Hadari, the Young Pygmy Hippo, Lands at the Pittsburgh Zoo
The birth of any animal is a beautiful event, but when it is an endangered species with only a few thousand living in the wild, it is especially noteworthy. This story started at the Montgomery Zoo in Alabama. Hadari, a 1-year-old male pygmy hippopotamus, was living in Montgomery, but they moved him across the country to his new home at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Photos: Pixabay / DavidCardinez Hadari is a rather unusual animal. After all, he is part of a species that only has about 3,000 living in the wild. In addition, it is less...
Top 10 Summer Dog Walking Tips
Summer is upon us, bringing with it long hot days and long cool drinks. You know what else it brings? Hot dogs… and we’re not talking the summer staple, BBQing kind! All puns aside, when your dog overheats, it’s more than just a comfort issue. Keep your dog safe under scorching summer skies with these top 10 summer dog walking tips. 1. Stay hydrated Carry cool fresh water wherever you go, whenever you go. Your pup generally needs to slurp an ounce of water per pound of bodyweight every single day. This number increases in...
Sick and Dead Sea Lions and Dolphins Washing Ashore In Southern California
A concerning trend has emerged along the Southern California coastline, as marine biologists and conservation organizations report a surge in the number of sick sea lions and dolphins washing up on beaches. Stretching from Santa Barbara through Santa Monica and down into Orange County, the prevalence of these distressed marine mammals has reached levels not seen in many years. Experts warn that this pattern may indicate an extreme event occurring in the region, ABC 7 reports, demanding urgent attention and conservation efforts. Photo:...
PetsAndPeoplePhotos.org helps animal welfare organizations deepen community connections
HeARTs Speak and Maddie’s Fund® are excited to announce the launch of PetsandPeoplePhotos.org, a free stock image library created for animal well-being (welfare) organizations aimed at increasing inclusivity and providing a welcoming environment for all community members. The project’s launch earlier this month was made possible by a two-year $84,700 grant to HeARTs Speak from Maddie’s Fund, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion...
Kitten Who Wandered in One Cold Winter Day Ends Up the ‘Princess’ in a House of Dogs
The following story was submitted in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here! Ilsa was a tiny kitten when she walked into my husband’s school, and right into our hearts. It was winter, and she was just looking for a warm place to sleep. PHOTO: PATRICIA JOHNSON My husband called me and said, “We have a new cat.” I reminded him we had five dogs, and I wasn’t sure a cat...
One-Eyed ‘Super Sweet, Spunky’ Cat Has Been Waiting Nearly a Year for His Forever Home
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! Often we are beside ourselves on why a kitten or a cat has not been adopted yet, and our Phenomenal Fella is certainly one of those beings. What makes it even harder for us to understand is having watched what this sweet boy patiently went through with a multitude of treatments....
Gentle Cat Snuggles Up With Tiny Chicks In Adorable Viral Video
Cats and birds are notoriously enemies. After all, cats are predators and birds are prey. However, there are exceptions to most rules, and cats and birds can prove to be fast friends. Photo: Reddit/u/melindapeter1982 That was seen in the most adorable way in a viral video shared on Reddit. Reddit user u/melindapeter1982 posted a video of the cat with the chicks in the subreddit r/Awww. Photo: Reddit/u/melindapeter1982 In the sweet clip, you can see the cat holding and “mothering” at least five adorable chicks. The fluffy white...
College Student Calls Her Pet Cat To Say Goodnight
Leaving for college is an emotional time for both students and their parents. Students leaving home for the first time have a lot of adjustments to make, including managing a dorm room or apartment on their own and learning to cope without seeing their parents everyday. Students who leave family pets behind also have a big adjustment to make. It’s a bittersweet time for many students. The bonds students form with their pets over the years make parting ways that much more difficult. Photo: Pexels/Keira Burton While some students are...
World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Presented by People Mag and Pedigree is Back!
The World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest is back! The contest, which is in its sixth year, is being presented by People Magazine and the Pedigree pet food brand. If you’re the paw parent of an adorable rescue pup, you only have until August 4 to enter! Photo: Pixabay/PicsbyFran Rescue canines of all breeds, sizes, and ages are encouraged to enter the contest, and one lucky winner will be given a feature in the magazine, as well as a number of other prizes. last year’s contest winner was a Shiba Inu named Gordon, whose dog mom,...
Expecting Parents Let Golden Retriever Pick Out The Baby’s Name
Choosing a baby’s name can be exciting, but there’s also a lot of pressure behind it. After all, a name is often permanent and it’s something the child has to live with forever. While some parents struggle to come up with name ideas they agree on, other parents have too many names to choose from and they can’t decide! What do you do when you can’t decide for whatever reason? Photo: Pexels/Leah Kelley One couple decided to get creative with their baby naming process by utilizing the family dog, Beau! Beau the...
