CDC Confirms New Bird Flu Risk After Mutated Strain Passes To Farmer In Texas
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a critical health alert concerning a human case of the H5N1 bird flu strain, marking a significant moment in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases. This development, centered around a farm worker in Texas, sheds light on the evolving nature of the HPAI viruses and their impact on both animal and human health. Photo: PexelsThe CDC issued a health alert for a bird flu case in Texas, after the disease passed from a cowq to a human. Confirmed Infection Raises Concerns A farm...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection, DEI survey and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Supercharge your foster program with Maddie’s Monthly Foster ConnectionIf you’re looking to bring new ideas to your organizations foster program, then look no further than Maddie’s® Monthly Foster Connection. This monthly webcast held on the first Thursday of the month at 12PM PT/3PM ET is an opportunity to discuss successful foster innovations and programs, collaborate with others in the field, answer questions and… Learn More Take the...
Understanding and Managing Fear Periods in Puppy Development
Pet parents spend day and night doting on their new puppies, and it’s heartbreaking to see them afraid. But puppies go through fear periods, which are normal developmental stages in dogs that typically happen when they have a heightened sensitivity to a new experience. Fear periods are temporary but confusing, so let’s talk about how they impact puppy development and how you can help manage them. What Are Fear Periods? A fear period is a critical window in a puppy’s life when they’re more susceptible to fears due to...
‘Wily’ Feral Cat Has Two Litters of Kittens Before Neighbors Are Able to Catch, Rescue Her
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! When I took out the trash one day and was walking back to the door, I saw a kitten playing on the deck. My husband and I pulled out three one-month-old black kittens. A week later, I saw two more, as well as a scrawny tortie watching them. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / JULIE Again, my husband and I caught the two kittens (one black, one orange), but mama cat ran. We left food out for her, and she...
Canadian Horses Face Harrowing Journey to Japanese Slaughterhouses
In a practice that has sparked significant controversy and advocacy efforts, Canada has become a focal point for the export of live horses to Japan, where they are destined for slaughter and consumption. This trade, deeply intertwined with cultural, ethical, and economic threads, raises profound questions about animal welfare, regulatory oversight, and the complexities of global food markets. Photo: PexelsCanadian horses are exported for slaughter in Japan. The Journey from Canada to Japan Every year, thousands of Canadian horses embark on a...
Traumatized Senior Cats Rescued From Frontlines Need Help To Heal
Evacuated pets continue to arrive at the Patron Pet Center in Ukraine. Many are malnourished and need immediate medical attention. Two senior felines arrived in dire need of care. Rudi was rescued from the village of Ivanivka suffering from an abscess on her paw, rotten teeth, and bullets from a pneumatic gun were found under the skin. She has endured unimaginable pain but remains a friendly cat. Photo: GreaterGood She was quickly started on pain meds and antibiotics. The bullets have been removed and she is finally getting the care she...
Up Your Dog Training Game With High-Value Treats!
Dog training can be as rewarding as it can be frustrating, but you can reach your goals with a little patience, a lot of positive reinforcement, and a ton of high-value treats! Training a dog requires time, patience, and understanding, but one of the key ingredients is high-value treats! These tasty morsels encourage dogs to work, making training a breeze compared to using rewards your dog doesn’t care for. But what are high-value dog treats, why do they work, and how can you find what your dog likes? Let’s find out! What Are...
“Pawth of Totality” Adoption Special
Apr 05, 2024 All pet adoption fees will be 50% off between April 5-8, 2024 To celebrate the 2024 Total Eclipse, Austin Pets Alive! will be hosting a “Pawth of Totality Adoption Special” by discounting all adoption fees by 50% on April 5-8 for cats and dogs at our two shelter locations and in foster homes. The promotion will count down the days until the historic “Pawth of Totality” on April 8th and aims to encourage more people to provide a second chance to as many animals as possible. People can find new dog friends...
Sheep Steals Hearts Worldwide with Tail-Wagging Love for Their Human
Sheep, often seen as mere providers of wool or part of pastoral scenes, have recently shown a different side to their personalities, capturing hearts worldwide. A video capturing a sheep’s enthusiastic greeting to its favorite human has not only gone viral but has also sparked a conversation about these animals’ social behaviors and emotional expressions. Photo: PexelsA sheep was recorded wagging its tail excitedly at the sight of its favorite human. A Tail-Wagging Welcome In a surprising display of affection, a sheep was filmed...
This Earth Month, Help Us Plant Trees Along an Iconic Great Lake Shoreline
Forests provide habitat for nearly 70% of mammal species and 75% of bird species. They also improve water quality by capturing and storing rainfall, which helps reduce runoff into neighboring waterbodies. Their carbon-storing capabilities make them key in combatting climate change, as well. Unfortunately, our forests are also at risk, with more than 27,000 square miles lost each year. This is largely due to land being converted to other purposes, but trees are also being lost to land degradation, diseases, invasive pests, and climate change...
