New Cat Helps Woman Overcome ‘Swirling Sadness’ After Deaths of Two Loved Ones
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 read more stories here! I had a cat named Amos, who I loved very much. I adopted him as a baby, but when he was 5, he was run over by a car that didn’t even stop. I felt I had lost a child. PHOTO: ALEXA WALL A few months earlier, my mom had also died very suddenly. At this point, there was so much death that I...
Did a Weekend Trip Make My Dogs Think They Were Abandoned? Apparently, Yes!
Hi, I’m Allison. Read my introduction to learn more about me and my three mixed-breed dogs from Thailand, Jelly, Lorraina, and Manic. The first time I left my dogs at a pet resort, I was riddled with guilt. We had to leave them for three nights while my husband and I went to Ohio for the weekend. Relocating the dogs from Thailand to the USA was hard on them, so I was concerned they would think we abandoned them. Of course, they have often been left alone for a few hours. They had water, treats, and their beds in a secure...
Cat with Clouded Eye is ‘Imperfectly Perfect’ and Ready to Fill a Forever Home with Smiles
This story was submitted by our shelter friend The Cat House on the Kings. The Cat House on the Kings saves pets’ lives in the Fresno County, California area, and the Animal Rescue Site is proud to share their stories. You can learn more about their work here! It’s the start in life that so many kittens who come through our doors have experienced, surviving on high-traffic business area intersections. Webster, scooped up from an intersection of Weber and the 99, the main highway that runs through Fresno, California, found the...
New Research Uncovers Which Cat Breeds Have the Shortest and Longest Life Expectancies
Research into the life expectancy of dog breeds can be found fairly easily, but that’s not generally the case for cats. A new study out of the United Kingdom aimed to put together such a resource for feline owners there, and it shows that some cats may be more apt to live to a ripe old age than others. Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK and National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan recently teamed up to calculate the average overall life expectancy of pet cats in the UK, further breaking down the figures by...
Terrified Dogs Rescued From Ukraine War Zone Get Second Chance, Thanks To Your Support
Your donations are helping save lives of Ukraine pets evacuated from war-torn areas. Meet Zhuzha and Knopa. They have transformed from traumatized dogs to friendly pups, due in part to your support. Zhuzhа and Knopа were two of numerous pets that were found cowering in fear in destroyed buildings in Ocheretino in the Kherson region of Ukraine that is being bombed daily. Photo: Patron Pet Center Rescuers risked their lives to save these innocent animals from the dangerous area. The dogs were coaxed out of hiding and rushed back to...
Malnourished Kittens Rescued From Frontlines Make Full Recovery At Patron Pet Center
Read how your donations are saving the lives of evacuated pets in Ukraine. Sick and injured pets evacuated from the frontlines by military and brave volunteers are brought to Patron Pet Center to heal and find homes. The center is caring for hundreds of pets and recently took in two litters of malnourished kittens who were rescued just in time from the heavily bombed Kherson region. Photo: Patron Pet Center Mary, Henry, and Ford One litter of kittens arrived alongside their mother who was also in need of medical care. Mama was named Mary, and...
Stray Kitten Wanders Onto Family’s Property, Stays There for the Next 19 Years
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 read more stories here! It was a beautiful sunny November afternoon that day when I came home from work. As I was walking towards the house, I noticed something on the walkway. At first I thought it was a dead squirrel. As I got closer, I realized it was a tiny kitten. PHOTO: DIANA MARSH His eyes were half shut, the...
Birdwatching May Provide Mental Health Boosts, Particularly in College Students
The older we get, the more we get into birdwatching. At least, that’s a commonly held belief, one that readers (or writers) of a certain age may have proven themselves. A new study finds that college students may want to get into it, too, though, for their mental health. Research recently published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology investigated whether birdwatching could help the mental wellbeing of college students. The study authors note that the benefits of nature on mental health are well-established. It’s been found...
UN Report Shows That Wildlife Trafficking Continues to Impact Thousands of Species
Despite two decades of efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, it’s still a persistent issue. Those are the findings of the third United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Wildlife Crime Report, which looked at recent trends in the trafficking of protected animals and plants, its causes, and how to address it. PHOTO: PIXABAY / PATRICK GREGERSON The report showed that, between 2015 and 2021, 4,000 plant and animal species were trafficked in 162 countries and territories. The most commonly targeted animals were rhinos,...
African Penguins Teeter on the Brink of Extinction as Conservationists Race Against Time
The African penguin, a unique species native to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, is on the brink of extinction. Current estimates suggest fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remain, a dramatic fall from over one million pairs in the early 1900s. If significant conservation measures aren’t implemented soon, we could witness their disappearance by 2035. Photo: PexelsAfrican penguins are native to South Africa and Namibia. Factors Contributing to Decline The decline of the African penguin population is attributed to several factors....
