Barbados Ignites Outrage as Animal Abuse Cases Surge, Demand for Law Enforcement Grows
In Barbados, the issue of animal abuse has escalated to alarming proportions. Activists and animal welfare organizations have tirelessly voiced their concerns, demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws and tougher penalties for offenders. Despite legislation like the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, enforcement remains lax and incidents of cruelty are frequently overlooked by authorities. Photo: PexelsAnimal abuse in Barbados has reached alarming levels. Lax Enforcement and Judicial Challenges Recent cases highlight the...
Two Cats Who Survived Brutal Dog Attack Need Your Help To Recover
There are over 3 million stray cats and dogs roaming the streets of Greece as the number continues to rise. The skinny animals can be seen in every city, especially around Athens. Careless owners who abandon their unwanted pets on the streets are only adding to the crisis. There are kind locals who attempt to feed the stray cats and try and keep an eye on their health. When Leo and his sister Tabitha didn’t show up for food the community members became worried and went to look for them. Photo: Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T. They found Leo...
Woman saves cat from hawk attack in dramatic rescue
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! One day when I walked to my mailbox, I saw the neighborhood hawk fly up to his usual pine tree to eat the fish he just caught. He usually gets greedy and has a fish in each talon. Many times, he drops one of the fish on my lawn, so I was not surprised when something dropped from the tree. PHOTO: RUTH BALIS When I walked over to pick it up, I was shocked to find a tiny kitten, who was...
Everything You Need to Know About CBD and Dogs
Navigating the world of canine health can often feel like deciphering a complex puzzle, especially with emerging trends like CBD and dogs. Amidst the buzz and myriad of information (and misinformation), it’s essential to sort fact from fallacy before diving into dosing your dog with any new cure for that which ails them. With science as our compass and your dog’s well-being at heart, the team at Banixx has decoded the science behind CBD and dogs. Read on to unravel how CBD might work to improve the life of your precious pup. What...
Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition session recordings now available on-demand!
Maddie’s Fund® recently hosted Camp Maddie, a two-day online event focusing on dog behavior. We’re happy to share that sessions are now available for you to learn at your leisure on Maddie’s® University! Whether you missed it the first time or just want a refresher, these informative sessions may be just what your organization needs it take its dog behavior knowledge to the next level. Featured sessions include: Risk Assessment of Dogs with a History of Aggressive Behavior with Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC...
Italian Town’s Battle With Bears Escalates as Human Conflicts Surge
In the picturesque regions of Trentino, Italy, the bear population has surged from a conservation effort initiated in 1999, aiming to reverse their near extinction. Originally, Project URSUS hoped to stabilize at about 50 bears, but recent counts estimate around 100 bears now inhabit the area. This increase has led to several human-bear conflicts, with some bears displaying problematic behavior such as aggressiveness or over-familiarity with human settlements. Photo: PexelsTrentino, Italy, faces rising bear-human conflicts. Incidents Leading...
Stray Cat Found Paralyzed After Being Shot In Back Needs Our Help To Walk Again
Millions of stray cats roam the streets of Greece and sadly many are starving, injured, and in need of medical care. Stray animals already have a tough life, and then cruel individuals cause them even more pain. A stray cat named Ninja was found unable to move his hind legs after being shot in the back by an evil person and left to suffer in the street. Staff from a local shelter, Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T., came to his rescue and took him to a local animal hospital to be treated. Photo: Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T. He arrived in extreme pain...
Deep Sea Discovery Reveals More Than 50 New Species Near Easter Island
In an impressive display of scientific exploration, researchers have recently uncovered over 50 new species in the depths of the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. This discovery sheds light on the uncharted biodiversity of the Salas y Gómez Ridge, a sprawling underwater mountain range that serves as a haven for a myriad of marine life. Photo: PexelsOver 50 new deep-sea species were discovered near Easter Island. The Unveiling of New Species The Schmidt Ocean Institute, along with an international team of...
Senior Stray Cat Suffering From Blood Parasite Needs Immediate Medical Care
Panda the cat has had a rough life as a stray cat in Greece. He is one of millions of cats that roam the streets in search of food and shelter. After surviving for nine years on his own in a stray colony, a kindhearted couple who feeds and looks after the cats noticed that Panda had lost his appetite. They contacted a local shelter, Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T., to help the senior fella. Panda is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) positive and according to RSPCA cats with FIV may be more prone to common diseases. “An FIV positive cat may...
Michigan Hunter Mistakes Rare Gray Wolf for Coyote in Shocking Wildlife Encounter
In a striking turn of events, what was initially thought to be an extraordinarily large coyote, turned out to be something much more significant. A hunter in Calhoun County, Michigan, discovered he had actually shot a gray wolf, an animal that had not been seen in the southern reaches of the state for over a century. Photo: PexelsA Michigan hunter mistakenly shot a gray wolf during a coyote hunt. The Incident During a legal coyote hunt, the hunter, alongside a guide, encountered and shot what he believed was a world-record-setting coyote due...
