The 2023 “World’s Ugliest Dog” Competition Is Officially Underway
Dogs are cute, at least, many of them are. If you’ve been around dogs before in your life, you probably realize that while there are plenty of adorable pups in the world, there’s also a fair mix of straight ugly dogs. It’s hard to even write that, but it’s true. In fact, there are so many ugly dogs in the world that a competition was created to celebrate them! Photo: Flickr/Wayne Dunbar License: CC BY-ND 2.0 The “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition has been happening for nearly 50 years as a way to honor...
Best Food For Senior Dogs: Aging Dog Nutrition Explained
It’s well known that nutrition plays a big role in a puppy’s health, but it’s often forgotten that these early months aren’t the only stage of a dog’s life where they have special nutritional needs. Senior dogs also need a diet that supports their aging bodies, which is why we want to help you find the best food for senior dogs. What should you look for when choosing the best food for senior dogs? Senior dogs have different nutritional needs compared to their younger counterparts. Knowing this, the best food for...
Tiger Population in Thai Wildlife Sanctuary Sees Increases for the First Time in 30 Years
Some good news out of Kanchanaburi, Thailand has arrived. A wildlife sanctuary in Southeast Asia has seen its tiger population increase for the first time in three decades. Staff working at the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary were able to identify three Indochinese tigers by their distinctive stripe patterns. The three cats were observed in a nature reserve to the north, last year, noted the Bangkok Post. Photo: Pixabay/RaeWallis Tiger Stripes Each tiger’s stripe pattern is completely unique and as distinct as human fingerprints. Staff at...
Can Dogs Have ADHD?
“My dog is so ADHD …” is a phrase commonly used to describe our overly energetic, often impulsive canine friends. It’s a convenient comparison of activity levels with the familiar human diagnosis of ADHD. Yet, canine hyperactive disorder (HD) remains a rare clinical diagnosis, says dog behaviorist Dr. Sally J. Foote. Symptoms of canine HD (dog adhd) Not sure if your dog has canine hyperactive disorder? Look for these symptoms: Inability to stop moving despite hours of exercise Difficulty sleeping for prolonged periods...
Rescue Cats Get In “Kerfuffle” At Sanctuary Right Before Snack Time
An adorable video captured the moment a feisty “kerfuffle” unfolded at a cat sanctuary right before snack time. Thankfully, no cats were harmed in the midst of the fight, at least not physically (there may have been some ego damage). Photo: TikTok/@furballfarmpetsanctuary The cats were all waiting together for some food at the Furball Farm Pet Sanctuary in Faribault, Minnesota, a cage free cat sanctuary for feral cats, when the incident occurred. It all started when one cat decided to swat at another. While it could’ve ended...
You Can Definitely Relax at a Malaysian Cafe That Surprisingly Highlights Live Reptiles
The existence of coffee shops is truly beneficial to society, especially to those who thrive with the help of coffee and sweets. You can quickly order coffee if you have a sudden need for a shot of caffeine. Cafes are very accessible, because if you might have not noticed yet, coffee shops are almost everywhere. From the largest coffeehouse companies to small businesses, you can easily find one nearby. But it isn’t just the beverages and food that make people visit the establishment — it’s also a place for social gatherings....
3 Steps to Balance Your Dog with the Right Protein
Dogs need 1 gram of protein per 1 pound of body weight every day to stay healthy. But did you know that you could be feeding your dog the wrong kind of protein? Find the right one and their right food with these three easy steps! Protein is an essential part of your dog’s diet. However, feeding the wrong protein could actually cause an imbalance. Eastern Food Therapy tells us you need to understand your dog’s ‘temperature’ so you can feed them the right protein. This one diet change could make all the difference for...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Welcoming practices, Black animal activism and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Resources to incorporate more welcoming practices at your animal organizationWith the Open Arms Challenge kicking off next month, the Maddie’s® Pet Forum resource drive for March is focused on welcoming practices. We know that making changes to your organization’s existing practices can sometimes be challenging, so the goal with this resource drive is to share and learn from others who have made changes or… Learn More The February Community...
Turkeys Think They’re Superior To You And No One Knows Why
If you think about animals that follow a certain hierarchy, you’d probably think about primates and wolves. Those that hold the alpha position are treated as the superior in their group, and it’s expected for the rest of their group to respect them. But there’s another group of animals that has their own, quite literally I must add, pecking order. PHOTO: Pixabay/Jae Rue The term pecking order actually came from a zoologist who discovered the dominance or social hierarchy in chickens. The term is still widely used today and...
Why Play Is So Important for Dogs
Play is vital to your dog’s well-being, both physically and mentally, and choosing the right toys makes it even more beneficial. In today’s busy world, we don’t give play a very high priority. Yet, it’s important to physical, mental and emotional health — not just for us, but for our dogs too. Playing with your dog is not only fun, it’s also good for both of you, and choosing the right toys makes it even better. Benefits of Play “Play keeps us young at heart and healthy in our bodies, and it does the...