Meet Shelter Dogs Eagerly Waiting To Catch Their Flight To Freedom
The countdown has begun for dozens of lucky shelter dogs at overcrowded Louisiana shelters who will be on this month’s Flight to Freedom. They went from hopeless to hopeful. Animal shelters are over capacity and highly adoptable pets are at risk of euthanasia due to a lack of space and adopters. That is why, with your continued support, The Animal Rescue Site sponsors a monthly Greater Good Charities Good Flight (Flight to Freedom) to fly over 50 shelter pets to safety. Photo: Washington County Humane Society The shelter dogs and cats...
Overcrowded Ukraine Animal Shelter Needs Your Help To Save More Evacuated Pets
Our partner, Patron Pet Center, is caring for hundreds of abandoned animals rescued from destroyed cities in Ukraine. The animals arrive traumatized, covered in parasites, malnourished, and often with injuries. The center is already over capacity, but they are contacted daily by military and other rescuers to take in more animals. They desperately need more kennels to care for these innocent animals. Photo: Patron Pet Center The innovative center was designed by a veterinarian and architect who had the animals’ health and welfare in...
Traveling With a Dog: Why We Take Penny on Trips
Hi, I’m Savanna! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my spunky Chihuahua mix, Penny. Do you travel with your dog? Personally, I like to call them “pupcations,” but we try to take Penny with us on trips as much as possible. I like to travel, so I was hesitant to get a dog just for that reason alone. We’ve always had someone check in on our cats daily when we went out of town, but dogs are different from cats and can’t exactly be left alone for long periods. So I was worried we wouldn’t...
Sperm Whales May Be Talking Just Like Us — Discoveries Hint at Complex Underwater Language
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the study of sperm whales, revealing a complex system of communication that resembles a phonetic alphabet. This new insight suggests that these marine giants could be communicating in ways that parallel human language, adding a profound layer to our understanding of non-human communication systems. Photo: PexelsSperm whales use a complex system of clicks known as codas for communication. Decoding the Whale ‘Alphabet’ A recent study led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology...
Four Puppies in Peril Left in Sweltering Car at Disney Springs While Owner Dined
An alarming episode unfolded at Disney Springs, Florida, when four 13-week-old Bernedoodle puppies were found in a distressing state inside a hot car. The puppies, recently acquired from a breeder, were left unattended by their owner, who was dining nearby. Despite the efforts to save them, one puppy succumbed to the heat, while the other three were rescued just in time, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Photo: PexelsFour Bernedoodle puppies were left in a hot car at Disney Springs. Rising Temperatures, Rising Risks The tragedy at Disney Springs...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Back Where They Belong Summit recordings, Community Conversations and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Reduce crowding and get more animals back home where they belongDid you know that by getting just 20% more stray dogs back home, we can end unnecessary shelter euthanasia and have enough homes for every dog who needs one? Earlier this year, the Back Where they Belong Summit addressed these issues and more. And now, your colleagues’ best strategies, toolkits, and talking points for getting dogs and cats… Learn More Check out these helpful posts on...
How to Play with Your Cat: Tips and Seven Fun Ideas
Though people often think of cats as more self-sufficient and low maintenance than dogs, they still need to be kept active, especially if they’re indoors all day. A good play session can do the trick. If they’re still in kittenhood, play is important to help them expend their crazy kitten energy, and it’s key to their development. For cats of all ages, play with their human can keep them at a healthy weight, satisfy their hunting instincts, ensure they have enough mental stimulation, and ease away any stress they may be...
230 Stereotypical Dog Names: Most Classic & Common Options
Click to Skip Ahead Sometimes, the best names for a pet are the simplest. When trying to name a new puppy or renaming a rescue, the name pool is massive. Some people may go for new-age names or something unique, but there is a reason why classic dog names are so well-used and well-loved. We’ve gathered the top 230 stereotypical dog names to help you name your pup; they’re timeless classics that suit all dogs, big and small. How to Name Your Dog With a Stereotypical Name While there are many names for you to choose from when...
Neddy’s Day Spa: A Chihuahua’s Guide to Ear Cleaning & Self-Care
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn. Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. I know that we aren’t supposed to have favorites, but if you follow my weekly stories, it will become pretty obvious that, whilst I love all my dogs, Ned holds a special place in my heart. Weighing in at just under 4 lbs, this pint-sized pup had me 100% wrapped around his...
Retired Police Dog Kona Abandoned at Shelter Finds Hope and New Life
The events surrounding K-9 Kona, a retired police dog from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in Georgia, reveal a troubling gap in the care and management of retired service animals. Kona’s story, which culminates in both community outcry and a heartwarming recovery, underscores significant concerns regarding the welfare of law enforcement dogs after their service concludes. Photo: PexelsKona, a retired K-9 officer, was abandoned at a shelter by her handler. Retirement Gone Wrong Kona was left at a local animal shelter by...
