A Pretty Name For An Equally Pretty Fish – The Rose-Veiled Fairy Wrasse
A beautiful new species of fish was just discovered in the Maldives. The rose-veiled fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa) is equally as pretty as its name. Finifenmaa is Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, for rose, and it refers to the species’ wonderful coloration. And to add more meaning to its name, the national flower of the Maldives is the Pink Rose, or Fiyatoshi Finifenmaa. PHOTO: Pixabay/David Mark Technically, the species isn’t exactly new to researchers. Although it’s newly discovered, a specimen has been sighted...
How much does the microbiome REALLY contribute to animal health and wellness?
We were taught in school that the genes we inherit from our parents are the biggest driver of health outcomes. Since Antonie van Leewenhoek’s discoveries in the 1680’s that there are visible differences in microbes from the mouth vs. feces, the microbiome and its influence on health and behavior is slowly being realized (cardiovascular, neural development, metabolism, immune regulation, bacterial infection and anxiety to name a few), yet there is so much that remains unknown. [1-6] We know that the cellular power of the microbiome...
Meet the Brave Norwegian Elkhound
Where does the Norwegian Elkhound come from? Norway. He is one of the oldest European breeds, is a member of the Nordic Spitz family and is the National Dog of Norway. How did the Norwegian Elkhound get his name? The name is a direct translation from the original Norwegian name Norsk elghund, which means “Norwegian moose dog.” That’s right, moose, not elk. What is the Norwegian Elkhound like? Friendly, confident, dependable, affectionate. Stubborn and independent. Reserved with strangers until properly introduced. How active...
27 Roosters Rescued From Cockfighting Urgently Need Sanctuary Placement
Dec 19, 2022 Twenty-seven roosters who were rescued out of cockfighting, now need urgent placement at sanctuaries or approved homes. If they are not placed, they may be euthanized as soon as early next week. These roosters were rescued out of a cockfighting bust on November 10, in which the Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit seized 43 animals (9 hens and 34 roosters). After the court case, the animals were removed from the owners. The hens and two roosters were quickly adopted, leaving 32 roosters remaining at Austin Animal Center...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, resources and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Apply now: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led CoursesMaddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led 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 competitive. View courses Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resources...
Horse Gallops Across Field To Greet Friendly Cat
It’s true that love knows no bounds, and Champy and Morris are doing their part to prove it! The unusual friends first met back in 2013 when a woman named Jennifer went to the shelter and adopted a black cat, Morris. She wasn’t sure how Morris would fit into her home life at first, but it wasn’t long before all her fears disappeared. Not only did Morris make himself at home but he quickly befriended the family horse, Champy! Despite being such different sizes and breeds, the two became BFFs and virtually inseparable. Champy...
Friendly Squirrel Leaves Christmas Cookie For Her Neighbor
You never know what you’re going to see when you have a doorbell camera set up. Sometimes, they help solve mysteries we’d never come close to guessing without them! That recently happened to Hannah (TikTok user @southernupnorth) when she found a random cookie left by her front door. Photo: TikTok/@southernupnorth At first, Hannah thought a child had left the cookie for her but then she reviewed her doorbell camera footage and couldn’t believe her eyes! It wasn’t a child at all, but a squirrel who left the cookie....
How To Wrap A Rescue Dog For Christmas
With Christmas right around the corner, many parents are working on putting presents together for their children. While it’s never recommended to gift someone a purchased pet, deciding to adopt a rescue pet for your family can be a fun and rewarding surprise for kids. If you decide to welcome a rescue pup into your home around Christmas time, you may be wondering an important question: How do you wrap a rescue dog? Photo: YouTube/ViralHog Deanna from Papillion, Nebraska is here to answer that along with her two models, Shiloh and Abu....
Playful Cat Caught Frolicking In The Snow
Cats and water are notorious enemies. Felines tend to avoid the wet stuff and don’t typically enjoy swimming or splashing around. Most cats also have a disdain for snow. After all, it’s basically like water but colder and crunchier! When winter time rolls around, many cats can be found seeking refuge and hiding out in warm, dry spaces. Photo: Pexels/Dave Haas However, not all cats are the same, and some enjoy the white powdery stuff. Some cats even find it a lot of fun to play in! Kayleigh Keen (TikTok user @snaileighh) lives in...
What’s the Best Dog Brush for Shedding?
Your dog sheds all over the place. While you love him dearly, you want to make sure he doesn’t cover your home in hair or fur. By researching the best brushes for dogs with short hair and long hair – and purchasing the right product – you can combat shedding and keep your dog looking great at the same time. The difference between a regular dog brush and a shedding bush A regular dog brush smoothes the surface of your dog’s fur as well as removes loose debris and hair on the outer coat, according to Megan Conrad, a...
