Today is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day!
This year has been a year unlike any other with historic levels of foster and adoptions from shelters. Our animals, whether permanent residents or just passing through as foster pets, have served as plus ones to Zoom happy hours, provided much needed companionship and entertainment in this unusual year. Let’s honor our pets with Celebrate Shelter Pets Day! What do they love to do? What is your favorite thing about them? What is the funniest thing they do? Shout it from the rooftops! Shelter Pet Project has created these beautiful...
Woman Adopts A Dog To Save Him From China’s Dog Meat Trade. Then She Goes Back To Rescue The Whole Pound
When Jill Stewart decided to adopt a Golden Retriever, she did it to save a disabled dog from China’s dog meat trade. But when the North Carolinian flew to Shanghai to meet her new pup, she learned more about the grisly fates awaiting dogs in China, where canines are routinely maimed, beaten, and killed in markets, restaurants, and slaughterhouses operating under the belief that torture yields the best meat. “At that point, I said, you know, I just don’t really want to stop there,” said Stewart, who partnered with her...
After Defusing Explosives Left Him Shaken, Navy Veteran Finds A Comforting Friend In Rescue Dog
Navy veteran Damian served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years as a Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. He made the decision to enlist after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Damian was deployed to Afghanistan three times, and returned home alive. But, like many of his brothers and sisters in arms, he returned with scars. Years of disarming and handling deadly explosives took a toll on the sailor’s mental health. Damian lives with PTSD, depression, and a traumatic brain injury, conditions which have left all too many...
Aquarium Screens Christmas Movies So Their Penguins Are Prepared For People After Lockdown
The London Aquarium is planning to reopen to the public. But before they do, they have been showing Christmas movies to their resident penguins. Because the aquarium has been closed since the 5th of November, the penguins have been devoid of human interaction. This means that the gentoo penguins of London’s aquarium have been enjoying an “enrichment process” throughout the year. As it turns out, the penguins enjoy people watching just as much as humans do! Sadly, the sporadic number of visitors have left the cute little...
Woman Bursts Into Tears When She Is Finally Reunited With Dog Who’s Been Missing For 7 Years
Animal rescues and shelters urge all pet owners to get their pets microchipped. Even if you always walk your dog on a leash and have a fenced in backyard. The little chip makes a big difference when a pet goes missing, as one San Antonio woman discovered. Microchips are implanted under the skin and are scanned by shelters when stray animals arrive. The owner’s contact information is on the chip and is an easy way to reconnect beloved pets with their families. The process is painless and saves lives. The City of San Antonio Animal Care...
Mandy Moore Is “Utterly Shattered” After Her Rescue Dog Passes Away Unexpectedly
Mandy Moore is mourning the sudden death of her almost 13-year-old rescue dog Joni. The This is Us actress took to Instagram to share the devastating news and went on to post a long, heartfelt tribute to her beloved dog. She starts by informing her millions of fans how she lost her “Joni girl.” Photo: Instagram/mandymooremm “Last night, very unexpectedly, we lost our Joni girl. Yes, she was almost 13. Yes, she had pretty major surgery a week ago to remove a mass on her liver but she was recovering really well. Until last...
Utah’s New Wildlife Overpass Is Already Keeping Migratory Wildlife Safe, Years Ahead Of Expectations
There’s a new bridge over Utah’s Interstate 80. It’s 50 feet wide and 320 feet long, covered in rocks and logs and is now gaining national attention–not because it’s a hassle for humans but because it’s incredibly useful for wildlife. Completed in 2018 by the Utah Department of Transportation, the wildlife overpass provides a safe path over a previously precarious stretch of highway. Its location was chosen as the prime spot to accommodate migratory populations. Recent video evidence shows that the UDOT...
Navigate Maddie’s Pet Forum with this handy tutorial
Maddie’s Pet Forum looks a little different since we refreshed it a few months ago. While we hope it’s been smooth sailing to you, we created a video to help answer any questions you might have. This forum is a free, online community for staff and volunteers at shelters, rescues and related animal welfare organizations, to collaborate and connect, with the shared goal of increasing our animal welfare. We created a short video that focuses on the desktop navigation of Maddie’s Pet Forum. Learn how to personalize your...
Teen with Tourette’s and His Rescue Dog Find Community on TikTok
When Shane Koch was only 8 years old, he was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. He suffers from verbal and physical tics that are out of his control. In an interview with NBC LX, Shane admitted, “The worst part about Tourette’s is bullies and school.” All his life, Shane can recall being bullied by both classmates and teachers, and struggled with being treated fairly. But then, in December of 2019, Shane decided to rescue a puppy from a shelter, and both of their worlds changed forever. When Shane took a trip to the...
Clever Golden Retriever Pulls Trick On Owner – Makes Him Think He Hasn’t Had His Treat
This story originally appeared at Shareably. Golden retrievers are easily one of the smartest dog breeds in existence. In 1864, Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland bred a yellow retriever named Nous and a liver-colored Water Spaniel named Belle. The result of their offspring is what we’ve come to know today as the Golden Retriever! These lovable creatures rank in the top ten most popular dog breeds in the United States, even climbing up to top 3 out of 195. Their puppy attitude follows them into adulthood and they never quite lose...
