie who is searching high and low for a forever home. If you’re interested, read his story below, which he was kind enough to prepare and share...
Return Rates of Shelter Dogs Plunge When Training is Provided with Adoptions
With overcrowding reaching critical levels at shelters and rescues across the country, those in charge of running them have had to get creative in their rehoming efforts. So, how does one entice the public into bringing home a new furbaby? Some have tried offering extended veterinary care for senior animals or those with health issues. Others are offering assistance with food and pet supplies. These are marvelous ideas, but they don’t directly address all of the reasons people are either hesitant to adopt or high return rates. Photo:...
What to Do When You Encounter Wildlife: A Guide to Responsible Intervention
Encountering wildlife in unexpected and perilous situations can be a heart-wrenching experience. While some animals are well-equipped to navigate various environments, others might find themselves in dangerous predicaments, often due to human-made structures and landscapes. One recent incident that gained attention involved the heroic rescue of a drowning owl from a backyard pool in Long Island’s Commack. As this encounter revealed, it is important to understand how to respond when wildlife is in danger and how to offer assistance...
From Pup to Hero: K9 Gus’ Inspiring Tale of Compassion and Resilience
In the bustling city of Indianapolis, where sirens and busy streets often define the landscape, a heartwarming addition to the police force is quietly making waves. Meet K9 Gus, a 10-month-old Australian mini labradoodle, who has embarked on a remarkable journey as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s (IMPD) newest therapy dog. As Fox 59 reports, Gus isn’t just a cute face with a wagging tail; he’s a beacon of hope, comfort, and healing for both officers and the community he serves. A Pawsitive Addition to the...
Training and Behavior Tips for Foster Dogs
If you’re becoming a foster “parent” for a shelter or rescue dog, know that training is part of the package. Following these training and behavior tips for foster dogs results in a better-adjusted canine that’s more adoptable and has a higher chance of finding a forever home. Fostering a shelter or rescue dog is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s also a responsibility, because you’re acting as the transition point between the shelter environment and the dog’s forever home. Training is...
Does your animal organization need more foster caregivers? These 6 questions can help
Having trouble finding foster caregivers? These six questions can help guide you toward a successful strategy. 1. Is it easy to become a foster caregiver at your rescue organization?Research shows that the organizations with the biggest foster programs have quick and easy onboarding processes. Organizations that require things like home, landlord and veterinarian checks are correlated with significantly smaller programs. Becky Costner, Executive Director of Let Love Live, a foster-based rescue organization in Minnesota, tells us...
Bernese Mountain Dog Is Too Excited To Greet His Favorite Human
A Bernese Mountain Dog named Bernie is winning hearts of people around the world thanks to his adorable TikTok presence. Recently, his owner shared a video of the dog greeting one of his favorite humans, and it’s too cute! Photo: TikTok/@bigmacbernie In the clip, you can see 4-year-old Bernie happily walking on a leash. But when he notices someone up ahead, he picks up his pace. Eventually, the person walking Bernie lets his leash go so the dog can sprint to the awaiting human and give him a giant jump hug! Photo: TikTok/@bigmacbernie...
Tiny Kitten Is Scooped up from the Street and Saved
This little kitten lost her family but some kind rescuers gave her what she needed to survive and then gave her a forever home. We really feel for any cats that find themselves living on the streets. It can happen in any country, but there are some areas where it seems to be more prevalent. Photos: YouTube / PawMeow This includes Bulgaria, where a tiny kitten and her brother were living on their own and struggling to survive. It is thought that the mother cat may have been poisoned. The Little Kitten Needed Help That little kitten, whom they...
Family Dog ‘Scared of Everything’ Goes after Porch Pirate
When you have a dog in your family, it doesn’t take long to realize just how much they mean to you. They are your friend, your confidant, and sometimes your protector. Photos: YouTube / Fox 13 News Utah On occasion, however, we may have a dog that seems to be afraid of everything. We love them, all the same, but we don’t expect them to charge in where angels fear to tread on our behalf. Zero Is A Scaredy-Cat Then we have this black lab named Zero. He’s described by his human mother, Whitney, as a ‘loving good boy...
2-Year-Old Cat Wins ‘National Cat of the Year’ for Protecting His Deaf Owner
We often hear about guide dogs that help people who struggle with various issues. Zebby is also a guide for his deaf owner, but he has the distinction of being a guide cat. Thousands of cats were in the running for the National Cat of the Year award in the UK. That award, given by Cats Protection, honors a feline that does something special in life. Photos: YouTube / Cats Protection Before being awarded the National Cat of the Year, Zebby had to win the Family Fur-ever category. Zebby was a shoo-in. Zebby’s Home Life This very special...
Woman Transforms Garage Into ‘Bunny Cafe’ To Help Rescue Rabbits Get Adopted
A woman in Medford Lakes, New Jersey, has converted her garage into what she calls a “bunny café” that’s full of rescue rabbits just looking for forever homes. According to ABC 6, realtor Valerie Bertsch purchased a rabbit from a breeder for her birthday. After welcoming the rabbit home, Bertsch was surprised with how the bunny became unmanageable and chaotic. Photo: Pexels/Helena Lopes While the bunny was sweet at first, her behavior changed drastically after a bit of time, and Bertsch was unprepared. Not sure what...
An Angry Moose Chased a Bear Into a Glass Window as it Frantically Tried to Escape Pursuit
Nature can be brutal, which is exactly what one young bear found out when an angry moose chased the terrified animal out of a lake onto dry land, only to chase it around until the frenzied bear barreled straight into a cabin window while trying to escape. There’s nothing funny about the crazed chase or the poor bear crashing into the opening. What is amazing, though, is the fury of the largest and heaviest members of the deer family and how terrified the bear was, which we think of as apex predators. Evidently, they are no match for an...
People & Pets In Maui Need Help As Raging Wildfires Drive Them From Their Homes, Even Forcing Some To Jump In The Ocean
Evacuations are being issued in Western and Upcountry Maui as wildfires continue to spread due to high winds from Hurricane Dora. Power lines have come down cutting off communication (including 911 service in West Maui) with numerous residents. Fallen trees and thick smoke have caused hazardous conditions and many road closures. Open roads are moving slow with heavy traffic. Firefighters are tirelessly battling the raging fires. “The fire can be a mile or more from your house, but in a minute or two, it can be at your house,” said...
