Sheltering Beyond Shelters: Housing Justice Advocacy and its Role in Animal Welfare
[embedded content] Housing is a necessity that impacts all families in the United States, and believe it or not – it also profoundly affects animal shelters. Watch this webinar on the state of housing and the history of housing justice advocacy efforts in the U.S. (and why animal welfare advocates should care). Lauren Loney, Staff Attorney & Policy Specialist for HASS, shares highlights from the HASS shelter intake reasons database, which details more than 20,000 housing-related intakes across the country. Joining Lauren is Megan...
Repeat Kangaroo Escapes Expose Dangerous Flaws in Roadside Zoo Management
In a bizarre yet intriguing incident, a kangaroo made headlines after its unexpected escape from Greenview Park and Zoo in southwestern Ontario. The kangaroo’s adventure, though short-lived, raises important questions about the safety and ethics of roadside zoos in the United States. Photo: PexelsSome roadside zoos operate with minimal or no regulatory oversight. Residents of Chatham-Kent, Ontario, were taken aback when they spotted the kangaroo casually hopping along a local roadway. According to CityNews, the sight was so unusual that...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge preparation, resource drive and more!
Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The staff training & leadership development resource drive has begun!We’re kicking off 2024 with another member-suggested resource drive focused on staff training & leadership development. A Forum member suggested the topic saying: “Some animal shelter professionals have traveled an unconventional career path or move up through the ranks on the merits of their dedication, focus and natural talent, but without a lot of traditional… Learn...
Neglected Bird Rescued From Tiny Cage, Home Filled with Cigarette Smoke
This story comes from our friends Burge Bird Rescue. Burge Bird Rescue, located in south Kansas City, Missouri, helps over 300 birds every year from several states. They are affiliated with Burge Bird Services, a veterinary practice that cares for birds exclusively. Learn more about them here! When an owner stubbornly refuses to listen to our advice on how to provide better care for their pets, it is incredibly frustrating and sometimes depressing. Spanky the Red Lored Amazon lived for decades in a cage suitable for a parakeet, bombarded by...
Australian Woman’s Dried Up, Bandicoot-Damaged Property Named ‘World’s Ugliest Lawn’
Some people idealize the perfectly maintained lawn. They aim for a lush green color, with meticulously trimmed blades of grass and certainly no dry spots. Kathleen Murray has the opposite goal, and it’s earned her a free second-hand shirt and world accolades. Murray has been named the latest winner of The World’s Ugliest Lawn competition, which was originally launched as a regional contest in Gotland, a Swedish island located about 60 miles southeast of the mainland in the Baltic Sea. The region regularly experiences low...
Stressed Senior Dog Seeks Quiet Home After Returning To Shelter Due To Owner’s Failing Health
For the past four years, a sweet dog named Mimi has lived in a loving home that she thought was her forever home. Sadly, her owner’s health is declining due to dementia and the family is no longer able to care for her. She has returned to Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is stressed by the loud and unfamiliar shelter environment. The eight-year-old pup has so much love to give and hopes to find her forever home soon. Screenshot: TikTok/@humanebroward The shelter posted her story on TikTok in hopes of...
Mongolia’s Wild Przewalski’s Horses Leap Back from the Brink of Extinction
Once believed extinct in the wild, the Takhi, also known as the Przewalski’s Horse, represents a monumental success story in wildlife conservation. This distinctive horse breed, never domesticated, was reintroduced into Mongolia’s landscapes in a stirring tale of perseverance and international collaboration. Photo: Wikipedia Commons / Solar OlgaThe Takhi, also known as Przewalski’s Horse, is native to the steppes of central Asia. The Takhi, a symbol of Mongolian heritage, was first scientifically described in the 19th...
Watch: Clever Shelter Dog Escapes Kennel And Tries To Free His Friends, But Then Police Arrive
There are some dog breeds that love a challenge and are great at figuring out puzzles, including how to escape their kennel. Lost Our Home Pet Rescue in Tempe, Arizona, shared a video that has gone viral of a “naughty” yet clever shelter dog escaping from his kennel in the middle of the night. Screenshot: YouTube/Lost Our Home Pet Rescue The escapade took place between around 2am and was captured on the shelter’s security cameras. The footage was posted on the shelter’s Facebook page for everyone to enjoy. Screenshot:...
The 1 Thing You Need to Get Your Cat to Drink More!
Cats need to drink water to stay hydrated and healthy, but it’s difficult to get feline friends to drink enough. A recirculating cat fountain is a solution that doesn’t work for many cats, so the AquaPurr fountain is here to save the day! All animals need water to survive, but cat parents have a harder time than others getting their four-legged friends to drink. Cats need to stay hydrated to keep their organs functioning and move oxygen and nutrients around their bodies, but they’re also fussy about their water and prone to...
