Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dog field trip benefits, webcasts galore and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one shelter is using a field trip program to rally their community“One of the best things we could have done for our shelter was create our Paws Around the Pee Dee program,” says Wendy Ransome, a foster coordinator, data manager and volunteer from Darlington County Humane Society in Darlington, South Carolina. (Pee Dee is a region in the northeast corner of South Carolina, which lies along… Learn More These upcoming webcasts will put a spring...
Why Acupressure Is an Effective Way to Help a Fearful Dog
Left unresolved, excessive fear in dogs causes emotional suffering and can even become dangerous. Here’s how acupressure, combined with help from your vet and a canine behaviorist, can help a fearful dog feel safer and calmer. Fear is a necessary defense mechanism — a healthy reaction to any real or perceived threat to your dog’s survival. A timid dog might become frozen with fear or run and hide, while a more aggressive canine could lash out to ward off the frightening trigger. These “fight or flight” responses...
They Have Bird Sidekicks, And Other Fascinating Facts About the Rhino
Rhinos, the stocky tanks of the animal kingdom, were once prevalent across North America, Asia, and Africa, but their numbers – and range – have fallen sharply in more recent history. Hunting, poaching, and habitat loss are the main contributors to their population decline. In fact, of the five rhino species, three – the Javan, Sumatran, and black rhino – are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The other two, the white rhino and the greater one-horned rhino, are near threatened and vulnerable,...
Man Sentenced for Heartless Animal Cruelty—Shooting Kitten and Displaying Dead Animals
In a harrowing case that shocked the Everett community, Blayne M. Perez, a 35-year-old resident, has been sentenced to three years of community custody following a series of cruel acts against wildlife and pets. This case sheds light on the dark underbelly of animal cruelty and the legal system’s response to such heinous acts. Photo: PexelsA man shot a kitten, causing severe injuries including the loss of an eye. A Pattern of Cruelty The unsettling journey began in January 2022, when local residents reported Perez for shooting birds and...
Abandoned Cats Evacuated from Frontlines in Ukraine Need Safe Space
Animals are once again caught in the crossfire of war in Ukraine. As the frontline moves, homeless and abandoned pets are in danger. Brave volunteers are entering the war-torn streets to rescue the cats and dogs found trembling in fear in destroyed buildings and homes. GreaterGood Patron Pet Center has opened their doors to these innocent animals who arrive in need of medical care and food. They provide a nutritious meal, which many pets haven’t had in many months, and attend to their injuries. With your help, we are helping to provide...
Simba the Lion Trapped in Despair at Tregembo Animal Park
In Wilmington, North Carolina, Tregembo Animal Park, a roadside zoo with a storied past, finds itself under scrutiny once again. Recent inspections have unveiled a series of neglect and malpractice, casting a shadow over the lives of its captive animals, notably Simba the lion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has laid bare the grim reality of life for the animals at Tregembo Animal Park. Photo: PexelsRecent USDA inspections uncovered multiple violations at Tregembo Animal Park. From unsafe enclosures to inadequate veterinary care,...
Eco-Friendly Options for Your Dog or Cat’s Remains
Losing a beloved dog or cat is the most difficult part of being an animal parent. Exploring eco-friendly options for her remains can help lighten the burden on you and the planet. No one wants to think about the day they have to say goodbye to a beloved dog or cat. But planning ahead by considering the various options available for your companion’s remains can help make life a little bit easier when the time comes. This article focuses on eco-friendly alternatives that are easier on the environment than conventional burial or cremation....
Deadly Invasion Unleashed in Florida — Pets at Risk from Toxic Toad Menace
Florida is currently grappling with an ecological crisis that poses a significant threat to pet safety. The invasion of bufo toads, also known as cane toads or giant marine toads, has become a pressing concern for pet owners across the state. These amphibians carry a potent toxin that can be fatal to pets, particularly dogs, if ingested. Photo: PexelsBufo toads in Florida secrete a lethal toxin harmful to pets. Understanding the Bufo Toad Threat Bufo toads secrete a milky toxin that is harmful to pets, reports USA Today. When a pet, such as a...
Man Opens His Apartment to Stray Cat, Who Proceeds to Give Birth to Kittens in His Bed
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! So it was mid-August, and I’d just moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn with a few weeks to chill before starting grad school. Sitting on the front stoop one evening, this gnarly bag of bones of a tabby came up to me and accepted a few pets before darting off. PHOTO: ANTHONY SIMONE The following evening, I was sitting on the stoop again, and she came back and this time was all...
Cat Escapes From Carrier on the Way to the Vet, But Months-Long Search Has Happy Ending
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 October day, I decided to become one of those “Sunday Afternoon Drivers” and travel in search of some fall scenery. During my travels, I saw a cat that had been hit by a car next to the side of the road. As I passed, I saw something move. KITTEN. PHOTO: PIXABAY / DIRK SCHUMACHER I backed up and saw two jet black kittens standing next to their deceased mama. My heart just...
