Take Your Walk to the Next Level
Annie Butler Shirreffs Annie Butler Shirreffs has worked in the pet industry for 20 years and is currently the senior editor of Catster and Dogster magazines. A cat lover since she was a little girl, she has always had feline friends in her life. She and her husband share their Southern California home with their four cats, Agatha, Alastair, Jack and Mathilda, and an ever-changing clowder of foster kittens, all of whom enjoy being testers for cool, new products. Source:...
Why give herbs to pets?
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...
Firefighter Adopts Dog He Saved From Fire
In late September, the Des Moines Fire department responded to an apartment fire. As crews worked to extinguish the flames, firefighters discovered a 16-month mastiff trapped in the burning apartment. According to a Facebook post shared by the department, they were able to get the dog to safety, but the smoke had already gotten to his lungs. With no other way to help, the firefighters began administering oxygen to the mastiff until animal control arrived. Photo: Pixabay/kalhh Sadly, according to the Facebook post, animal control...
Boyfriend Mad After Discovering He Shares A Name With Family Dog
When bringing a new dog into the family, it’s much like welcoming home a new baby. We usually prepare a place for the dog to eat and sleep, buy them toys, and make sure they have everything they need. Another important thing to think about is what to name the dog. While some people opt for classic dog names, like Spot, Buddy, Bandit, or Fido, others go with more human-like names. Personally, I’ve always chosen “human” names for my dogs. One of my first dogs was named Emily, and more recently I adopted an Ashley and...
“Bohemian Catsody” Turns Hit Queen Song Into Cat Parody
If you’re familiar with cats, you know they each think they’re the queen (or king) of the house. They like things the way they like them, and they don’t care what anyone thinks. It only seems fitting that if cats are going to parody something, it’s going to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time, like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by British rock band Queen. Of course, in true cat fashion, cats have to be the star of the show. Photo: Pexels/Mustafa ezz YouTuber Shirley Șerban often recreates lyrics of...
Rescuers Save Litter Of Puppies Dumped In The Garbage
A litter of tiny puppies was abandoned in a dumpster like garbage, and they would’ve died there if Danna with Rescue.Adopt.Foster hadn’t stepped in to help. Danna received a call about five puppies who were trapped in a dumpster. No one is sure who put them there, but Danna knew one thing: She wasn’t going to let them stay there and be discarded like that. After traveling to Wafra, the southernmost area in Kuwait, Danna located the dumpster and found not just five but seven tiny puppies! They’d been in the dumpster for...
Senior K-9 Proves Age Is Just A Number By Catching Wanted Man On The Run
Ruby may be almost 10 years old, but this hardworking dog doesn’t have any plans to retire. The senior K-9 and her handler were called in to catch a wanted man running from officers in Wellington, Kansas. The suspect, who was wanted on a felony arrest warrant, was trying to dodge arrest by escaping into a heavily forested area near the town lake. Photo: Facebook/Kansas Wildlife & Parks – Game Wardens K-9 Ruby and her handler, Officer Chris Stout, arrived at the scene after the man had already disappeared into the thick woods....
Stray Cat Brings Kittens Over to Friendly People Who Feed Her
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! Late summer two years ago, a black cat showed up at our house. I started putting out food and water hoping to keep it fed so it wouldn’t kill the wild birds that came to the feeder. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY/QUARK_VISUAL As cold weather approached, I made a feral cat house out of a cooler for it. It went unused. I continued to put food and water out, and the food would be gone the next...
Meet Rosalie: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s New Service Dog For Staff
A 2-year-old golden retriever named Rosalie recently joined the team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a full-time employee. Her job as a facility dog is to comfort and care for the staff. She joins two other trained service dogs, Puggle and Huckleberry, who focus on helping children and their families. All three dogs were trained at Canine Assistants and are part of St. Jude’s Paws at Play program. In 2019, the hospital started Paws At Play, a program that “aims to distract patients from their illness, symptoms,...
40 Halloween-Inspired Cat & Dog Names
Adopting a dog or cat is the best decision you will ever make. Trust me, I know. You will save a life and in return get the most loyal best friend, so it is a win-win. After selecting the perfect companion based on personality and lifestyle, you will need to pick a name. Photo: Unsplash/Brianna Santellan This can be a daunting task or one may just pop into your head. For those still deciding, people commonly name their pets after their favorite movie characters, musicians, books and holidays. But there are no rules. If Halloween is your...
