Starving, Tick-Riddled Miniature Pinscher Rescued After Being Abandoned in the Woods
The following story is a finalist in the Rescue to Royalty Challenge. Three grand prize winners will receive a $250 shopping spree, while a shelter of their choosing will be awarded $2,000 in cash and needed supplies! You can vote for your favorite story here through May 8! Legacy is a young adult miniature pinscher who was found abandoned in the woods in rural Wolcott, Connecticut. At about 6 pounds, her ribcage was prominent, and she was starving. After she was spotted in the woods, it took the local animal control officer a few attempts...
Luxury Handbag Designer Sent to Prison in Wildlife Smuggling Scandal
Celebrity handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez, renowned for her luxury accessories crafted from exotic animal skins, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Her case highlights a significant clash between high fashion and wildlife conservation. Photo: PexelsNancy Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling handbags made from protected animal skins. Unveiling the Scheme Gonzalez, the 71-year-old founder of Gzuniga Ltd., faced charges for smuggling handbags made from the skins of protected species like caiman and python. These...
Emotional Photo Series Shows Owners’ Grief As Pets Are Euthanized
This series of pictures may be hard to get through. The heartbreaking “Last Moments” series was created by photographer Ross Taylor. Taylor was “profoundly moved” when a close friend of his struggled with the death of her pet, and the idea for the series was born. Each photo shows the loving bond between pet and owner, and is taken at the end of the pet’s life, either before or after the pet was euthanized at home. All of the photos were taken throughout 2017 and 2018 around Tampa Bay, Florida. An at-home pet...
10 Best Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
When taking your pup for a walk, you need to bring bags along to clean up after them, but in a world overflowing with one-time-use plastics, the last thing you want to do is add to the problem. However, you also don’t want an eco-friendly bag that doesn’t get the job done or tears when you’re using it. One time that happens is one time too many, which is why we took the time to track down and review 10 of the best biodegradable dog poop bags on the market today! A Quick Look at Our Favorites (2024 Update) The 10 Best...
Children in Haiti Need Your Help to Stay Fed During National Crisis
The situation in Haiti has been bad and growing ever worse for a few years now, but the world has just recently sat up and taken notice. Now is the time to act. In an era of civil unrest and food uncertainty, you could be the person who ensures that a child gets to eat at least one meal a day. As most of us have heard from the news, gangs are wreaking havoc in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the surrounding areas. Their violent crimes have left people fearful, hunkered down in their houses or homeless on the streets and in shelters. Many are only...
Heartfelt Farewell: Dying Woman’s Parrot Leaves Lasting Message
This story originally appeared at American Web Media. Everybody knows that parrots love to talk. But did you know that they’re also emotional creatures? BirdSupplies.com describes parrots as “almost human-like” in their emotions, while the video captures a heartwarming scene between a woman and her bird. An African gray parrot named Sinbad has spent the past 25 years chatting and snuggling by his owner’s side. They’ve presumably had lots of great chats during this time and clearly enjoy a very close bond....
Implementing a simple exercise can do wonders for barking shelter dogs
It’s the final Maddie’s® Insights for the spring! Join us on Thursday, May 9th at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET for Impact of Classical Counterconditioning (Quiet Kennel Exercise) on Barking in Shelter Dogs with Sara Bennett DVM, MS, DACVB and Jamirelis Carrero, DVM candidate. A major welfare concern in animal shelters is excessive barking from kenneled dogs. This contributes to noise pollution, can cause hearing damage, and has a negative impact on all animals within earshot. This study demonstrated that by implementing a simple...
Dog Kept in a Crate Most of Her Life By a Breeder Slowly Learns to Trust
The following story is a finalist in the Rescue to Royalty Challenge. Three grand prize winners will receive a $250 shopping spree, while a shelter of their choosing will be awarded $2,000 in cash and needed supplies! You can vote for your favorite story here through May 8! Petra was born in Serbia. She came from a strong Eastern European Malinois line. She was purchased by a breeder, and then brought to the USA before I met her. She was crated most of her life and bred too early and too often. She exhibited clear and multiple signs of...
‘Fairy Tale’ Ends With Neglected, Bonded Airdale Duo Finding Their Happily Ever After
The following story is a finalist in the Rescue to Royalty Challenge. Three grand prize winners will receive a $250 shopping spree, while a shelter of their choosing will be awarded $2,000 in cash and needed supplies! You can vote for your favorite story here through May 8! Airedales are known as “King of the Terriers,” so it is fitting that our rescue story happens to be a bit of a Royal Airedale fairy tale. Read on, and I’ll introduce you to our heroes and heroines and two dales’ amazing transformation. January in...
Koalas Left Slaughtered After Reckless Logging on Kangaroo Island
In the picturesque landscape of Kangaroo Island, a critical situation unfolds as logging operations inflict severe injuries and death on the resident koala population. This distressing issue stems from the actions of the Australian Agribusiness Group, which manages extensive blue gum plantations on the island. As trees fall, the koalas, iconic symbols of Australia’s unique wildlife, are met with absolute horror. The future of this species is now in question, as calls for environmental stewardship and animal welfare reform mount around...
