Historic Pony Express Returns for 163rd Anniversary Ride!
History buffs, equine riders, and postal enthusiasts all have something to celebrate as the 163rd anniversary of the Pony Express is being observed with an almost 2,000-mile ride on horseback from Sacramento, California, to St. Joseph, Missouri. Say what? Didn’t that end, like, over 160 years ago? Well, yes. In operation for a mere 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861, the Pony Express helped tie the country’s two halves together news-wise until the transcontinental telegraph was completed. While brief, today, the early...
From National Security Advisor to Cat Whisperer: The Story of the Cat Man of San Marcos
Chris Dachi grew up in six countries as the son of an American diplomat and has consequently had a lot of diverse life experiences. But until he was in his mid-40s, he believes he had probably never petted a cat. He was busy as a lawyer and a national security advisor and didn’t want anything much to do with felines. “I was pathologically opposed to anything to do with cats,” he recalls.“I was very, very allergic. They scared me.” But when he and his now wife decided to get married, she confided in him that she...
A Guide On The Best Spots to Pet Your Dog or Cat
Petting is a great way to show affection and bond with your four-legged friend, however, not all animals enjoy being petted in the same way. Understanding where to pet your dog or cat can make a significant difference in their comfort and happiness. To learn more about where – or where not – to pet your furry friends, take a look at our guide on the best spots to pet a dog or cat! Best spots to pet a dog Every dog is unique, so what feels nice to one dog may not necessarily be enjoyable for another. The good news is that there are...
Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Engulfs US East Coast, Threatening Public Health of Millions
Intense smoke from raging wildfires in Canada is blanketing the skies over the border into New York and other parts of the eastern United States. This hazardous smoke has prompted air quality alerts affecting over 75 million people on the East Coast from the state of Maryland to Ottawa, Canada, posing a significant threat to public health, CNN reports. Wildfires have ravaged Quebec, with several hundred incidents recorded in 2023 alone, Reuters reports, twice the historical average. The impact of these fires extends beyond Quebec, as Canada...
Heartbroken 12-Year-Old Dog Surrendered To Shelter Cries Out For His Family
Meet Teddy. For the past 12 years he has loved his family unconditionally and been their faithful and loyal companion. He was always there when they needed a shoulder to cry on and did his best to make them smile. All he wanted in return was to remain by their side until his last day. However, his world was turned upside down when his family surrendered him to SPCA Suncoast in Florida because they claimed they were moving out of the country. He would have gladly followed his family wherever they are going, but instead he was abandoned and...
Teach Your Dog Not to Fear Loud Noises
Thunder, fireworks, and other loud noises turn many dogs into nervous wrecks. Here’s how to prevent a fear reaction from developing in your own dog, so he’ll learn to take scary sounds in stride. Do a quick internet search on how many dogs are afraid of noises like fireworks and thunder, and you’ll find around 30% suffer from this anxiety. That’s a lot of noise-phobic dogs. Noise phobia is one of the hardest behavioral issues to deal with because you can’t control either Mother Nature or neighbors celebrating the...
4 Ways to Treat Common Digestive Issues in Dogs
According to a study of nearly 4,000 dogs, three of the most common reasons for digestive issues in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Chances are, as a pup parent, this is not news to you. Given that stomach troubles in dogs account for 10 percent of veterinary visits, you’ve likely had your fair share of doggie digestive woes. Fortunately, with the right diet and treatment, there are ways to give your dog ongoing relief from gastrointestinal tract (GI) issues. Identifying the underlying cause of your dog’s digestive...
How to Choose a Good Dog Food
Today we have many options on the dog food market. So, how do you decide on a healthy, good dog food for your pup? Here are four things to keep in mind. Opt for the best-quality ingredients. Dr. Gary Richter, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, says, “Optimal nutrition comes from a balanced, fresh, whole food diet.” In order to create that type of diet for your dog, Dr. Richter recommends, “following a balanced recipe or purchasing a commercially prepared, fresh food diet — cooked, raw or freeze-dried are all...
The Importance of Thoughtful Sourcing for Dog Food Ingredients
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...
Brighten Your Day by Watching This Video of a Bunny Having Its Breakfast
Rabbits are always described as cute and fluffy creatures that instantly make you fall in love. They are adored by both kids and adults — completing childhood and making adulthood less stressful. A rabbit’s presence also creates a softer environment that most humans are drawn to. For this reason, they are one of the most photographed animals. Netizens love seeing endearing bunny content that brightens their day. Various photos and videos are shared online as people gush over them. Whether indoor rabbits or seen in the wild, the...