Ohio Triumphs in Wildlife Conservation as Trumpeter Swan Soars Off Threatened List
In a pivotal wildlife conservation success, the trumpeter swan has been officially removed from Ohio’s Threatened Species List, marking the end of a 28-year effort towards species recovery. Photo: PexelsThe trumpeter swan has been removed from Ohio’s Threatened Species List. The Path to Recovery Originating in the 1990s, the recovery initiative was a collaborative effort involving state wildlife agencies and local zoos. These efforts included importing swan eggs from Alaska and nurturing them at facilities like the Cleveland...
Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: What It Is and What to Do About It
Our dogs can make some pretty weird noises sometimes, and for the most part, we’re used to all their snorts and snuffles and just treat these sounds like a fact of life. But have you ever heard your dog reverse sneeze? It can be a pretty scary experience if you don’t know what’s happening. What is reverse sneezing? When a dog (or a person) sneezes, air is forced rapidly out through the nose in an attempt to expel a foreign body. Reverse sneezing, also called paroxysmal respiration, is pretty much exactly the opposite. This...
Lake Sturgeon at the Brink: Will New Protections Save North America’s Living Dinosaurs?
Lake Sturgeon, a species once abundant in North American waters, now finds itself at the center of a complex conservation debate. Indigenous to the vast freshwater systems of the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and Hudson Bay, Lake Sturgeon have navigated the waters of North America since the time of the dinosaurs, making them a critical part of the continent’s aquatic heritage. As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) approaches a decision on whether to list the species under the Endangered Species Act, various stakeholders brace...
Emaciated Dog With Several Health Issues Needs Your Help To Heal
Meet Marlon. Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston received a call from a local shelter to help save an emaciated five-year-old Boston terrier in poor health. Photo: Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston The sweet boy arrived as a stray extremely underweight with bloody diarrhea, significant hair loss on his face, and a skin mass on his right elbow. He was pale, weak, and needed immediate medical care. He was brought to a local vet clinic where he was started on medication for his upset stomach and is receiving daily medicated baths to...
Stray Cat With Bleeding Eye Cried Out In Pain Until Someone Came To His Aid
Meet Caramel. He has had a tough life as a stray cat living on the streets of Greece. There are millions of stray animals searching for food and a safe place to rest. Caramel lost an eye which healed poorly and developed an infection. When his other eye started to bleed, he took shelter by a building and cried out in pain until a passerby stopped to help. Photo: Greater Good Charities He was rushed to a local veterinary hospital where they started him on pain medicine as they examined him. The poor feline needs surgery to give him the best...
Birdwatching for Cats: The Ultimate Guide to Feline Enrichment
Cats are natural-born hunters, so they’re captivated by the movement, sounds, and sheer unpredictability of birds. Even the most pampered housecat has deeply ingrained instincts to stalk, chase, and pounce. Unfortunately, indoor life often doesn’t usually provide enough opportunities to satisfy these urges. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and even destructive behaviors. Birdwatching for cats can provide your feline friend with opportunities to safely observe birds, offering a world of mental stimulation and enrichment....
It’s Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week!
Celebrate National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week this April 14-20, 2024! It’s a week when communities are encouraged to learn about what the job of animal control really entails and to be grateful for those who do them. We thought it fitting to highlight the excellent Maddie’s® University course authored by National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), “NACA Field Services Series: Canine Behavior in the Field.” This course first focuses on understanding what a dog may be communicating through...
California Moves to Outlaw Octopus Farms, Prioritizing Compassion Over Cruelty
California is poised to become a leader in animal welfare with its consideration of a ban on octopus farming, a practice that raises significant ethical and environmental concerns. This comes amidst growing evidence about the sentience and complex needs of octopuses, sparking debates about the appropriateness of their cultivation for food. Photo: PexelsCalifornia is considering a ban on octopus farming. Ethical Considerations and Animal Welfare The initiative to outlaw octopus farming in California is driven by concerns over the...
Firefighters Chisel Through Wall To Rescue Cat Who Does Not Appear Grateful
Cats are notorious for their curiosity and getting themselves trapped in difficult spaces. While most felines are relieved when they are rescued from a high tree or small space, one calico cat does not look happy to have been found. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service responded to a call about a cat trapped in a wall. They wrote, “Between a wall and a hard place – literally! Our crews from Preston safely rescued this curious cat from their tight squeeze earlier this week.” They carefully chiseled through a wall to free the...
Surrogate Sea Otter Mothers Offer Lifeline to Endangered Pups
The Aquarium of the Pacific recently introduced a pioneering initiative in its history: pairing an orphaned sea otter pup with a surrogate mother. This initiative marks a potential turning point for the southern sea otter, a species that has struggled to recover from near extinction. Southern sea otters, now a protected species, faced drastic declines due to excessive hunting, reducing their numbers to as few as 50 in 1938. However, protective measures have enabled their numbers to swell to around 3,000 today, reports the Sacramento Bee....