From the Savannah to the City Botswana’s 20,000 Elephant Offer Shocks Germany
Botswana has put forth a daring proposition to Germany: the relocation of 20,000 elephants amidst a brewing diplomatic spat over trophy hunting regulations. This bold offer by Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, underscores a complex intersection of wildlife conservation, local economies, and international diplomacy. Photo: PexelsBotswana has offered 20,000 elephants to Germany. The Heart of the Matter The crux of this diplomatic tension lies in Germany’s proposed tightening of regulations on the import of hunting trophies, a...
Tiny Kitten with Duct-Taped Leg Sparks Massive Rescue from House of Horrors
In a recent, heartrending discovery in Chester County, Pennsylvania, dozens of animals, including cats, a dog, a rabbit, and a turtle, were rescued from abhorrent conditions in a hoarder’s home. Among them was a one-month-old kitten, now named Roo, who was found with her front leg partially amputated and crudely wrapped in duct tape, reports NBC Philadelphia. Photo: PexelsThe rescue uncovered 38 animals living in deplorable conditions. The Discovery and Rescue Operation The Brandywine Valley SPCA initially responded to a call regarding...
Good Fix Team Spay/Neuters Over 1,000 Stray Cats In Oklahoma
An estimated 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters every year and countless more roam the streets. The best way to control homeless cat populations is to spay and neuter. Greater Good Charities’ Good Fix team headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to help spay and neuter hundreds of stray cats. Photo: Greater Good Charities During the 4-day “Snip, Tip… HOORAY!” clinic, the team sterilized, vaccinated and microchipped a total of 1,021 free roaming cats. This will result in a drastic reduction to the stray cat population in the area...
Mystery Surrounds 100 Dead Dolphins Washed Ashore in Russia’s Black Sea
In a heartrending environmental catastrophe, over 100 dolphins have been discovered lifeless along the shores of Russia’s Black Sea, stirring concerns among marine biologists, environmentalists, and local communities. This alarming incident sheds light on the myriad pressures faced by marine life and the intricate balance of our marine ecosystems. Photo: PexelsOver 100 dolphins were found dead along Russia’s Black Sea coast. A Mysterious Mass Stranding The discovery of 137 Black Sea dolphins in the Krasnodar Territory and Sirius...
Maori King Pioneers Legal Leap for Whale Protections — Granting ‘Personhood’
Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII, the Maori King of New Zealand, alongside high-ranking Indigenous leaders across the Pacific, has ignited a global conversation by advocating for whales to be recognized as legal persons. This bold proposition aims to intertwine Indigenous wisdom with modern conservation efforts to safeguard these majestic marine beings, crucial to the ocean’s ecological balance. Photo: PexelsNew Zealand’s Maori King advocates for whale personhood. Personhood: A Legal Cloak for Whales The call for whale...
Can Dogs Eat Cockroaches? Possible Health Risks & Care Tips
Click to Skip Ahead Whether your dog has recently eaten a cockroach, it’s happened before, or you’re just wondering, this is a likely enough scenario that you should know the facts. Depending on your dog’s temperament, and, of course, the environment, they may rarely chase bugs or may do it whenever one presents itself. So, can your dog eat roaches safely, or is it cause for concern? The odds of your dog gobbling up a cockroach without any bad effects are pretty good, but hazards do exist. In case your pet is in the habit of...
Austin Needs To Rebuild Its Model, Not Kill For Space
Apr 03, 2024 Shelters all over the United States are struggling, including Austin Animal Center and us right here at Austin Pets Alive!. In 2011, Austin became a No Kill community and has remained so with increasing save rates year over year. With the recent city ordinance changes and AAC’s latest announcement stating that hard decisions may need to be made for 20+ dogs who volunteers say should never be at risk, it’s safe to say that we’re facing the real chance that Austin is dangerously close to stepping into the wrong...
Hidden Agony Revealed in Poultry Farms While Kentucky Bill Aims to Veil the Truth
Kentucky’s legislature has recently passed Senate Bill 16, a piece of legislation that could significantly impact the transparency and accountability of the state’s agricultural industry. This bill, currently awaiting Governor Andy Beshear’s decision, aims to criminalize the unauthorized use of recording devices within commercial food facilities, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The proposed law has ignited a fierce debate between industry proponents and animal rights groups, who argue that it could...
South Carolina Shelter Dogs Have Space to Run & Play Thanks to Rescue Rebuild and Volunteers
Shelter dogs spend a lot of time in a kennel waiting for someone to adopt them. Staff and volunteers do their best to give them daily walks, but dogs need a space to run and play. Greater Good Charities’ Rescue Rebuild travels around the country renovating animal shelters to create inviting spaces for both shelter pets and adopters. Their most recent project took them to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue – Team South Carolina to build outdoor play yards for shelter dogs. Photo: Greater Good Charities Read on to see how your donations are...
Lost Pets Are Being Found in Minutes Thanks to High Tech Drones
In an age where technology continuously reshapes our lives, high-tech drones are carving out a significant niche in pet search and rescue operations. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are not just toys for enthusiasts but lifesaving tools in the hands of skilled operators, turning the tide for lost pets and their distressed owners. Photo: PexelsHigh-tech drones are revolutionizing pet search and rescue efforts. From Deer Tracking to Pet Finding As WAFB reports, Southern Drone Recovery, initially started to assist hunters in tracking lost...