Man Credits ‘Savior’ Cat for Helping Him Through Two Deaths and Chronic Depression
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! I truly believe that I met and adopted Riley through the hand of God. My beloved cat Sam succumbed to feline leukemia in 2010. I was emotionally shattered. But soon I knew I needed another cat in my life, so I began scouring the internet. I saw one shelter cat that looked promising, but when I went to see her, she kept running away and hiding from the staff. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / GUNDULA...
Kitten Found on the Way to Soccer Game Becomes Team’s Unofficial Mascot
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! My husband and I were headed to one of our son’s soccer games early one September evening when I spotted something small and black in the road. I pulled the car into the first driveway where I could safely stop and dashed back toward the tiny black fur ball, waving my hands at passing cars to slow down as I ran. PHOTO: ELIZABETH SMITH Miraculously, the little kitten was unharmed,...
Pets at Risk as Study Reveals Humans Major Source of Animal Viruses
In the intricate web of life, the flow of viruses between species is more complex than previously believed. Recent research has revealed a surprising dynamic: humans are more often the source of viruses for animals than the other way around. This finding challenges long-standing assumptions and highlights the need for a broader perspective on our role in the transmission of infectious diseases. Photo: PexelsHumans transmit more viruses to animals than vice versa. Unraveling the Flow of Viruses An extensive study published in Nature Ecology...
Toledo Zoo Hosts Easter Egg Hunt For Animal Residents
All animals at The Toledo Zoo in Ohio are treated to daily enrichment to engage their mind and body. Since Easter is just days away, the caretakers have planned a fun Animal Egg Hunt for all the residents on Friday. Bright eggs will be placed in each animal’s enclosure and then visitors can watch as the animal searches for the treat inside. The eggs will vary in size and material based on the animal. Some will receive hard-boiled eggs, while others will get Jell-O eggs, raw eggs or paper-mache eggs stuffed with delicious treats. The zoo...
This Woman’s Tribute to Her Dog Will Leave You in Tears
Pets are considered family to many people, and losing one can leave a void that’s hard to fill. One woman’s unique tribute to her Golden Retriever, Max, illustrates the profound bond between humans and their pets, turning a simple home renovation into a touching memorial. Photo: TikTok / shariblivinShari B transformed her staircase into a tribute for her late Golden Retriever, Max. Preserving Memories in Wood During a home improvement project, Shari B. faced a dilemma when it came to repainting her staircase. One step, visibly...
How one shelter is using a field trip program to rally their community
“One of the best things we could have done for our shelter was create our Paws Around the Pee Dee program,” says Wendy Ransome, a foster coordinator, data manager and volunteer from Darlington County Humane Society in Darlington, South Carolina. (Pee Dee is a region in the northeast corner of South Carolina, which lies along the Pee Dee River.) The foster field trip program was developed when Ransome took the Short Term Foster and Field Trips Online Instructor-Led Course through Maddie’s® University and the shelter...
Woman Rescues Cat Dropped Into Her Yard By a Hawk
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...
Your Dog Understands That Words Stand for Certain Objects, New Research Shows
We all say certain words to our pets on a regular basis, and they’ll often have consistent responses to them. How much do they actually understand the words themselves, though? A new study of dogs’ brain activity shows they may understand what the words themselves stand for. Research recently published in Current Biology aimed to see if dogs have object word knowledge, which the team says has not been identified in any non-human animals. To conduct the study, the researchers used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to measure dogs’...
Asha the Elephant Trapped in Solitude at Virginia Zoo Faces a Bleak Future
In the rolling hills of Virginia, a story unfolds that captures the complex intersection of animal welfare, legislation, and public sentiment. Central to this narrative is Asha, a 38-year-old African elephant, whose plight at the Natural Bridge Zoo has stirred hearts and ignited controversy. Photo: PexelsAsha, an African elephant, resides in solitary confinement at Virginia’s Natural Bridge Zoo. A Life of Isolation and Controversy Asha’s life at the Natural Bridge Zoo has been marked by solitude and an existence far removed from...
Overcrowded NYC Shelter Caring for Hundreds of Dogs Makes Desperate Plea for Help
Animal Care Centers (ACC) of NYC has three locations across New York and all are over capacity. Since the beginning of 2024, the shelter has taken in 1200 dogs. ACC has successfully found homes for hundreds of the stray and surrendered dogs, but hundreds more are still waiting. Screenshot: TikTok/@nycacc They are currently caring for 315 dogs in spaces that were built to house 185 dogs comfortably. This means that hallways, offices, and any open spaces are filled with dog kennels. “Our in shelter dog population is the highest it has...