Skip the Processing, Feed Your Pets a Living Food Nutrient-Rich Diet
Like most humans, pets often lack essential nutrients in their foods. Each year, hundreds of dollars are spent on expensive processed foods that are filled with preservatives and nutrient replacers. Why not provide your pets with the high-quality living food they deserve? Supplement your pet’s regular food regimen with healthy, nutrient-dense grass and sprouts or microgreens. Your cats, dogs and birds will love you for it! Living Foods Encourage Healthy Body Function in Animals What are living foods? They are foods containing living...
Top Animal Rescue Organizations
Animal rescue nonprofit organizations share the common goal of finding forever homes for every dog irrespective of age, breed or coat color. Whether you’re looking to adopt, foster or maybe you’re looking to make a financial donation without bringing a pet into your home, do your homework by visiting dog rescue websites as they have all the information you’ll need. Both the nonprofit animal adoption and fostering processes rely on asking and answering lots of questions to ensure potential pet parents can not only offer a...
Couple Adopts and Spoils Two ‘Wobbly’ Cats with Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Gulliver and Twerk are a little wobbly, a little clumsy, and a whole lot of personality. The two cats were brought to Dumb Friends League, a Denver-based shelter, and upon intake, one of the employees thought they were acting weird. That’s when another employee, Brooklyn Nielsen, had a look and was pretty sure she knew what was going on. PHOTO: BROOKLYN NIELSEN Nielsen says, “I went down there and I was like, ‘I think these cats have CH.’ So the vet upstairs looked at them and they needed to go to a foster home right...
Peppy Cat Believes its Her Job to Cheer Her Family Up
This story is a finalist in the Fur-Ever Family Photo & Story Contest. Voting runs through December 31. Three grand prize winners will each receive $500 in cash and $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. See all the entrants and finalists here! We rescued Chloe from the Elmore SPCA in 2012 and she joined our other cat Matty. Chloe was full of energy and made every day a new experience. She had her own special personality and was quite independent. PHOTO: DEBBIE RHEOME In 2019, Matty died and it was devastating to the...
Tips for Responsibly Giving Rescue Pets as Gifts According to a Pro
Do you know someone who would like to welcome a pet into their home? Maybe you’re thinking about gifting them one for Christmas. In a recent article in People, Deb Fair, the executive director of the PEDIGREE Foundation, offered her advice on the most responsible way to gift a rescue pet this holiday season. Gifting Rescue Pets for the Right Reason First off, before we get into her advice, be sure they really want one and you’re not considering it because you feel they want or need one. An animal is not a toy or a gizmo you...
Man Makes Short but Sweet YouTube Video Featuring a List of His Dog’s Favorite Things
A man named Scott, who started a YouTube channel called biggietheshepherd, has created a short featuring his dog Biggie’s favorite things, and it couldn’t be more fun. Biggie came into Scott’s life unexpectedly, and they’ve been best buds ever since, with Scott saying he’d never experienced a bond with a dog like this before Biggie came along. Photo: YouTube/@biggietheshepherd6642 Biggie’s Favorite Things Set to the Austin Powers’ theme music, aka Quincy Jones & His Orchestra’s Soul Bossa...
Tinsel Accounts for More Veterinarian Visits During the Holidays than Almost Any Other Reason
You’ve likely already read a number of articles on tips for keeping pets safe at Christmas, but did you know strings of tinsel ingested by cats and small dogs account for more veterinarian visits at the holidays than almost any other reason? Yes, tinsel, a holiday favorite for decorating Christmas trees everywhere. The reason it’s so harmful is that it can cause bowel obstruction in pets, and cats are particularly fond of it. Photo: Pixabay/suju-foto Cats and Tinsel According to the Pet Poison Helpline, tinsel is a common cause of...
Hundreds of At-Risk Shelter Pets Boarded Flights for a Second Chance in 2022
As 2022 comes to an end, we wanted to look back at the year and share how your support has helped fly over 900 at-risk shelter pets to loving homes on Flights to Freedom. This year has been tough for animal shelters that have seen an increase in surrendered dogs and strays and a decrease in adopters. It has been especially hard for large dogs who are often seen as more work. Every month, along with our partner Greater Good Charities, we take dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the South and fly them to shelters with open kennels and...
The Best Christmas Dog Treats
Your dog is most likely enjoying her Christmas treats as much as you enjoy yours! We share a few of our favorite Christmas dog treat recipes and some dog lovers baking gear to kick start your baking. Do you have a dog treat recipe you’d like to share? Comment with your favorite Christmas or holiday dog treat recipes for us — and our pups — to try. Dogster’s favorite Christmas dog treats Peanut Butter Bites Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil ¼ cup all-natural smooth peanut butter, no...
Gold Medal Winner, Luke, is a Work in Progress While He Awaits His Forever Home
There is no rhyme or reason why some dogs end up in shelters and rescues. We just have to accept the fact that it happens and pray that they find forever homes sooner rather than later. But part of the problem is that a lot of folks don’t take into consideration the fit of the animal they’re bringing home. And by fit, we mean does the breed’s temperament and needs match your own? Are they a good fit for you and your lifestyle? Chocolate Lab Enter Luke, aka Chocolate Chip, who is looking for his forever home. He’s a...