You’ll Love Doggy Parton, Dolly Parton’s New Dog Product Line
Annie Butler Shirreffs Annie Butler Shirreffs has worked in the pet industry for 20 years and is currently the senior editor of Catster and Dogster magazines. A cat lover since she was a little girl, she has always had feline friends in her life. She and her husband share their Southern California home with their four cats, Agatha, Alastair, Jack and Mathilda, and an ever-changing clowder of foster kittens, all of whom enjoy being testers for cool, new products. Source:...
Take Your Dog to Work Day: What You Must Know
Some days, you may feel that you work like a dog at your job. But imagine getting to work with your dog in your cubicle, your office or business. In 1999, Patti Moran, founder of Pet Sitters International, created the annual event Take Your Dog to Work Day. This year, it is being celebrated on June 23, and it has now expanded to Take Your Pet to Work Week and, yes, even Take Your Cat to Work Day. “I wanted to find a way for PSI to give back to the pet community from which our members earn their living and find a unique way to celebrate...
Nearly 250 Neglected Rabbits Rescued From One Property
This story was submitted by Lindsey Heaney from our shelter friend, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, which saves pets’ lives in the Tacoma, Washington area. The Animal Rescue Site is proud to share their stories. You can learn more about their work here! In mid-February, 246 rabbits were confiscated from a Puyallup, Washington, property by Pierce County Animal Control and were brought to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. The rabbits varied in age and physical condition. The shelter’s veterinary...
Sweet, Smart, & Fun Chocolate Lab with Personality Described as “Delightful” in Need of Rescuing
I’m Ruby, but I go by the name Remi. I am a sweet, smart, and fun 8-year-old chocolate Lab girl. My former mom has described my personality as “delightful” and that I’m a devoted and loyal companion to my human. I’m looking for a home with no dogs, cats, or other creatures. Honestly, I’m all you’ll need cuz I’m that special. I have basic training and obedience skills perfected. I’m very loving, affectionate, and silly. I’m also playful and enjoy cuddling with you. Attention is the...
An 8-Foot Gator Was Discovered in the Attic of a North Carolina Home by a Code Enforcement Officer
Here’s your wild news for the week. A code enforcement official inspecting a three-story home in Wilmington, North Carolina, was in for the surprise of his life when he entered the attic of a home he was there to inspect. The routine inspection for potential structural issues or code violations left Dean Brown in disbelief after he initially thought the gargantuan creature was a large stuffed replica of some sort. It wasn’t until he saw its eyes open and realized it was breathing that he knew he’d made a monumental...
Foster Pet Caregivers are Needed Now More Than Ever
Fosters and volunteers are desperately needed across the country for rescues and shelters bursting at the seams with surrendered or stray animals. The sentiment is shared by the Connecticut-based rescue organization Where the Love Is, which seconded the notion. “We are constantly asking for fosters. It’s just really wonderful when a dog could get out of the kennel and into a home,” volunteer Janice Murphy Wallace said. Photo: Pixabay/Cparks Overflowing Kennels Animal welfare organizations are unable to bring in newly...
Rising Costs of Pet Ownership Could Lead to Animal Welfare Crisis, Warns Cats Protection
The rising cost of living has created a challenging situation for pet owners, with many struggling to keep up with the expenses associated with owning a cat. According to a pet charity, Cats Protection, the cost-of-living crisis could lead to an animal welfare crisis, as owners are cutting back on essential services such as veterinarian care, vaccinations, and insurance. A survey of over 3,000 cat owners revealed that one in three felt “greatly impacted” by soaring costs, Yahoo! News reports, with one in five admitting to spending...
Man Blown Away When Scam “Bully Puppy” Turns Out to Be a Hyena
A TikToker going by the user name @infared_savage recently posted about an unusual experience he had while trying to buy a bully-breed puppy online. For starters, it would be really great if people would head to rescues or shelters before buying a bully. In case you’ve never been to one or even scoped them out online, most of the dogs at most of the animal shelters across the nation are, in fact, bully breeds ranging from pups to senior dogs. All of them would be grateful for a good home. But that’s not necessarily germane to the...
Forever Chemicals Found in Baby Supplies and Pet Food
Dangerous chemicals known as forever chemicals, or PFAS, have become a pervasive threat to our health and the environment. As the Associated Press reports, these highly toxic chemicals, linked to cancer and other serious health problems, do not break down in the environment and build up in our bodies and those of our pets over time. A study by the Environmental Working Group found PFAS in everything from baby supplies to pet food. The testing revealed that these harmful chemicals were present in baby bedding, clothes, and toys, as well as the...
Does Your Dog Have Separation Anxiety?
Do you avoid going out because you worry about your dog being home alone? If he barks, whines or howls when you leave, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Research shows that about 17% of dogs in the U.S. have issues with separation anxiety when their humans leave them alone. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to separation anxiety, while the rest acquire it for reasons not always easy to understand. Your dog may communicate his distress in several ways, including excessive vocalization, destroying property or belongings,...
