Monkey Mayhem and Kangaroo Carnage? Concerns Loom as New Hampshire Considers Wild Pets Legislation
In recent developments within New Hampshire, a bill proposing to legalize the ownership of kangaroos, monkeys, and skunks has stirred significant debate. H.B. 1325-FN aims to ease the process for residents to keep these exotic animals as pets without needing a permit from the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. Photo: PexelsKangaroos can grow to be very large and powerful. Lawmakers and Experts Weigh In The response from lawmakers has been overwhelmingly negative. As WMUR reports, a House committee unanimously voted against the bill,...
Senior Cat Overlooked At Los Angeles Cat Cafe Longs For Loving Home
An eight-year-old Siamese cat named Snowball is tired of being overlooked. He lived most of his life at a stray cat on the streets of Montebello, California, but is ready to for the good life in a loving home. He arrived at Kitten Rescue of Los Angeles injured and in need of medical care. He has fully recovered but is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) positive. He adores people and older children who respect his space. He purrs loudly for food and attention and will come when called, unless he is napping, shared the shelter. Photo: Kitten...
“Lucky” Black Cat Survives Texas Wildfire And Leads Game Warden To More Kittens
Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in Texas history, has destroyed hundreds of buildings, burned roughly 1.1 million acres, and claimed the lives of countless cattle. Firefighters are still working to contain the flames as well as two other wildfires in the Panhandle area. Photo: Facebook/Texas Game Wardens Texas Game Warden Sarah Wennersten headed to an area devastated by the fire to assess the damage. As she walked around the charred ground, she come across a black cat. Then she saw another and another and decided to follow the...
Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? 6 Vet-Approved Reasons
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » When your favorite canine isn’t hyped up and ready to play, chances are good they’re sleeping. Sleep is a big part of a dog’s life; in fact, dogs sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, if not more! (And that doesn’t even count the time they spend awake but lazing about.) But why do dogs sleep so much? Your pup sleeps so much for several reasons, ranging from genetics to the world around them. All...
Delaware Cracks Down on Fake Service Animals Saving Lives in the Balance
To address the burgeoning issue of fraudulent service animal representation, Delaware has put forth legislation aimed at penalizing individuals who falsely claim their pets as service animals. This initiative seeks to uphold the integrity of genuine service animals, vital for many individuals with disabilities, and to mitigate the problems posed by fake service animals in public and residential spaces. Photo: PexelsService animals undergo rigorous training to assist individuals with disabilities. Delaware’s Legislative Response The...
Dog and Cat Dental Health: Controlling Plaque and Tartar at Home
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
My Dog Ate a Crayon: Should I Be Worried? (Vet Answer)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Dogs are known for putting anything in their mouths, including art supplies. This happens especially when they are puppies because they use their mouths to explore their environment. If your dog ate a crayon, there’s usually no need to worry, as crayons are not toxic to pets. That said, in some rare cases, swallowed crayons can lead to stomach upset, obstruction, or choking. Should I Worry If...
Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition featuring Dr. Chris Pachel
Join us at Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition on March 20 and April 3, 2024 from 9AM-1PM PT (12PM-4PM ET) for two free, virtual, half-days that will include presentations, short videos and question & answer sessions about dog behavior. We’ll talk about determining which dogs are safe to rehome, keeping dogs happy and healthy while they are in your care at the shelter, and finding them homes. Kicking off Camp Maddie will be Chris Pachel, DVM, Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB), Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC), and...
Kitten Meows Outside Apartment at 4 a.m., Immediately Runs to Bed When Tenant Opens the Door
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 already had two cats and really didn’t want another. Early one morning, though, around 4 a.m., I heard a kitten meowing. I knew it wasn’t one of mine; they were both sound asleep in bed next to me, so I got up to investigate. KITTEN. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ZAYDA C I lived in an apartment, and when I opened my front door, in ran this kitten. He immediately jumped in my bed and...
Why Is My Puppy So Hyper? 9 Common Reasons
Click to Skip Ahead Puppyhood comes with a huge learning curve, for your new puppy and for you as a new dog owner. While they learn about the world and how to interact with it, you need to learn about the best food and training supplies and figure out a routine that will keep your dog happy. Managing your puppy’s energy level isn’t always easy, especially after a long, exhausting day at work. When you just want to sit and relax, your puppy’s hyperactivity can be a chore to deal with, especially when it ends with sharp and...
Can Dehydration Cause Seizures in Dogs? (Vet Answer)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead How concerned should we be about dehydration in dogs? Can it cause neurological issues such as seizures? Thankfully, dehydration is an uncommon cause of seizures in dogs. The main situation in which vets observe dehydration and seizures together is heat stroke. However, in episodes of heat stroke, there are other severe internal or metabolic derangements that may be causing the seizures. Seizures...
