Let’s Talk About Burnout in Animal Welfare
As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s only right that we talk about a topic that hits really close to home for so many of us in the animal welfare space—BURNOUT! Burnout is something that any person working too many hours, under too much stress, and in a challenging environment, is likely to experience at some point in their lives. As a social worker, and particularly a social worker in an animal shelter, I’m often asked if burnout is avoidable. I don’t, unfortunately, have a universal answer to...
Best Hot Weather Dogs: Why These 9 Breeds Love the Sun
If you live in a hot climate and want a dog who can tolerate the heat and accompany you in all this fun, there are particular breeds who like — and even thrive — in warmer temperatures. “Certain breeds stand out for their ability to cope in warm climates,” says Dr. Alex Schechter, founder of Burwood Veterinary. “Breeds better suited for hot weather have developed a range of physical and behavioral characteristics that allow them to tolerate high temperatures and humidity levels. These traits include a thinner...
5 Signs Your Dog Needs a Friend
Dogs are pack animals and often enjoy the company of other canines. Here are five indications your dog might benefit from having a friend to play and hang out with. As pack animals, dogs are very social and love being around others. You probably spend as much time as you can with your dog — and that’s great! — but might he be even better off if there was another dog around to play with and give him company, especially when you’re out? These five signs can help you decide if your dog is in need of a canine friend. 1....
Kitten Successfully Turned a Shoe into Its Own Bed After Several Attempts
Pet parents would gladly give everything to their pets. They do extra efforts to make their house comfortable and safe for them. A personal bed is even included, but when you have a cat, it can become useless. Once they see a confined space, they would fit themselves inside it — transforming into their liquid forms. Felines prefer confined spaces because it provides them with safety, comfort, and a hideout. They are ambush predators that use small spaces to hide themselves from their prey. That’s why you’ll often see them...
Camera Footage Reveals a Dog’s Bed Routine After His Human Dad Leaves the Room
Animals are highly interesting creatures — their personality and habits will pique your curiosity. It’s also one of the reasons why humans love to spend time with their pets. They will surely surprise you with their quirks, likes, dislikes, routines, and how they express themselves. Having a pet is like getting to know another person, and fully knowing them strengthens the bond even more. It’s easy to observe your cats and dogs when you’re a hands-on pet parent. However, there are things about them that fur moms and...
How to Treat a Broken Dog Nail
Kristina Lotz Kristina Lotz has been a writer on all-things animal for over a decade. A former CPDT-KA dog trainer, she has competed in agility, herding and rally with her dogs. Now, she clicker trains her horse! Follow life on her farm @MeridaTheBitless. Source:...
Heartbroken 100-Year-Old Woman Who Lost Her Dog Adopts Senior Chihuahua That Needs A Home
Once we reach the age of 100, we have basically seen it all. That doesn’t mean that losing someone we love no longer stings, and Johanna Carrington knows this all too well. According to GeoBeats Animals, Johanna lives in California and, until recently, she had a beloved dog by her side. When that dog passed, however, she became “sad and quiet.” Photo: YouTube/GeoBeats Animals One thing she didn’t lose was her love of dogs, but her daughter, Debbie, was concerned she didn’t have the wherewithal to care for a new...
Found on a Roadside with a Broken Jaw, Pit Bull Puppy Gets Her Second Chance at Love and Happiness
Just recently, a homeless man appeared in headlines around the world after his two dogs were brutally killed by members of the Metropolitan police in Limehouse Cut in Tower Hamlets, east London. Eyewitnesses countered the police officers’ claim that the dogs — bull terrier type or pit bulls — were aggressive. Another witness denied the story that the dogs had attacked a woman earlier, leading to the police report. Photo: YouTube/On Demand News “I can tell you for a fact that the dog didn’t attack the woman, it...
Man Enters His Robotic Dog Into Prestigious Dog Competition
It’s no secret that technology has advanced astronomically in recent decades. With the recent steps made in artificial intelligence, the plot from the 2004 sci-fi movie I, Robot doesn’t seem that far-fetched. While we don’t currently have robots ruling the world, the advancement in robotics has come quite a ways and there’s even robotic dogs available now! Photo: YouTube/Zac Alsop The UK-based Zak Alsop has built up quite a fanbase on YouTube where he boasts over 1 million subscribers. He decided to purchase a robotic...
Dog Reacts To Taste Testing Different Berries
It’s not secret that most dogs love treats. One dog, though, was treated to an unusual type of treat for a dog: berries! When most people think of dog treats, they picture meat sticks or pre-made meaty snacks. They might even enjoy some lunchmeat on occasion or a bone. Few people would think of giving their dogs berries to enjoy, but that’s what the owner of a one-year-old mutt decided to do! Photo: TikTok/@bella_maligator Bella Maligator (@bella_maligator) was offered a plate full of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,...
