Kitten Season is Here Again, and We’ve Got Resources for You
Well, it’s that time of year again. Kitten season. You’re either in it already, or the kittens are coming. You don’t need us telling you how hard kitten season is, especially in these very challenging times. The good news is we have a lot of tools and resources that will help you communicate with and engage your community, in the work of saving cats’ and kittens’ lives. 6 Tips for Building a Barrier-Free, Inclusive Foster Base When the ASPCA launched its LA Foster Program in 2017, a first...
How to Teach a Dog to Swim
Swimming is a fun activity for dogs, and while some automatically know how to swim, many dogs aren’t comfortable with water and need to learn how. Teaching your dog to swim or taking your dog to swimming lessons reinforces the idea that being in and around the water is going to be a positive experience. Before teaching your dog to swim: follow these three water-safety tips: Wear swim clothes so you can go into the water with your dog. Bring a properly fitted dog life jacket or life vest. These dog life jackets, also called canine...
Why Some Pet Parents Choose In-Home Euthanasia
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...
Feral Cat Becomes So Lovable, She Drools When She Gets Pets
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! The first time I saw her, it was a February day and she was sitting on the front steps of my house. She was staring up at the front door, practically asking someone to let her in. Two years earlier, we had lost our cat named Sara to kidney failure. Seeing that tortie sitting there, it felt as if Sara was reaching out from beyond the Rainbow Bridge and saying “help her.” CAT....
Sweet Pup “Bringer” Needs a Reprieve From Shelter Noise ASAP
Meet Bringer, a sweet pibble that’s not quite 3 years old and weighs approximately 60 pounds. Bringer is neutered and current on vaccinations, but that’s the boring stuff. The people who know Bringer best have far more interesting things to say about this handsome fella. For instance, shelter staff at Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson had this to say about him: Bringer is kind of an odd name, isn’t it? It definitely begs the question of what exactly he’s bringing… Well, the answer is simple. This happy young guy...
Insurance Provider Shares Entertaining Reasons for Claims Involving Dogs, and We Can All Relate
U.K. and Canadian insurance provider Aviva has revealed some of the claims submitted by policyholders with dogs, and most of us pet parents can relate. According to the carrier, dogs have been a factor in close to 4,000 accidental damage claims over the past five years. They include instances ranging from damaged laptops to damaged dentures, and they all had one thing in common: their dogs were to blame — or at least being blamed. Almost any dog owner has had at least one pair of their favorite shoes devoured at some point in life, so...
Senior Hound Adopted After Waiting 7 Years At North Carolina Shelter
Mitch arrived as an emaciated stray dog seven years ago at Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, a no-kill animal shelter in Jackson County, North Carolina. They never gave up hope that one day he would find a loving home. Staff and volunteers showered the sweet hound with love and attention as he waited for someone to give him a chance. The years passed by, but Mitch remained hopeful that one day he would meet his person. The laid-back fella was spoiled with Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas presents but one thing was missing – a family...
Shelter Dog Marie Hopes It Will Be Her Turn For A “Freedom Ride” Soon
Patience is a virtue, and 5-year-old shelter dog Marie has been more than patient. For the past 140 days, she has watched countless dogs find their forever homes and patiently waits by her kennel door for her chance. As the days go by, she wonders if it will ever be her turn… Humane Society of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, shared that the American Staffordshire Terrier Mix is nicknamed “Mermaid” because she is ready to make a splash with you. She loves to play and be close to people but will need to be the only...
ZIWI Combines Top Quality Pet Nutrition with Convenience
Giving your dog or cat a healthy diet doesn’t have to be complicated, thanks to a company that blends high quality nutrition with the convenience of ready-to-serve food. A healthy diet means a healthy dog or cat, and that’s what most of us want for our animal companions. But some people hesitate to step up their game when feeding their dogs and cats because they worry it’ll be too difficult or complicated. Not so, especially when it comes to companies like ZIWI, which makes top quality pet foods that are also simple and...
How To Cool Down a Dog In The Summer
Tap into some cooling vests to keep Fido comfortable in the summer heat. You want one that is easy to use, is well constructed and is proven to keep a dog cool. $69. bArctic Light Therapy Dog Shirt. This shirt cools in hot sun to reduce the risk of overheating while converting sunlight into healthy red and near-infrared light through laser physics and optics (like your vet’s laser treatments). Can be warm all year as also warms in cool temps. Comes in a variety of from 3XS to 3XL-long and in four colors: gray with orange, blue or mint...
The February Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are…
On Monday, Maddie’s Fund® gave four organizations a $2,500 grant for attending the February Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $10,000 in grants was given to four people chosen at random. These four people won a grant for their organization: Tracy Sator, Wags & Whiskers, (Innsbrook, MO) Shana McCawley, Freed Spirits Animal Rescue (Phoenix, AZ) Alicia Mason, Animal Advocates of the Ozarks (Branson, MO) Laramie Smovir, City of Great Falls Animal Shelter (Great Falls, MT) Want a chance to win a grant for your organization?...
