Five Years After Hitching a Ride on a Flight to Freedom, Chihuahua Mix is Family’s Protector
In June 2017, a 5-year-old chihuahua mix left a crowded Texas shelter where her adoption chances were slim. She was about to catch a flight that would take her to the Pacific Northwest and a brand new life. Ashley and more than 100 other pets touched down in Seattle, Washington, eight hours later. They’d arrived on one of many Flight to Freedom transports, on which thousands of pets have hitched a ride since 2017. The program is a partnership between The Animal Rescue Site, Free Kibble, and Greater Good Charities’ Good Flights...
Chicago Pizza Parlor to Include Flyers of Adoptable Dogs with Pie Deliveries
PAWS Chicago Pet Adoption is partnering with Piece Brewery & Pizzeria for their “Slice to Meet You” campaign. While this may not mean much to you, it could mean the world to an animal fortunate enough to find a forever home due to the promotion. Why would it? Because Piece Pizza has gladly agreed to include flyers featuring adoptable dogs with each of their food deliveries in the hope that it will boost adoptions, according to a PAWS news release. Photo: PAWS Chicago Chicago-Style Pizza Each PAWS flyer will include information...
Lost Dog Falls Through An Icy Creek And Gets Rescued Just In The Nick Of Time
No temperature is too high or too low for this pet parent! In spite of the cold winter weather of December and the mixed emotions of seeing the family dog crying and whining in the middle of the icy cold pond, one brave dad didn’t even hesitate to jump in to save his dog. PHOTO: Pixabay/schwarzweisz Moose was on the loose and the local residents of Anne Arundel County in Maryland banded together to help find the slippery dog. Moose is an Ausiedoodle that was left in the care of a dog sitter just before Christmas, as his fur parents were...
St. Bernard and Cow Develop Adorable Friendship at Virginia Sanctuary
Five years ago, Susan Klingenberg came home with a newborn calf named Bucket that she’d gotten at a livestock auction. After their arrival, the baby bovine lay down almost immediately on a bed belonging to Klingenberg’s 4-year-old St. Bernard, Colton, and fell sound asleep. The following day, Colton and Bucket got better acquainted, spending their time frolicking outside as if they were both dogs romping, licking, and snuggling together. It was the perfect place for the odd pairing to happen, as Klingenberg is the founder of...
Pet Parrot Scares Away Robbers With Frightening Shrieks
A pet parrot is being credited as a hero after scaring off a would-be thief on New Year’s Eve. According to 9 News, the two-year-old macaw named Versace was home alone in Melbourne, Australia when an attempted robbery occurred. Photo: Flickr/Hai Linh Truong License: CC BY 2.0 The homeowners had left for the night to ring in the New Year but it’s a good thing they left their beloved parrot at home. After they left, someone attempted to break into the home but Versace let out the alarm! The clever macaw seemed to recognize that...
How to Make Sure You’re Starting Your Pet’s Year Off Right
There’s no better time to reassess your pet’s overall health and wellness than the start of a new year. We’ve put together a list of our best pet parent tips for 2023 to help make sure you’re starting your pet’s year off right. Schedule their annual veterinary appointment Pets are notoriously good at hiding signs of illness, so it’s not uncommon for pet parents to be unaware something is wrong until it becomes serious. This is why our best pet parent tip for 2023 is to schedule an annual vet appointment at...
How Long Can a Puppy Be Left Alone?
You love your puppy. Spending time with him is so much fun. But you must work outside the home. After all, you want to provide the best life you can for him and the cost of food, treats, vet bills, training and grooming can add up. So, you wonder: How long can your puppy be left alone? It comes down to his age, socialization, training and exercise needs Number of hours a puppy can be left alone for bathroom needs A puppy needs to potty often and can hold his bladder only so long. So when determining how long your precious puppy can be left...
Lab-Grown Meat – Should It Be Used in Pet Food?
Once you get beyond the “ick” factor, lab-grown meat may have profound ethical and environmental advantages. But will it be good for our dogs and cats (and us) and should it be used in pet food? Lab-grown meat? It sounds like something out of a science fiction story, but it’s a concept being explored by a growing number of companies. This article takes a closer look at lab-grown meat and how it’s made – and more importantly, whether or not it should be used in pet foods. How Is Lab-Grown Meat Made? Also known as...
Today is the last day to apply for an Online Instructor-Led Course!
Today, January 10, is the last day to apply for Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses! If you’re looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community, then look no further! These courses require completion of: self-paced online materials, (4) 90-minute Zoom classes with your instructor and classmates, and a final project. Class size is limited and the selection process is competitive. “Our instructor-led offerings are a really cool...
Woman Goes to Walk Her Dogs at Park, Comes Home with a Cat
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! One day I was walking my two Labradors at a park by my house. There was an abandoned road by the park where people had recently begun dumping construction debris and brush. On one side of the road was a vet, and people had also released cats, so there were several ferals by the road. These cats always disappeared when I came with my two big dogs, but this day was different. CAT. PHOTO:...