Couple Buys House And Adopts Dog The Owners Left In The Yard
When April Parker and her husband started the homebuying process, they didn’t expect to add a new member to their family, but that’s exactly what happened. April took to TikTok to share that when they finally settled on a house to buy, they learned the previous homeowners left their dog tied to a tree in the backyard. Photo: TikTok/@geaux75 While that’s sad in its own right, April further shared that the dog, Molly, was 10 years old and she’d been with the previous owners her whole life! It’s hard to think of...
Funny Pet Behaviors Explained
From their active sleeping habits to seemingly random zoomies, dogs have a knack for charming us with their endearing quirks and captivating behaviors. If you’d like to have these funny pet behaviors explained, join us as we explore what is going on inside the mind of your four-legged friend. Funny pet behaviors explained: Head tilt Dogs tilt their heads in response to certain stimuli or to gather more information about their surroundings. There are a few reasons why dogs exhibit this behavior: Sound localization: Dogs have a keen sense...
How Eastern Food Therapy Can Improve Your Dog’s Life
Based on 5,000 years of knowledge, Eastern Food Therapy has the ability to change your dog’s life, from the inside out. The Eastern Food Therapy diet, also known as Food Energetics, sounds innovative — and to many of us, it is. But this way of eating has been around for thousands of years, making it one of the most time-tested ways to improve your dog’s health and well-being. WHAT IT IS This ancient diet is based on the philosophy of using whole foods to balance the body. It endorses the notion that all foods are either...
The Sweetest Gestures Pets Have Shown Their Human Parents
Love can be expressed both through words and actions. However, there are instances when genuine affection is most felt through gestures. For this reason, it’s more touching when animals express their love for you. It’s because they try to make you see and feel that you are important to them. Despite the language barrier, pet parents can attest to how animals recognize and respond to emotions. Animals are empathetic, especially those that thrive in social groups. They can determine if you’re sad, happy, distressed, and more....
Active Folks Have Active Dogs, Says New Study
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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Project Street Vet, free online foster courses and more!
Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Dr. Kwane Stewart: “Kindness is a super power”Dr. Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet recently spoke at the Weekly Community Conversations call. You’ll be inspired as he talks about his journey from private practice veterinarian, to contemplating leaving shelter medicine behind to walking the streets solo, helping the pets of the unhoused. After about 10 years at a private… Learn More Free online courses...
Clingy Cat Doesn’t Want to Let Go of Momma’s Hand in a Heartwarming Video
Being loved by an animal is truly a heartwarming experience. They genuinely express their affection in special ways. A language barrier might exist, but animals will surely let you know about their feelings through their actions. That’s why a lot of people take pets under their care. Animals are immensely good for the soul, and they make the house feel homier. They will love your presence so much that it makes you feel special. If they could, dogs would accompany you to school or work. Cats might even go everywhere their humans go...
Woman Gives the Best Life to a Special Needs Rat and Its Siblings
Most people’s impression of rats is that they are pests. It’s natural for humans to be wary of a rat’s presence due to health and safety concerns. Those reasons are understandable, but people must also know that some rats are more than just pests. Rats that went through animal cruelty in laboratories or breeders deserve to be rescued. They should be given a comfortable life, especially after a traumatic experience. Those rats often lose a part of their body or eventually their life due to dangerous experiments. Thankfully,...
Woman in California Gets the Shock of Her Life as Honeybees Colonize Her Home
“Almost 90% of wild plants and 75% of leading global crops depend on animal pollination. One out of every three mouthfuls of our food depends on pollinators such as bees. Crops that depend on pollination are five times more valuable than those that do not,” according to the website of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in United Kingdom. Such amazing feats! And to think, much of it gets done by pollinators like honeybees. Photo: YouTube/National Geographic Would you like to know more fascinating facts about bees? Here is valuable...
Mountain Rescuers Traverse Scafell Pike To Rescue Injured Dog
When we have a dog in our family, we will often go to great lengths to ensure they are comfortable and well cared for. When they find themselves in danger, we may even step up our game on their behalf. There are also many people who will go the extra mile for a dog, even when it is a stranger to them. This was recently seen in England when a dog was stuck on the highest mountain in the country. Rocky, the Akita, was saved by rescuers from Scafell Pike. He was injured with cuts to his paws, but his rescuers gave him a helping hand on the way...