Introducing the Dogsters: Allison and Jelly, Lorraina & Manic, Her Mixed Breed Dogs From Thailand
Hi! My name is Allison Dorsey, and I am a proud dog mom of three: Jelly, Lorraina, and Manic. All of them are mixed breeds, so I often like to think about what kind of mix they are based on physical features and personality. Note: None of the mixes are scientifically accurate or even possible; it is just a fun game I play in my head. Jelly might be a blend of a small Thai Rhodesian Ridgeback and an elderly white-tailed doe. Lorraina could be a mix between a Jack Russel Terrier and a mongoose. Manic, well, he could be a German...
Natural Calming for Anxious Dogs
If your dog suffers from anxiety, you’re not alone. A recent Finnish study revealed that more than 72% of dogs had at least one anxiety-related behavior.* According to the study, which involved almost 14,000 dogs, everything from noise sensitivity and other dogs to strangers and new situations had the capacity to put dogs into fight or flight mode. If any of this sounds familiar, you have no doubt witnessed the havoc canine anxiety can wreak on your household (new furniture, anyone?). But even that pales in comparison to the pain and...
Shelter Cat is Persistent with Woman, She Later Learns He Has the Same Name As Her Beloved Uncle
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! Three generations of women were living together in one house: my mother, my daughter and myself. We had a cat named Henry, who my brother had adopted and named after our maternal grandfather. He became ours when my brother relocated. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / Светлана Бердник Henry got very ill and had...
Pig Farm Horror Revealed — Starving Animals Turn Cannibal
Recent investigations into Cross Farm, a pig farming operation in Devon, UK, reveal a distressing picture of animal suffering that starkly contrasts with the nation’s high animal welfare standards. The situation at Cross Farm has triggered urgent calls for reform and highlighted the need for stringent enforcement of animal welfare laws. Photo: PexelsPigs at Cross Farm were recorded enduring cannibalism and severe malnourishment. Chronic Neglect and Abuse at Cross Farm Undercover footage obtained by Glass Wall Films exposed severe...
Heartless Act: Woman Abandons Senior Dog at Park, Faces Prosecution
Henry is a 13-year-old lab whose lived with his owner since he was a puppy. But this didn’t keep stop Henry’s owner from dumping this very good boy at city park in Vancouver, Washington, and – as her senior dog sadly looked on – jumping into her car and driving away. Fortunately, this heartbreaking scene was captured on a neighbor’s surveillance camera, which prompted these good Samaritans to call the police. Meanwhile, the dog, who patiently waited for his owner to return, was surrendered to a local animal...
What This Bereaved Dog Carries Through the Streets Will Melt Your Heart
Life as a stray dog can be incredibly difficult. Stray dogs are often forced to scavenge for food and water, which can be a daily struggle. They may be constantly on the move, searching for shelter and safety from the elements, other animals, and even humans. Stray dogs are also at a greater risk of disease, injury, and abuse, as they lack the protection and care that comes with a stable home environment. While some strays manage to survive on the streets, for many stray dogs, life is a constant struggle. Photo: Pexels/Gomez Daniel One poor...
Bumblebee Queens Defy Odds, Living Underwater for a Week
Scientists have recently uncovered an extraordinary ability of the common eastern bumblebee queens: surviving underwater for up to a week during their hibernation period. This finding not only broadens our understanding of bumblebee resilience but also hints at their potential adaptability to the increasing threats of climate change. Photo: PexelsResearchers discovered that hibernating queen bumblebees can survive underwater for up to a week. Accidental Discovery Leads to Significant Insights The discovery occurred unexpectedly when...
How a Dyed Pink Pigeon Found Hope and Redemption on the Streets
A pigeon has been rescued after he was used for entertainment and thrown onto the streets when no longer needed. A Good Samaritan, who just happened to be a bird lover, spotted the pink-colored pigeon wondering around Manhattan’s Madison Square Park. They brought the king pigeon, a domestic breed, to the Wild Bird Fund, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education center. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Staff named the pigeon Flamingo, and said he was in bad shape, showing signs of long-term malnutrition. They suspect someone had...
Endangered and Elusive Allegheny Woodrat Captured on Camera in Remarkable Sighting
The rarely seen Allegheny woodrat has made a surprising appearance in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. This species, often mistaken for a large rat due to its size, is actually more akin to a mouse and has been classified as a “species of concern” by the National Parks Service (NPS). Photo: PexelsThe Allegheny woodrat was recently spotted in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. Discovery in Natural Habitat The Allegheny woodrat, which measures approximately the size of a squirrel, is known to...
Tips From a Vet for Dealing with Minor Medical Emergencies at Home
No pet parent wants to think about their fur baby getting hurt, but it’s still important to be prepared and know what to do in an emergency. Here are some pro tips from a veterinarian to help you deal with minor medical emergencies at home. Pet parents should prepare for minor medical emergencies that may arise with their furry companions. While some situations require immediate veterinary attention, there are several steps you can take at home to address minor issues and provide comfort to both you and your companion animal before...