This Greyhound Was Anxious for Days, But His New Family Never Gave Up on Making Him Smile
Dogs are carriers of happiness and one of the friendliest animals in the world. Expressing excitement is natural to them, especially when they see their favorite humans. Dogs bark for joy and wag their tails out of delight — actions both completely contagious, and you’ll find yourself smiling at the sight. However, like humans, bubbliness disappears when anxiety occurs. Even the happiest creature on Earth can lose its smile. It can happen when the dog is gravely traumatized before adoption. They might avoid contact as much as...
Lion Joins Humans on a Bus and Gives the Warmest Welcome Hugs to His Visitors
Lions are famously known as predatory cats that rule over grassy lands. Every creature they preyed on trembled in their presence — the huge feline is a hunter no one should ever underestimate. Back in 1932 to 1947, there were records of humans from Tanzania who were eaten by lions. The predator became a threat to humanity as the killings went on for generations. But as time went on, and cities progressed, animals and humans lived separately, which capped the lion hunt. However terrifying, people must remember that not all wild cats...
TSA’s Instagram Shares ‘Cat-astrophe’ After Another Traveler Puts Pet Through X-Ray Screening
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently reminded flyers not to put their pets through x-ray screening as they go through security. Another person apparently didn’t get the memo, as the government agency has used social media to highlight the latest occurrence. TSA’s Instagram page recently shared an image from another such incident, calling it “the latest cat-astrophe at ORF Airport.” That’s in Norfolk, Virginia, where a traveler had neglected to take their cat out of their carrier ahead of the...
Benji Respectfully Wants to Know What the Hold Up is With His Adoption
“There was a foster that had a dog and Benji was his name, oh, B-E-N-J-I, B-E-N-J-I, B-E-N-J-I- and Benji was his name, oh!” Hi, my name is Benji, in case you didn’t catch that. I am a full-blooded Chocolate Lab who is 1.5 years old and comes in at a very healthy and fit weight of 85 pounds. I was surrendered to Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue in central Arizona due to my previous family not having the time to provide me with the proper exercise and socialization that I needed to be a very well-balanced boy. Photo: Desert...
New Cat Moms Share Mothering Duties with Their Two Litters
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! In January 2014, I lost my beloved cat, Scully, at the age of 17. I was completely devastated but knew that, when the time was right, I wanted to rescue two cats together to be part of my family. Then I heard the story of Maya and Luna. CATS. PHOTO: PIXABAY / GUNDULA VOGEL On February 25, 2014 (ironically World Spay Day), the Langley shelter received a call from someone saying that they...
Nonprofit, “My Grandfather’s Cat,” Celebrates 100th Adoption!
A 28-year-old Canadian woman who helps seniors rehome their pets has celebrated her 100th animal adoption! Angela Rafuse was inspired to create a charity benefitting seniors and their pets after her 85-year-old grandpa passed away before he could find a home for his cat, Mackenzie. None of his surviving relations had the ability to take the frightened calico in, so Angela made the decision to adopt the kitty herself. Photo: Pixabay/JosepMonter Seniors Living with Pets Angela moved back home to live with her parents in Halifax, Nova Scotia,...
Good News: Project Studying Endangered Creatures in Australia Tallied 29 Recovered Species!
Australia and the rest of the world have cause for celebration after it was announced that 29 species formerly listed as “endangered” Down Under have rebounded enough to be removed from the worrisome classification. This is excellent news proving that with proper conservation efforts animals heading toward extinction can make a comeback. Australia’s Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act lists 446 species of animals considered in genuine need of protection. The 29 that were removed from the list include 15...
Saving the Philippine Eagle: Immediate Action Needed to Protect Nesting Sites
The Philippine Eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is one of the largest and most majestic raptors in the world. With a wingspan of up to 7 feet and a weight of up to 14 pounds, it is a formidable predator that commands respect and admiration, One Earth reports. Endemic to the Philippines, this eagle is a symbol of national pride and an important part of the country’s cultural heritage, The Vulture Trip reports. However, despite its iconic status, the Philippine Eagle is in grave danger of extinction. Photo: Adobe Stock /...
Dog Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention
The most famous of all canine pests is the flea. Fleas are tiny insects that live on the blood of mammal hosts. The dog flea and the cat flea are the two most commonly seen on dogs, with the cat flea being much more prevalent. Fleas cause harm to dogs in a number of ways: Their bites often cause a strong reaction on the dog’s skin, resulting in irritation and itching. Fleas can spread diseases like tapeworm, typhus and even the plague. Transmission occurs by either their bite or by being ingested. Fleas can cause anemia, in severe...
