America’s Animal Shelters are in Crisis. 6 Things You Need to Know
Just before Christmas, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas announced they would be forced to reduce services and stop the non-emergency intake of pets through December 31. The reason? A new wave of COVID infections led to severe understaffing. There are simply not enough people to take in and care for the pets in the shelter. On top of this crisis, the shelter has been at or above capacity for months, due to sluggish adoption numbers and more pets coming into the shelter—both impacts of the pandemic. A...
Detroit Police Officers Rescue Malnourished Dog and Her Puppies From Abandoned Home
On the evening of December 26, the Detroit Police Department received a report of a “vicious dog” and went to investigate. But what they found was a malnourished pit bull who had recently given birth. Detroit Police officers, H. Kourani and G. Rogers, spotted the dog outside an abandoned home and slowly approached her. Posted by Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue on Sunday, December 26, 2021 They managed to earn her trust by feeding her tasty treats, which she quickly devoured. Once they established that they were there to help they...
Ensuring Safe Placement vs. Placing Barriers In Adoption
Have you ever rehomed or surrendered a pet? That is a question many members within an animal welfare organization will know too well. And recently we met a family that faced difficulties adopting a pet because they entered ‘YES’ as the answer to that question, without the organizations inquiring on ‘WHY’ they had to make that decision with a former pet. Well, technically there were TWO organizations that asked why they had to rehome a former pet, however the first organization that asked continued to deny the family...
Dogs Rescued From Different Situations Become BFFS In The Shelter
When two dogs from two different situations were brought together with the help of a rescue, they immediately hit things off and became good friends. It all started when Hope For Paws heard about a dog, Chester, who’d been living on the streets for at least a month. Rescuers JoAnn Wiltz and Alex Babcock immediately headed to the Southern California home that’d called them, and they were greeted by the friendly puppy! The person who’d called them said that they’d tried to take Chester in, but their other dogs...
Horse Takes Herself On Walks Through Town Every Day After Owner Passes
For 15 years, a white Arabian horse named Jenny has been taking herself for long walks through town. The mare used to enjoy the walks with her owner, Werner Weischedel, but now she walks alone. According to a post by Keith Anderson, Weischedel became unable to ride Jenny around 15 years ago but the mare didn’t want to stop her daily walks through Frankfurt, Germany. Instead of keeping her contained in a stable, Weischedel allowed Jenny to go out through the gate – and the horse walked herself along their usual route and came back...
Last Surviving Dog Rescued From Michael Vick’s Dogfighting Ring In 2007 Dies
At less than a year old, Frodo the pit bull faced a bleak future. He was one of nearly 70 dogs that were crammed into the “Bad Newz Kennels,” an illegal dogfighting ring in Virginia run by NFL superstar Michael Vick. There, dogs were forced to attack, repeatedly injuring and traumatizing each other until a federal investigation was able to not only stop the ring in its tracks but also lead to convictions against Vick and his co-defendants. Photo: Pixabay/Ria Now, nearly 15 years after that infamous bust in 2007, Frodo has passed...
Watch These Cats That Love To Stick Their Faces In Humidifier Mist
Kittens love exploring the world around them and, in spite of the popular saying, that curiosity can be a good thing! Something the internet has noticed recently is how much their cats love messing around with humidifiers — there’s something about the plume of water vapor that they find incredibly interesting. Their reactions are, of course, adorable. Photo: Max Pixel Why do cats love it so much? For one, it seems like they know just how good it is for them! “Because cats groom themselves specifically to cool their bodies, a...
“Pigcasso” Sparks Conversation On Art, Farming, And Climate Change With Unusual Paintings
Art, as they say, is subjective — its beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is its meaning! While a painting’s color or composition may catch collectors’ attention, so can its context. In the case of Pigcasso and her vibrant, strange landscapes, it looks like a case of all three! Photo: Pixabay/Yair Ventura Filho Based in Franschhoek, South Africa, Pigcasso was destined for the slaughterhouse before she was discovered by artist and activist Joanne Lefson. Lefson runs Farm Sanctuary SA, which is home to a variety of...
Is It Too Cold To Leave Your Dog Outside This Winter?
As winter temperatures descend upon us, we may find ourselves asking how our canine companions can cope with the cold. Of course, winter looks different all over the world — so, let’s look at some things to consider when bundling up your pup. Your Dog’s Behavior Does your dog seem anxious outside during cold weather? Watch for shivering and if your dog is reluctant to leave warmer areas. Similar to hot pavement, your dog may lift their paws up to avoid prolonged contact with a cold surface as well. Consider getting them...
Dog’s Owner Never Returned From The Hospital And Lives On The Streets
Hope For Paws is no stranger to helping abandoned pups, strays, and other dogs off the street. But when they received a call to help an injured dog at an apartment complex, they found an unexpectedly sad situation. A neighbor informed them that “the dog’s owner left for cancer treatment two months prior and sadly never returned.” Right then, they knew they needed to rescue this dog and find him a new forever home, to make up for the tragic loss that he had experienced but could never understand. PHOTO: YOUTUBE / HOPE FOR...
