Community Works Together To Free An Alaskan Humpback Whale Entangled In Fishing Gear
If you’ve never had the opportunity to see humpback whales in Alaska, it really is worth putting on your bucket list. Those beautiful creatures are both graceful and powerful in ways that are unique to their species. Perhaps that is why the townspeople in Tenakee Springs, Alaska, pulled together to help a whale when they heard it asking for help. That cry for help was described as a “sad and mournful and awful sound,” according to Alaska Public Media, and they were quick to respond. When they looked for the cry they were...
Missouri’s Unanimous Vote To Allow Trophy Hunters To Kill Black Bears, Including Cubs, Has People Outraged
The four-member Missouri Department of Conservation Commission had the opportunity to preserve black bears, who are finally returning to the state, but instead voted unanimously to allow trophy hunters to kill them. This decision was not supported by most Missourians, with over 2,000 speaking out before the vote. Another 14,000 people signed a petition saying they would boycott travel to the state if the hunt was allowed. Photo: Unsplash To make matters worse, trophy hunters are allowed to kill cubs unaccompanied by their mothers. “A...
What if we called Return to Owner something else?
On a recent Community Conversations call, Return to Owner (RTO) expert, Gina Knepp, posed the question, “What if we call RTO something else?” When we make changes to the names of our organizations and programs, or shift the language that we use in messaging, there can be a transformational effect. By simply changing our own terminology, there is a potential impact on how we and our community view a topic such as Return to Owner. It’s the same reason we recommend changing a pet’s name and their...
Dog Rescued at Under Four Pounds Recuperates and is Now Thriving in New Home
This story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Gizzy was rescued by New Hope Animal Rescue in March of 2020. When I first saw her on Facebook, my heart went out to her. I decided to foster her first before I adopted her. When I took Gizzy to see my veterinarian, she was severely emaciated,...
Shelter Dog Finally Adopted After Being Passed Up for More Than a Year
This story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! 402 days. So much happens in the span of 402 days, even in the most ordinary of times. The intensity of the sun changes, winds blow, milestones are reached. Relationships begin, relationships end, birthdays are celebrated. Time passes. While the...
Why Is My Dog So Itchy?
Are you and your dog suffering from sleepless nights due to your dog’s compulsive itching and scratching? If so, you’re not alone. Pruritus, the medical term for excessive itching, is one of the most common reasons dog owners seek veterinary care. Dogs scratch themselves for numerous reasons and not all are cause for concern. However, there are certain signs that indicate there could be a problem. Signs of skin disorders Red inflamed skinHair lossDandruffy skinScabsOpen wounds from self mutilationHot Spots If your dog is suffering...
Puppy Struck By Car And Shot Numerous Times With Shotgun Finds Forever Home
All dogs should be showered with love and cherished, but sadly this was not the case for a puppy in San Antonio, Texas. Instead of playing with toys and exploring the world, Tammi, a 8-month-old retriever, was subjected to extreme violence and abuse. She arrived at San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) in pain and in desperate need of help. Photo: Facebook/San Antonio Humane Society Her sad eyes gave a glimpse into the pain she endured at the hands of cruel individuals, but she didn’t allow it to break her sweet spirit. She was obviously...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster to adopt programs, monthly data collection and more!
Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Why these Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipients implemented a foster to adopt programWhen some of our Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipients saw how many foster families ended up adopting their foster pets, it sparked them to revisit a concept that they hadn’t previously considered – a foster to adopt program. “We typically just wanted to adopt straight out of the shelter,” said Kelly Mitchell, Senior Director...
Cat Who Spent More Than 24 Hours in a Sewer is Saved in Nail-Biting Rescue
This story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Today Deidre is safe and loved. She claimed the heart of the wonderful family that reached out to us to save her and this story turned out to be the happiest adoption ever! Deidre had fallen into a sewer and was fighting for her life for over 24...
Dog Rescued By Shelter Becomes Best Friends with His Forever Family’s Special Needs Son
Nova’s story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Nova won the Runner-up Prize of $1,500 in cash and pet supplies for Dallas Animal Services! Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Nova came to Dallas Animal Services (DAS) as a stray suffering from significant facial swelling, likely caused by a snake bite or some other sort of...
How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?