Scotsman Freaked Out by 4-Foot Corn Snake Living in Late Aunt’s Kitchen Sink
So, a kind man in Scotland went over to his dead aunt’s house to help clear it out when he got the fright of his life: an encounter with a brightly-colored and fairly long corn snake that had somehow gotten into the home’s kitchen sink. While they are not poisonous, a snake’s a snake, and they freak most people out. Photo: Pixabay/sipa Highland Fling Scotsman Paul Lawrie was inside the dwelling on Market Street in Musselburgh with his daughter one day recently when he spotted what he believed to be a rubber toy. The...
Adults 65 and Older Who Own Pets Score Higher on Memory Tests Than Non-Pet Owners
According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, adults over the age of 65 who owned a pet for more than five years scored better on memory tests than non-pet owners. This adds to the plethora of evidence pointing to the mental and physical benefits of pet ownership already out there. Photo: Pixabay/StockSnap The Power of the Dog Dogs and cats are the most plentiful among household pets but pet ownership, in general, can have the same impact on our health. For this particular study, the group assessed data...
Threatened by Plastic Pollution and Habitat Destruction, the Leatherback Turtle Needs Our Help
The leatherback turtle is the largest and most ancient species of turtle in the world, but it is also one of the most endangered, the World Wildlife Fund reports. These massive reptiles, which can grow up to seven feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds, are facing a number of threats that are pushing them toward extinction. According to the American Museum of Natural History, one of the biggest threats to leatherback turtles is habitat loss. These turtles rely on specific beaches for nesting and reproduction, and the destruction of these...
A Retriever-Shepherd Mix Was Found 4 Weeks Later and 62 Miles Away After Disappearing During Barn Fire
Another happy ending for pet parents with a missing fur baby! This one occurred in Woodford County, Illinois, four weeks after the family’s retriever-shepherd mix ran off during a barn fire on December 11. On the day the family was doing a televised interview regarding their pet’s disappearance, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that their 8-year-old dog, Ollie, had been found alive 62 miles away! Photo: 25 News Family Reunion Jim and Evelyn Zoss were standing before the cameras with a member of Animal Control when they...
What Are Dog Registration Papers?
Getting a new dog comes with many considerations — one of which is whether he or she comes with “papers.” But what do registration papers really mean? AKC registration papers Brandi H. Munden, vice president of PR and Communications for the American Kennel Club, says the AKC is a registry body, responsible for tracking the lineage of dogs representing 200 different breeds. Registering a dog through the AKC includes a one-time registration fee for the lifetime of the dog, says Brandi. Registration is confirmed once the AKC...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, Open Arms Challenge and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Last chance to apply: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led Courses Tuesday, January 10 is the last day to apply for Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses. The courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They’re the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! Class size is limited and the selection process is...
Dog Took the Initiative to Ensure That the Drinks Were Secured While Its Human Drove
Dogs bring a lot of good things into this world. Aside from bringing happiness to every household, they also offer security. Canines are wired to keep things safe and quickly act amidst danger. Thousands of years ago, before most dog breeds became domesticated, their primary societal roles were herders and guardians. They are trained to secure livestock whenever outdoors and guide them, so no one goes astray. Up until now, dogs have contributed to society as guard dogs, therapy dogs, and K9s. Photo: Unsplash/Chewy A household with dogs is...
Cat Refuses To Move From Doberman’s Bed Despite His Protests
There’s a stereotype about cats and dogs in which dogs always chase cats around. However, if you’ve ever lived with both a dog and a cat under one roof, you might realize that the opposite is often true. While dogs and cats can get along as friends, there can also be disagreements, but it’s often the cat that comes out on top. Photo: TikTok/@amandaplease606 That’s certainly the case in Amanda’s home. She has a feisty feline and a Doberman. It might seem like the Doberman would have the upper hand, but the cat...
Homeowner Finds Six Black Cats Hanging Out In His Yard
A Florida-based cat owner was in for quite a surprise when they looked outside and spotted 6 new cats in the yard! The black cats were photographed staring intensely into the house. Photo: Reddit/u/fuckk_it A Reddit user (u/fuckk_it) posted to Reddit in the r/aww community, sharing photos of the cats. They captioned the post: “A few weeks ago we found a family of 6 living in our backyard.” The Reddit user found the black cats hanging out on the cement patio, in planters, and even on lawn chairs! Black cats may be a bad omen, but...
What Are the Best Dog Diapers?
Through a variety of circumstances, there may come a time when your dog has trouble controlling his bladder or bowels. Fortunately, many companies offer dog diapers specifically made in a range of styles and sizes to accommodate all breeds and types of dogs. As the name implies, a dog diaper is a piece of absorbent material that wraps around a dog’s bottom and between his or her legs to absorb and retain urine and feces. A dog diaper also features a hole to accommodate the dog’s tail. What’s the purpose of a dog diaper? Some...
