17 national organizations come together for the We Foster Challenge
When 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) national animal welfare organizations from around the country come together for one single challenge, you know it’s an important one! That’s the case with the We Foster Challenge, a challenge that is all about being inclusive and utilizing foster care to help keep more people and pets together. Because by fostering pets, we also foster community, foster inclusivity and foster love. This exciting Challenge is funded by Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Maddie’s...
Dog’s Owners Didn’t Want Her Anymore So They Left Her To Roam The Streets
Roxy was found in a dangerous settlement in De Doorns, South Africa by a young girl who was worried for the pup’s safety. The girl contacted Sidewalk Specials for help, who later found out that Roxy’s owners didn’t want her anymore, so they had given her away to a group of local youths. Photo: YouTube/Sidewalk Specials Unfortunately, the group of kids were not taking care of Roxy and she ended up neglected and ignored. She was without a home and became very emaciated with mange. Luckily, Sidewalk Specials intervened and...
Study Finds That Long-Term Pet Owners Have Better Brain Health
Sharing your life with a furry friend helps you stay active physically, since you take them for walks or play with them in the home. The fitness benefits don’t just end there. A new study finds that regularly having a pet may also help your brain stay fit. Researchers from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recently looked at the impact of pet ownership on cognitive function. In a study involving more than 1,300 people, they found that those who owned a cat, dog, or other pet experienced slower cognitive decline that those who did...
Surrounded By Love, Newborn Kitten Survives Leg Amputation
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! There was a knock on the door; it was my neighbor’s son. He had a box with a tiny kitten he found in the storm ditch across from their house. “Take it to Miss Loren. She’ll help that baby.” Eyes barely open, and a gravely injured front leg, so bad maggots had set in. CAT. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / WIRESTOCK I called my vet, and he met me at his office. The leg would...
Massachusetts Firefighters Rush Into Icy Pond To Rescue Man’s Best Friend, Sadie
Joel Culley was out for a walk in Ames Nowell State Park with his beloved dog, Sadie, when she suddenly took off after swans. Distracted by the birds, Sadie ran onto the icy pond and fell into the freezing water. Her dad immediately called Abington Fire Department for help. Firefighters arrived and were able to safely rescue Sadie from the frigid pond. Photo: Abington Fire Department The fire department posted the rescue story on Facebook and wrote, “The owner and happy companion were reunited to spend the remainder of the day together...
Overcrowded Florida Animal Shelter Needs Help Finding Homes For 70+ Dogs They Took In Over The Weekend
Santa Rosa County Animal Services was at max capacity when they received a call for help, but that didn’t stop them from taking in over 70 dogs from an overwhelmed citizen. Low adoption rates and a continual flow of intakes and strays has the no-kill shelter operating at full capacity. However, they are “thankful” they were called in to help and are determined to find the perfect home for each dog. Rescuing animals is a team effort and they now need the help of the community and other rescues. The large intake from a home in...
What’s New With DNA
Dog DNA testing kits are designed for dog owners to be able to painlessly collect samples from their dog at home, mail the sample back to the lab to be analyzed and get results sent back. However, DNA tests aren’t just about finding out what breeds your dog is mixed with anymore, but now help provide important information about your dog’s health. Let’s take a look at today’s DNA kits. How it works Most dog DNA kits send dog owners a swab that’s put into the dog’s mouth and rubbed on the inside of the...
Kitten Rescued From Back of a Garbage Truck
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! My hubby drives a garbage truck. I got a call one afternoon. He says, “I saw something, and it jumped out of the back of my truck.” A few minutes later, I get another call. “Honey, it’s a tiny kitten. She can barely hold her head up. I can’t get her to drink much water. I’m right around the corner, would you like to try to save her?” KITTEN....
Iceland On The Verge Of Ending Whale Hunting In 2024
For decades, animal welfare organizations have been pushing for an end to whaling. The cruel and outdated practice still occurs in three countries: Iceland, Norway, and Japan. But there may be a glimmer of hope for the majestic whales in Iceland. Iceland’s fisheries minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, said whaling is no longer profitable and is considering ending whaling in 2024. Svavarsdottir told the Icelandic newspaper, Morgunbladid, “Why should Iceland take the risk of keeping up whaling, which has not brought any economic gain,...
Remembering a beloved colleague and friend
Lynn Spivak, a longtime animal welfare advocate and beloved former Maddie’s Fund® Communications Director, passed away on January 8. She was 74. A prolific writer, Spivak was best known for her dedication to publishing daily stories about the pets she tried to help, first at San Francisco’s SPCA and then at Maddie’s Fund. For decades, her colorful dispatches led to ample publicity for pets in need, promoting the cause of animal welfare in innovative ways. That was especially true during her 14...