Top 5 Diagnosed Dog Cancers
Cancer is one of the biggest fears that most pet parents have. About 25% of dogs will get it, but early detection may help improve your pup’s chances of recovery. Let’s learn about the five most common dog cancers, the symptoms to watch for, and common treatments. Cancer affects roughly one in four dogs. The numbers are even higher for older dogs. Some dogs have a genetic predisposition that makes them more vulnerable, but any dog can get cancer. Some types are more common than others, so here are the top five dog cancers, the...
From zany to Zen: the transformative effects of ashwagandha on anxious dogs
We humans don’t hold the monopoly on stress and anxiety. The world can be a scary place for our favorite fur friends too. From loud noises and strange dogs, to environmental changes and separation anxiety, stress can play an important role in your canine’s well-being. If your dog suffers from anxiety, you know the havoc it can wreak – on their health and happiness, and the state of your home. Fortunately, there is increasing evidence that ashwagandha, particularly pure root extract KSM-66 Ashwagandha, offers a safe,...
6 Ways to Change Your Dog’s Behavior
From pulling on the leash to barking too much, our dogs sometimes engage in behaviors we don’t want. Here are six simple ways to change those behaviors and achieve a happy, well-adjusted dog. Does your dog constantly jump up on people? Does she pull on the leash, bark excessively, or ignore you when you call her? Take heart! She’s not deliberately trying to annoy you. Know that good behavior and a more harmonious relationship between you and your dog are closer than you think. This article features six easy tips to help you...
10 Things to Keep in Mind Before Adopting a Bird
When we head to a shelter to get a pet, we usually end up taking home a cat or dog. (And possibly more than one. Those pleading eyes can get to us.) However, birds that find their way to shelters can be good company, as well. Their care may be a bit more extensive, and their personalities may take some getting used to, but if you know what you’re getting into and are prepared to provide them necessary care, you may consider bringing a bird home, too. This January, which is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, learn some of the things you need to...
Facing Extinction, Sharks Battle Against Overfishing and Human Neglect
Sharks, the ocean’s ancient guardians, are facing a stark reality. Despite centuries of resilience, they now confront an existential threat, primarily due to human activities. These magnificent creatures are facing critical challenges that current conservation efforts may not be able to overcome. Photo: PexelsOver 30% of shark species are threatened with extinction. Escalating Mortality Rates A recent study paints a distressing picture: shark mortality rates are on the rise globally. Between 2012 and 2019, shark deaths in fisheries...
Hundreds of Manatees Huddle Together In Florida To Stay Warm Amid Chilly Temperatures
Cold temperatures are moving across the country causing people and animals to seek warm shelter. While most would consider 50 degrees mild, it is cold for manatees in Florida. Southwest Florida Water Management District shared a video on Facebook showing hundreds of manatees gathered together at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. The sea cows, as they are affectionately called, are huddled together on the newly restored shoreline enjoying the warmer water. Check out the footage below: According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...
Brazil’s Atlantic Forest Faces Imminent Collapse, Thousands of Species at Risk
The Atlantic Forest, a unique and biodiverse region in Brazil, is experiencing an ecological crisis due to declining primate populations, crucial for the ecosystem’s health. This crisis can be understood through the lens of “extinction debt,” a concept that captures the delayed effects of past events on current species survival, The Conversation reports. Habitat fragmentation and human-induced changes, including declining primate numbers vital for seed dispersal, are central to this unfolding crisis. Photo: PexelsLess than...
GreaterGood Donated 36,000 Blankets to Ukraine in 2023. Help Us Send More in 2024!
At GreaterGood, your donations always go where they’re needed most so you can help make a true impact on the world. For nearly 25 years, we’ve been giving where it matters for people, pets, and the planet, and we appreciate everything our readers and donors have done to help us in this critical mission. With your help, we’ve now given well over 80 million dollars to various charities in the U.S. and across the globe. One of our most recent projects has been to provide blankets, food, pet food, medical kits, and other...
Malnourished Puppies Suffering From Mange Are Now Thriving Thanks To Your Support
Oklahoma Pet Collective Society received a call about several stray dogs living in deplorable conditions on a rural property in Prue. They arrived to find emaciated puppies missing most of their fur. They were leery of humans, so it took some time to capture them. Their patience paid off and the rescue team was finally able to catch some of the dogs. They named the puppies Dolce and Gabbana who arrived covered in mange and sores and vastly underweight. Photo: Oklahoma Pet Collective Society Thanks to your generous donations, Greater Good...
8 Reasons to Try Grass Seed Cat Litter
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...
Woman Fixated On One Cat at Shelter Hears a Meow From Elsewhere That Immediately Captures Her Heart
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! In 2008, I had two lovable kitties – Mallory (a Maine Coon mix) and Chloe (an elderly tabby). Mallory was a playful girl and much younger than Chloe, who passed away in 2010 at age 18. When Chloe was still alive, Mallory desperately needed a kitty playmate since elderly Chloe was far beyond her playful years at the time. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / Gerhard Bögner My buddy and roomie...