5 Signs You Have a Happy Dog In Your Home
Dogs have a natural ability to bring joy into our lives, but how can you tell if your dog is happy as well? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key signs a dog is happy. Sign #1 a dog is happy: Healthy Appetite Having a healthy appetite and excitement around mealtimes are some of the sure signs a dog is happy. Eagerness during mealtimes: A dog with a good appetite will show excitement and eagerness when it’s time to eat. They may wag their tail, pace around, or become visibly enthusiastic as you prepare their food. Finishing...
Diamonds in Peril: The Decline of the Northern Diamondback Terrapin Population
The Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a captivating species of turtle found along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Known for its unique diamond-shaped patterns, this beautiful reptile has captured the imagination of many nature enthusiasts. Unfortunately, studies show the Northern Diamondback Terrapin is facing numerous threats that have pushed its population to the brink of survival. Unique Characteristics and Habitat of the Northern Diamondback Terrapin According to the Connecticut Department of Energy &...
What is a Puppy Cut?
A puppy cut is a dog’s haircut that is one, consistent, typically short length all over the dog’s body. While the dog’s parents and the groomer determine the actual length of hair for their dog, depending on activity levels and outside temperatures, hair length typically ranges from a shave to several inches of hair. The history of the puppy cut The term puppy cut comes from the dog show world to describe how to care for and maintain a Poodle puppy’s coat to prepare her for competing in dog shows. Anyone who has seen a...
3 Reasons to Use Cordyceps for Cats
Cordyceps for cats have many health benefits, including for their kidneys, diabetes, and lungs. No matter what age your kitty is, cordyceps can help keep them healthy and feeling great! Have you heard about the health benefits of Cordyceps for cats? The Cordyceps mushroom is related to two of the tastiest edible mushrooms: Truffles and Morels. This is important because palatability rules when it comes to giving cats healthy supplements. You know how picky our feline friends can be! Beyond that, cordyceps also have many functional benefits for...
Inclusivity in Action: Strategies for DEI in Animal Welfare
[embedded content] The week of Juneteenth, DEI—diversity, equity, and inclusion—is front of mind. But, how can we take action beyond one week and move toward a more diverse and equitable culture in animal welfare? Tune into this panel discussion with Mia Navedo-Williams, Manager of Multicultural Engagement for Best Friends Animal Society, Rory Adams, Senior Manager of Adoption Initiatives for PetSmart Charities, and Shakela Brown, Director of Community Services for Humane Rescue Alliance. Vincent Medley, Maddie’s®...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free stock library, calming the canines and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Community celebrates Independence Day by “Calming the Canines” at their local animal shelterWe’re republishing this blog from 2018 since Fourth of July is a stressful time for shelter pets. Here’s how one shelter kept their dogs calm during fireworks. It was the Fourth of July, and both of the shelters run by Maricopa County Animal Care & Control were full. Fireworks displays, a notorious trigger for canine… Learn More...
The Ultimate Summer Pet Safety Guide!
These handy summer pet safety tips will keep your four-legged friends happy and healthy when you’re having fun in the sun, going for a dip, and during all your summer excursions. There’s nothing like a summer adventure with your four-legged bestie! But summer also brings some hazards for your furry pal. Veterinarians Don LeHoullier, owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic, and Dr. Louis DelGuidice, National Emergency Specialty Director with AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, understand summer risks. They’ve offered some great...
Airedale Terrier 101
Appropriately nicknamed the King of Terriers, the Airedale Terrier conveys this by being remarkably adaptable, talented and a confident breed. Renowned for his independent problem solving, cleverness and hard-working nature, the Airedale yet finds time for fun, and even silliness. The breed is known for both his dedication to a job and to his family. This breed works best with active families that have plenty of time, energy and patience. The Airedale was among the top 10 most popular breeds in America in the early 20th century and came in at...
Can Lipomas in Dogs Be Treated Naturally?
Lipomas are common in dogs, especially as they get older. In most cases, these fatty lumps are harmless and can be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes, along with herbs and other alternative therapies. Any time we spot something different or unusual on our dogs’ bodies, it can set off alarm bells, especially when it appears in the form of a lump or bump. As dog parents, our minds immediately start racing, and we frantically ask ourselves things like: “When did I last feel that spot? Are there any more bumps? Could it be the...
Milk Is Unhealthy And Unnecessary For Your Cat
You’ve probably seen it in viral videos of cute animals, cartoons, or children’s books where cats are happily (sometimes even eagerly) drinking from a bowl of milk instead of just water. Do they enjoy them as a treat? Does it give them added nutrition– is it even safe to consume actually? It’s not unusual for people to associate cats with milk. In fact, it’s a myth and a common stereotype that cats love drinking milk. The video below might say otherwise, but the fact remains that cats can’t drink milk....