What you need to know about bad breath in dogs
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...
AlignCare will help to keep more pets and people together, thanks to Maddie
Just announced last week, we’re thrilled to share that Maddie’s Fund® has granted The University of Tennessee College of Social Work Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) $3.4 million to expand AlignCare’s national reach. AlignCare is the nation’s first OneHealth healthcare system addressing the needs of people, their pets, and their ecosystem. The program’s mission is to improve access to veterinary care, especially those with limited means, while aligning other community resources for the whole family....
Here’s Why We’re Building Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters–And How You Can Help
Every year, more than 10 million women and men experience physical abuse at the hands of their partner. But half of those victims’ delay leaving abusers because of their pets, who aren’t always welcome at domestic violence shelters. According to some estimates, these numbers may even be higher. Photo: Pixabay This heartbreaking dilemma led Greater Good Charities to begin converting domestic violence shelters–only 17 percent of which already welcome dogs and cats–into safe, pet-friendly spaces that no longer force women...
Feisty, Abandoned 4-Week-Old Kitten Finds the Perfect Home
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 live in the country, where we have an old corncrib that my vet says must have a sign above the door inviting cats to come. Over the years, I have taken in several cats who have shown up there. KITTEN. PHOTO: PIXABAY/EUGENIEM In the spring of 2015, I was greeted one evening by a tiny, mewing kitten that was hunched by a folded table in the corncrib. As I got closer, he showed bravado by...
Wildflowers Are Feeding At-Risk Bees Around The Country, Thanks To You
Wildflowers provide food and habitat to countless bee species, some endangered. Sadly, they are disappearing almost as fast as the vital pollinators. But thanks in part to your generous donations, wildflowers are starting to bloom once again. The world can’t survive without bees and bees can’t survive without flowers, so GreaterGood partnered with the Bee Girl Organization and Borderlands Restoration Network to plant native wildflowers. Photo: Pixabay/Photorama The pollen-rich flowers will not only feed bees but will also feed...
Healthier harnesses are a cut above
Check out these practical “works of art” and other accessories from Puccissimé Pet Couture. A few weeks into puppy class, Alix McNeill’s trainer recommended she try a prong collar for her beagle mix, Daisy. “I was a bit shocked and heartbroken,” explains Alix. “Yes, Daisy was pulling when we walked, but there was no way I was going to use one of those devices.” Instead, Alix changed trainers, hit the internet and found a unique no-pull harness that has proved the perfect solution for...
Virginia Beach SPCA Seeks Help After Rescuing 45 Dogs From Hoarding Situation
Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (VBSPCA) posted a plea for help after taking in 45 dogs surrendered from a hoarding situation on the Eastern Shore. According to the rescue, over 100 dogs were living inside the home in deplorable conditions. “They are scared, dirty, and covered in fleas. These dogs have never been outside of that house before now,” posted VBSPCA. Screenshot: Facebook/Virginia Beach SPCA The dogs are currently being examined by a vet and most will remain in the care of the SPCA until...
Does your cat have a food allergy — or a food intolerance?
They’re not one and the same. Understanding the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance is the first step to helping your cat back to health. If your cat has a problem with a particular food, you probably assume he’s allergic to it. But that’s not necessarily the case. True food allergies are relatively uncommon. In fact, your cat may actually have what’s termed a food intolerance. Let’s take a look at food allergies and intolerances in cats, and the differences between their causes,...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: The importance of language, positive marketing webinar and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Now is the time to send an end-of-year mailer for your animal organization!This guest post is written by Caitlin Daly, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Lollypop Farm. In a recent interview, she stressed the importance of end-of-year mailer (appeals). We asked her if it was too late to send one, and while it’s cutting it close, it can be done! Below are her tips. [Note: This originally… Learn More To find adopters and...
Watch Adorable Dogs Become Ultra-Creepy While Having A Nightmare
Dogs tend to act much differently when they are asleep. Even the sweetest pup that you know will completely change its disposition when it comes time for sleep. It’s hilarious to watch, isn’t it? Our pups turn into zombies when they are asleep. We often find ourselves wondering what they are doing in their dreams because the way that they act is so funny to watch. In the majority of instances, dogs happen to be the sweet and most adorable creatures. Perhaps sleepy time is their moment to let the inner beast come out and play?...