The May Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are…
On Monday, Maddie’s Fund® gave two organizations a $5,000 grant for attending the May Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $10,000 in grants was given to two people chosen at random. In addition, the Maddie’s® Pet Forum winner of $3,000 was also announced! These two people won a grant for their organization from the Weekly Community Conversations Calls: Nancy Cullins, Bella Vista Animal Shelter, (Bella Vista, AR) Donna Miller, Happy Stripes Cat Rescue (Medina, OH) And a big congratulations to Bonnie Hiliadis from...
‘Chief Executive’ of Household Dresses for the Job with His Doggie Bowtie
The following story was a finalist 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! Bishop is a tidy polite gentleman, and he believes in being properly outfitted in a bowtie for his management career. PHOTO: PATRICIA CONWAY As Chief Executive of his household, he sets a full agenda, and we underlings must check all boxes for the day to be a success. He is living the life he deserves after his...
Young Callie is Just So Darn Cute You’ll Have to Adopt Him!
A young cat named Callie, who found his way to the San Diego Humane Society after being designated a stray, would like you to know he has plenty of love to give if you’re of a mind to give it back. Photo: San Diego Humane Society Adopting Shelter Pets Callie is a domestic short hair who’s almost got a tuxedo kitty thing going on. He’s only about 1.5 years old and weighs approximately 12 pounds. Because Callie was brought in as a stray, very little is known about him or his behavior around other pets and children. While this...
Velvet Land Hippo “Rose” Needs an Understanding Forever Home
Meet Rose, a full-figured gal who was adopted out and sadly returned to the San Diego Humane Society’s care in February of 2023. There’s no way of knowing everything that Rose has been put through in her life, but her ears have been overly cropped, and it’s obvious she’s been bred more than once. You can draw your own conclusions, but Rose needs a stable environment filled with love and patience where she can adjust and be your only princess. In fact, it’s been recommended that Rose lives in a home without cats,...
From Intake to Outcomes: Managing Summer Space Crises with Animal Case Management
[embedded content] Summer is a challenging time for animal shelters, often coming with high intake numbers and slowed adoptions—that can be a recipe for a space crisis. To get more pets out, shelters are getting creative. Mara Hartsell, Shelter Support Advisor for American Pets Alive!, is sharing how shelters can (and are!) use a case management approach to move more pets through the sheltering system. In this recording, Mara will cover four action categories that can speed up the outcomes process and reduce length of stay for the...
Critically Endangered Pygmy Sloths of Panama are Slipping Away
Most of us are familiar with sloths. They are those strange, slow-moving creatures with scary-long nails that bring unsettling B-level horror movies to mind. Yet they have one of the sweetest, gentlest faces of any creature on the planet. Found throughout Central America and northern South America (including Venezuela and parts of Brazil and Peru), the docile animals spend most of their time hiding up in the trees of tropical rainforests, with much of it spent curled up in a comfy crook or hanging upside down from leafy limbs providing...
Frozen Dog Treats: DIY Pupsicles
When the hot summer months hit, your dog enjoys a frozen treat as much as you. These pupsicles, popsicles for dogs, are a festive addition to your 4th of July celebrations. Materials for frozen dog treats: Plastic cup Unsweetened yogurt Blueberries Strawberries Chew sticks Scissor Use any dog-safe fruit your pup enjoys! © Linda Facci Instructions: Gather your supplies Split the ingredients into 4 even layers. Put a layer of yogurt on bottom of cup, layer on some strawberries, add more yogurt, layer on blueberries and top off with more...
The Plight of the American Kestrel: A Species In Decline While Others Bounce Back
The American kestrel, a small and flashy falcon found coast to coast, has experienced a sharp decline in population. This decline is particularly concerning as birds of prey in North America are generally considered a conservation success story. While species like bald eagles and red-tailed hawks have thrived, the American kestrel has faced a puzzling decline that researchers are striving to understand, Audubon reports. The American kestrel holds a significant place in North America’s avian landscape. While they are not currently...
You Should Be Doing Fee-Waived Adoptions This Summer
Intakes have overtaken positive outcomes for shelter pets. With summer coming, the need to increase accessibility and remove barriers to pets going into homes only grows more urgent. We’re diving in over the next few months to see what data and research can tell us about ways to move shelter pets to adoptions more quickly—beginning with this blog on the research supporting fee-waived adoptions. Shelter operations should utilize rapid intake to placement procedures to support pets leaving the shelter as soon as possible...
6 Reasons Your Dog Needs Collagen
One of the most important proteins in your dog’s body is collagen. It’s needed for healthy joints, bones, and muscles. Learn more about collagen, six reasons your dog needs it, and the one easy way to include more of it in your pup’s diet! Collagen is a protein that the body uses to create connective tissues found in the skin, bones, muscles, and more. Your dog’s body naturally produces collagen. However, as they get older, production slows down. When this happens, your pup needs to get more of it from their diet. And...