Brave Woman Wrestles Python With Bare Hands To Save Puppy
There is nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her child, including risking her life to save theirs. Michelle van Schouwen from Queensland didn’t think twice about wrestling a python that had a death grip on her nine-week-old puppy, Jasper. The wolfhound-cross puppy went in the backyard to use the bathroom when Michelle heard him cry out. Screenshots: YouTube/Wolf Hope She rushed out to see a carpet python choking the life out of her terrified puppy. Video footage showed the snake hiding in a nearby bush and then striking Jasper as he...
Here’s How Your Donations Helped A Struggling Animal Shelter Rebuild After Hurricane Delta
After Hurricane Delta blew through Louisiana, the Acadiana Animal Aid facility in New Orleans was left significantly damaged. The shelter’s transport and quarantine kennels were completely destroyed, and the walls of the cat cottage and roof of the shelter’s barn were starting to fall. AAA had weathered Hurricane Laura in August, and was in the process of helping animals displaced by that disaster when Delta came back even stronger. “At first we were trying to help these other communities, and then we needed to help...
Endangered Sea Turtles Stranded By ‘Cold Stunning’ On Cape Cod
A few dozen Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles found stranded on Cape Cod are going to be spending the holiday season in warmer climes. As CNN reports, 40 turtles washed up on New England beaches, suffering from “cold stunning” from low temperature currents in the Atlantic Ocean. They were flown from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys where they will be treated for any potential injuries and set free. Source: YouTube/South Florida ReporterKemp’s Ridley sea turtles are both the most endangered and the smallest species of sea turtles...
Fighting Monarch Caterpillars May Show Us How To Save The Species
Monarch butterflies are as beautiful as they are delicate. Before reaching that stage, however, they begin as ravenous brutes, willing to chew anything and everything in their way. Before metamorphosizing into their final form, monarch butterfly caterpillars allow absolutely nothing to get between themselves and food, not even other caterpillars. According to the New York Times, when two caterpillars find themselves fighting over the same source of food they become tiny terrors. They will attempt to bump, tackle or push the other away....
Woman Finds Deadly Snake Hiding Behind Her Toaster While She Was Making Breakfast
Coffee is usually what most people use to wake them up in the mornings. But I imagine that the adrenaline rush from finding a deadly snake would also get you over the early morning fog real quick. And that is exactly what happened for one Australian woman as she was making her morning toast. The woman who lives in Brisbane, Australia believes that the red-bellied black snake most likely slithered its way into her kitchen after she accidentally left the door open during her morning run. Fortunately for the woman, she noticed the snake’s...
Dog Found Tied To A Bench With A Heartbreaking Letter
If you cry easily like me, then you might want to grab some tissues. In Mexico City, Mexico, there was a very heartbreaking discovery made on a park bench. A very precious pup named Max was found tied to the bench beside a very, very sad note. Looking at the handwriting of the letter, it is believed to possibly have been written by a younger person. The note stated that they had no choice but to leave Max on the bench in the hopes that he would find a better life. As the note continued, the reason for leaving Max on the bench was to spare him...
Man Discovers 120-Year-Old Time Capsule With Photos Of A Little Girl’s Pets
Time capsules are an interesting thing. I remember when I was about seven years old, my school dug up a time capsule for their thirtieth anniversary. It didn’t contain much, it was just a small box with pencils and erasers from the 1960s when the school was founded. But there are some people who like to bury little time capsules in their homes as a memory for others to find in the future. These usually contain very personal items and memories that give us a glimpse into the past. Personally, I think it would be fascinating to find a...
Man Gets Fined $1000 For Killing Seagull With His Walking Stick
Seagulls. I’ve heard them described as rats with wings. And if you live in UK or Ireland, you definitely get that. Seagulls in this part of the world are vicious little bullies who will snatch food right out from under you. I’ve seen a seagull once swoop in and steal a Subway sandwich right out from someone’s hand as they were about to take a bite. Of course, this kind of annoying behavior is very common amongst seagulls. While it’s bothersome, it’s still no need to take your rage out on the birds. However, in...
They Now Make Mini Santa Hats For Smaller Animals And They’re Adorable
Christmas is fast approaching. This year, it is definitely going to be different from all those Christmases before. That’s because we’ve never celebrated under a global pandemic. Countries are all taking their different approaches as to how they’re going to be handling the global crisis. Of course, this might mean that some people will be unable to travel home because they live in different countries or because they have at-risk family who are sheltering in place at home.Because of this, holidays this year are going to be...
Man ‘Draws’ Figures With Pigeons By Strategically Feeding Them
Art takes on many forms. But who would have ever thought that art could be created with the help of some pigeons? When we think of pigeons, we probably think about those large flocks of pigeons mulling about in parks and city squares pecking at bits of food on the ground that people have dropped. Or the large swarms of pigeons that gather around someone who is brave enough to feed them. But one man has done the impossible and has actually come up with a pretty cool concept. He has harnessed the power of the pigeon’s appetite in order to...