Reward Offered To Find Cruel Person Who Tied Chihuahua In Multiple Bags And Left Her To Die Along Railroad Tracks
A man walking his dog along the railroad tracks in Vineland, New Jersey, inspected a green shopping bag his dog was sniffing and was shocked when he saw it move. He immediately brought the bundle of bags to South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter (SJRAS). Shelter workers cut open the shopping bags that were tied tightly around a duffel bag. They unzipped the urine-soaked duffel bag and found a young female Chihuahua shaking with fear. Screenshot: Facebook/South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter The traumatized dog jumped out of the bag and seemed...
Pet food homework: 3 steps to a better bowl
From counting carbs to doing the “adulteration math”, completing your pet food homework helps you select the best food for a “forever dog”. When Susan completed our Pet Food Homework to learn what she was truly feeding her dog, the results stunned her. Like thousands of others, she had no idea the extent to which her chosen brands delivered biologically inappropriate and overly processed grub that could cut her dog’s life short. It’s important to have complete clarity about your dog’s current food....
10 Dog Breeds That Get Along Well with Cats
There are cat people and there are dog people. Then there are folks who love them both equally. If you’re in that last camp, you may be wondering which dog breed is least apt to make your pets, well, fight like cats and dogs. Here are a few breeds that tend to fit the bill. Basset Hound PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / BODZA2 Basset hounds are known for being friendly with the whole family, kids and pets included. Their easy-going and calm nature means the presence of a feline won’t ruffle their feathers too much. The only snag in the plan...
Shelter “Velcro” Dog Looking For Someone Who Will Stick Around
Green Bean, affectionately called “Lil’ Bean”, at Kentucky Humane Society is described as a “velcro” dog, which pretty much means he never wants to leave your side. But who wouldn’t want this handsome fella by their side forever? Photo: Facebook/Kentucky Humane Society The 7-month-old puppy was transported from a rural shelter and is a little shy due to all the changes. The shelter wrote, “Our best guess for a breed is a Hound of some sort mixed with an American Pit Bull Terrier? Honestly we have no...
10 Superfoods For Dogs
Superfoods are foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They help boost the immune system and fight against diseases. The nutrient-rich foods are not only good for humans, but several are beneficial for dogs as well. However, you should always consult a veterinarian before making any changes to your pup’s diet. The best way to keep your dog happy and healthy is by feeding a high-quality pet food and balanced diet. But who doesn’t love a fresh and tasty treat? Read on to learn about 10 superfoods that are...
Making Dog Pee & Poop Green
I’m betting that many of you don’t spend a lot of time analyzing the environmental impact of your dog’s poop deposits during a walk. You pull out a plastic bag, scoop up the stinky deposit and plop it in the nearest trash can. You feel good that you didn’t leave your dog’s doo-doo on a neighbor’s yard or on the edge of a hiking trail. But did you know that dog poop and pee are causing major threats to our ecosystem? Fortunately, there is a growing movement aimed at changing how we dispose of these canine...
Family Reunited With Missing Cat After She Interrupts Soccer Game On Live TV
When Alison Jubb lost her beloved cat Topsey in mid-2021, she worked tirelessly to find her. She put out calls on social media, put up posters, and held out hope. But time passed slowly, and Topsey didn’t show up. It was as if she’d simply disappeared. Then, one day, Topsey reappeared — on live television! Cat on the pitch 😺 There was a feline pitch invader in the 94th minute on Sheffield Wednesday vs Wigan last night 😊pic.twitter.com/DgJCVOAKuH — Sky Sports (@SkySports) February 9, 2022 “My...
Watch This Dog Reunite With Her Owner After One Week In Montana Winter Alone
It was the week before Christmas, and rancher Roger Jacobs of Shepherd, Montana was looking forward to a cozy holiday with his family, including his seven-year-old hunting dog, Salty. But when he accidentally left the gate to his property ajar, it didn’t take long for Salty to plunge into the freezing Montana countryside and disappear. Jacobs blew his whistle and called for her, but when she didn’t come back, he feared for the worst. Photo: Pixabay/SabrinaSchleifer Temperatures that night were well below zero, but Jacobs and his...
Study Finds More Than 80% Of Americans Fell In Love “At First Sight” With Their Dog
When my fiancée and I stopped by the shelter to pick up our first pup together, we waited anxiously in the lobby while our dog was brought to see us. We were wary about finding a good fit, but all of those concerns melted away the second we saw our dog and held him. Turns out, we aren’t alone. 82% of Americans describe the moment they chose their dog as “love at first sight,” according to a new poll. Photo: Pixabay/lokalsportessen The poll of 400 adults, commissioned by luxury dog grooming product company Rowan, had a...
Cat’s Custom Aquarium Lets Him See The Fish Face To Face
For one family’s curious cat, the aquarium and beautiful fish within that sat in a well-lit corner of the house was just too entrancing to ignore. The cat, named Jasper, would sit for hours and watch the fish float by — but he wanted more! Inspired by other cat-friendly furniture that they had seen online, the family decided to give him something much better than a front-row seat. PHOTO: MAXPIXEL Designed and built by Cincinnati-based aquarium supply store Aquatics and Exotics, the custom aquarium has a small square indentation at...