Are Shar Peis Aggressive? Facts & FAQ
Click to Skip Ahead When you hear the name Shar Pei, their wrinkled skin and “hippopotamus” head are likely the first things that spring to mind. However, you’ve also likely heard that these dogs have a reputation for being aggressive. It’s true that Shar Peis were bred to be fighting dogs, and in the wrong hands, they can be aggressive. However, like with any dog breed, it comes down to their upbringing, socialization, and training. Here, we look at the origins of the Shar Pei, as that helps explain their potentially...
Parrot Fever Outbreak Sweeps Europe Fatalities Rise as Disease Spreads
The recent outbreak of psittacosis, commonly known as parrot fever, has sent ripples of concern across Europe, with cases escalating beyond typical yearly averages and resulting in fatalities. This bacterial infection, rooted in the Chlamydia family, primarily affects birds, both wild and domesticated, yet poses a significant risk to humans through direct contact or airborne particles. As the situation unfolds, it’s crucial for individuals, particularly in the U.S., to stay informed about the disease’s trajectory, preventive...
Tragedy Strikes Northern California River — Over 800,000 Salmon Fry Killed
In a distressing turn of events, an estimated 830,000 Chinook salmon fry, released into the Klamath River in Northern California, have perished due to gas bubble disease. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / WhitehorseFishChinook salmon are a key species in U.S. river ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity. The young salmon, hatched at the state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, met their untimely demise shortly after their release on February 26. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has linked the mass mortality to gas bubble...
Man Cancels Flight Home After Falling In Love With Shelter Dog He Met At Tourist Attraction In North Carolina
Love at first sight or encounter is real, especially when it involves a dog. Wayne and his family were visiting Asheville, North Carolina, and decided to head to the historic Biltmore Estate for a tour. They left with the best souvenir of all. The Massachusetts family was taking in the beautiful grounds at the estate when they ran into the Mountain Mutts group walking dogs available for adoption at Asheville Humane Society. Mountain Mutts is a shelter program to help energetic dogs get the exercise they need and time away from the shelter....
Starving Golden Searching For Scraps Outside McDonald’s Will Never Go Hungry Again In New Home
For countless days, an emaciated two-year-old golden retriever wandered the streets of Florida in search of food and shelter. Her search is finally over. The starving and filthy pup was spotted by animal control officers scrounging for scraps at a local McDonald’s parking lot. She was taken in by a rural shelter and then transferred to Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida after no one came to claim her. Her life started out rough, but her luck has finally changed. She was named Natalie after an inspiring 12-year-old girl who...
Rescue Dogs Face Euthanasia after Abandonment at Los Angeles Kennel
In a disheartening turn of events, a kennel in Rowland Heights, Los Angeles, became an unintended shelter for 31 dogs, abandoned by the rescue group Woofy Acres. The distressing situation at Shanderin Kennels unfolds a story of abandonment, community effort, and the urgent need for responsible pet ownership and rescue operations. Photo: PexelsOver 30 pets were abandoned at a local kennel, facing an uncertain future. Abandonment at the Kennels Two years ago, Woofy Acres brought these dogs to Shanderin Kennels for what was supposed to be...
Solar Eclipse 2024 Could Spell Chaos for Wildlife as Day Turns to Night
As the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, approaches, the anticipation grows not only among humans but also within the animal kingdom. This celestial event, spanning from Mexico to Maine, offers a unique opportunity to observe the impact on both pets and wildlife. Here’s how animals might react to the sudden shift from day to night and back again. Photo: PexelsDiurnal animals may return to their nests or hiding spots, mistaking the eclipse for dusk. Pets and Their Perception of the Eclipse Household pets, particularly dogs and cats,...
Stray Tortie Taken in By Neighbor, Gives Birth a Week Later
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 have always loved cats and, over the years, have had several rescues. I’ve also lost several to the Rainbow Bridge. I moved from Oregon to Arizona and brought my furry family of three with me: Cleocatra, her daughter Rags, and a sweet little girl named Scooter. After settling in to our new home, I noticed a beautiful baby girl tortie hanging around outside in the carport. TORTIE...
Young Birds Perfect Their Migratory Behavior Through Learning and Exploration, Research Shows
Billions of animals migrate each year, but there’s limited information on how most species’ migratory behaviors change as they age. While time and energy concerns are typically the focus of studies on migration, new research finds that learning may also play a big role. Scientists from the University of Wyoming and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior recently shared the findings of seven years’ worth of research into white stork migration in southern Germany and Austria. The team followed birds from their first...