When people get itchy, they often reach for Benadryl, which can relieve itching, rashes, inflammation, vomiting, and nausea. The medicine’s all-purpose effects often leave pet owners wondering if they can give dogs Benadryl to help sooth their dog’s itchy skin, too. Benadryl for dogs If you’ve ever taken an itchy dog to the vet, your veterinarian may have given your dog Benadryl. This all-purpose histamine treatment (which is also known by its active ingredient, Diphenhydramine) is often used to relieve itchy dogs suffering...
Cat Severely Injured By Car Serpentine Belt Survives and Thrives Despite Lifelong Disabilities
Ginny’s story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Ginny won the Runner-up Prize of $1,500 in cash and pet supplies for Cheyenne Animal Shelter! Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Ginny was presented to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter on an emergency basis on January 11th, 2020. The patron reported that he had started his car...
After Her and Her Puppies Were Found Living Under a Shed, Elsa Was Adopted By Her ‘Soulmate’
This story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! June 5, 2017 was one of my best and most memorable days ever. It was a beautiful spring day; the sun was shining, and the air was crisp. It was also the day that I brought home my soulmate, Elsa. Part One: The Rescue Let me rewind a bit –...
Rabbit with Special Health Care Needs Escapes Life in a Cage for Life with a Loving Family
Stella’s story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Stella won the Runner-up Prize of $1,500 in cash and pet supplies for Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center! Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! PHOTO: EASTERN SHORE RABBIT RESCUE AND EDUCATION CENTER Stella (formerly Charlize), a 3-year-old Holland Lop, was...
Loveable Rescue Pittie Survives Bullet Wounds, Brings Joy and Smiles Wherever He Goes
This story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! From Rough Seas to Smooth Sailing: Meet Captain Captain is a Pitbull who captured the hearts of everyone at the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC). He was transferred to us from a local shelter nearby. Right away, our medical team could tell...
Ricky Gervais Welcomes Foster Cat Into Home, But A Few Days Later Decides To Keep Her
Ricky Gervais is a renowned English actor, comedian, and a longtime animal lover and activist. He and partner, Jane Fallon, recently lost their beloved feline Ollie. They were devastated but knew they had to help another cat in need and decided to foster. However, the little kitten quickly won their hearts. The kitten was rescued from a bad situation and leery of people. She spent the first two days in her new foster home hiding behind the couch. But the following day she was affectionate and hopped right into Gervais’ lap and stared...
Pitbull with Chronic Health Issues Goes Through Several Owners Before Finding His Person
Papi’s story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Papi won the Runner-up Prize of $1,500 in cash and pet supplies for City of Tracy Animal Services! Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Tracy Animal Services first met Papi in 2018. He had escaped his yard and was found by a citizen, who then brought him to our shelter. Papi...
Rescue Dog with Skin Infection and Sepsis is Adopted and Grows a Beautiful Coat
Gracie’s story was originally shared in the Clear the Shelters Adoption Story Challenge on ShelterChallenge.com. Gracie won the Runner-up Price of $1,500 in cash and pet supplies for Gulf Coast Humane Society! Create your own free Shelter Challenge account and vote for your favorite shelter or rescue group to win cash and prizes. Every time you vote we’ll give an extra donation to shelters! Glacier, now Gracie, came into Gulf Coast Humane Society in dire straits, after being picked up on a desolated Central Florida road....
Diabetes Alert Dog Awarded First-Ever Honorary “Dog-gree”
When the University of West Georgia held its commencement ceremony this year, Maggie Leptrone received a bachelor’s degree from the Tanner Health System School of Nursing. Her Labradoodle Mona was right by her side, awarded the school’s first-ever honorary “dog-gree” for dutifully assisting Leptrone as she completed her program. Leptrone was diagnosed with Type I diabetes as a child, People reports. As a diabetic alert dog Mona is trained to recognize fluctuations in Leptrone’s blood sugar with her nose. If...
Dog Who Survived Alligator Attack Is Helping Children In Florida Learn About Safety
Not too long ago, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy Gunner was facing death in the jaws of a hungry alligator. Were it not for his cigar-chomping human strong arming the gator into submission, Gunner’s story would have ended there. As millions who saw the viral rescue video already know, Gunner survived. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office saw the video, too, and commended the 4-month-old puppy for his tenacity and fight for survival.” The department has since made Gunner part of the Deputy Dogs, Pets on Patrol program....