Dog Monthly and Daily Holidays
Celebrate your dog every day and every way but especially on these fun dog national holidays. Don’t see a dog holiday here? Just email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will add it to the list! JANUARY dog holidays Walk Your Pet Month Train Your Dog Month January 1: New Year’s Day January 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day FEBRUARY dog holidays ©Melissa L Kauffman Pet Dental Health Month Unchain a Dog Month Dog Training Education Month...
Dug Up at Dogster: 2022 Dog Events and Dog Holidays
Bring in the new year 2022 with these fun dog events and dog holidays. Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event. January 2022 Dog Holidays Walk Your pet month reminds us to get out and walk our dogs even if it is cold outside. ©Melissa L Kauffman Walk Your Pet Month Train Your Dog Month January 2, 2022: Pet Travel Safety Day January 14, 2022: Dress Up Your Pet Day January 24, 2022: Change a Pet’s Life Day (adoption) January 29,...
All Hail Jaqweenie!
Jaqweenie caught my eye after seeing his popular TikTok video, which showed his world being “rocked” by a cut on his foot. His human, Jean Mosher, says, “He was shaking, panting and licking his paw.” Thinking it was pretty serious, Jean rushed him to the vet but it turned out to be just a tiny cut. “Even though Jaqweenie was totally OK, I want to remind people that when in doubt, it’s really important to bring your dog to the vet. Excessive vocalizations, constant localized grooming, differences in...
Challenges, Hope, Help, and Dogs in Pajamas: These Are Our Top 10 Blogs of 2021
Our top 10 blogs of 2021 reflect both the immense and ongoing challenges of the last year, and how we’ve come together to protect and support our communities—the people and pets alike. Plus, foster dogs in pajamas. 1. Animal Shelter Workers Are Burned Out “After last year’s COVID-related lull, this summer animal shelters all over the country are full again—and it’s not just the animals who are at risk. The people whose job it is to care for the animals under these extreme conditions are suffering,...
Young Cat with FIV Rescued, Now Living it Up as Senior 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! We were staying a week at our camper, closer to the hospital where my daughter was going to give birth. Our grandson was born, and we went back to the camper that evening. A gray, matted kitty kept jumping on my lap to be petted. I’d put him down and he would jump right back up. We went to the grocery to get him food. He hung with us at our camper for the week, even answering to his...
Calf Escapes From New York Slaughterhouse And Finds Forever Home At Animal Sanctuary
A 9-month-old cow named Stacy is settling into her new home at Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue after escaping from a slaughterhouse in Queens. The 400-pound Hereford heifer was corralled with the help of NYC park rangers and NYPD Special Ops in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. “Looks like our Urban Park Rangers were in a sentimental Moo-d today,” tweeted NYC Parks. Looks like our Urban Park Rangers were in a sentimental Moo-d today. After discovering a loose cow in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Rangers managed to rescue the...
Italy Bans Fur Farming And Shuts Down Remaining Mink Farms
On December 21, the Italian Senate approved an amendment to the budget law that permanently bans fur farming and shuts down the ten remaining mink farms in Italy. The farms will be transformed into sustainable humane businesses over the next six months, according to the Humane Society International (HSI). Photo: Unsplash/Jo-Anne McArthur Italy will be the 16th country in Europe to ban fur farming, joining France who also just banned farming wild animals for their fur. Fur farming needs to be banned worldwide due to animal suffering and public...
Labrador Left To Starve In Filthy Garage Yard Makes The Most Inspiring Transformation
Looking at Anuka today, you would never know the unimaginably difficult past she had suffered through. Life has been extremely hard for the Labrador, who had been living in the yard of a filthy, dilapidated garage for several years. Photo: YouTube/Howl Of A Dog She was severely emaciated, traumatized, and terrified of people. When Howl Of A Dog rescued her and took her in, she was immediately thankful. They rushed her to the vet, where she was examined and treated for her ailments. Photo: YouTube/Howl Of A Dog When they gave her her first...
Large Asian Eagle Spends Holidays 5,000 Miles From Home
Thousands of miles from home and seemingly enjoying its stay, a giant Asian bird with a wingspan of 8 feet has been reported flying around Massachusetts. The Steller’s sea eagle is native to China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and eastern Russia. In a Facebook post, the Massachusetts’ Division of Fisheries and Wildlife said the bird was last spotted along the Taunton River, at least 5,000 miles from home. The Steller’s sea eagle is native to China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and eastern Russia. Reports of the bird...
Letter from Dr. Jefferson: Together with YOU
Dec 24, 2021 Dear Friends, As this year comes to a close, I’m in awe of the lifesaving love that you have for dogs and cats who have no other chances to survive. You made sure that pets survived a winter storm. You made sure that Austin remained the safest city in the US for pets for the 10th year in a row. You got APA! one step closer to keeping shelter pets in the heart of Austin. Most importantly, this year, you made sure that more than 12,000 pets were saved from unnecessary death in shelters. This year also marked a big shift, as a...
