Ohio Triumphs in Wildlife Conservation as Trumpeter Swan Soars Off Threatened List
In a pivotal wildlife conservation success, the trumpeter swan has been officially removed from Ohio’s Threatened Species List, marking the end of a 28-year effort towards species recovery. Photo: PexelsThe trumpeter swan has been removed from Ohio’s Threatened Species List. The Path to Recovery Originating in the 1990s, the recovery initiative was a collaborative effort involving state wildlife agencies and local zoos. These efforts included importing swan eggs from Alaska and nurturing them at facilities like the Cleveland...
Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: What It Is and What to Do About It
Our dogs can make some pretty weird noises sometimes, and for the most part, we’re used to all their snorts and snuffles and just treat these sounds like a fact of life. But have you ever heard your dog reverse sneeze? It can be a pretty scary experience if you don’t know what’s happening. What is reverse sneezing? When a dog (or a person) sneezes, air is forced rapidly out through the nose in an attempt to expel a foreign body. Reverse sneezing, also called paroxysmal respiration, is pretty much exactly the opposite. This...
Lake Sturgeon at the Brink: Will New Protections Save North America’s Living Dinosaurs?
Lake Sturgeon, a species once abundant in North American waters, now finds itself at the center of a complex conservation debate. Indigenous to the vast freshwater systems of the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, and Hudson Bay, Lake Sturgeon have navigated the waters of North America since the time of the dinosaurs, making them a critical part of the continent’s aquatic heritage. As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) approaches a decision on whether to list the species under the Endangered Species Act, various stakeholders brace...
Emaciated Dog With Several Health Issues Needs Your Help To Heal
Meet Marlon. Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston received a call from a local shelter to help save an emaciated five-year-old Boston terrier in poor health. Photo: Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston The sweet boy arrived as a stray extremely underweight with bloody diarrhea, significant hair loss on his face, and a skin mass on his right elbow. He was pale, weak, and needed immediate medical care. He was brought to a local vet clinic where he was started on medication for his upset stomach and is receiving daily medicated baths to...
Stray Cat With Bleeding Eye Cried Out In Pain Until Someone Came To His Aid
Meet Caramel. He has had a tough life as a stray cat living on the streets of Greece. There are millions of stray animals searching for food and a safe place to rest. Caramel lost an eye which healed poorly and developed an infection. When his other eye started to bleed, he took shelter by a building and cried out in pain until a passerby stopped to help. Photo: Greater Good Charities He was rushed to a local veterinary hospital where they started him on pain medicine as they examined him. The poor feline needs surgery to give him the best...
Birdwatching for Cats: The Ultimate Guide to Feline Enrichment
Cats are natural-born hunters, so they’re captivated by the movement, sounds, and sheer unpredictability of birds. Even the most pampered housecat has deeply ingrained instincts to stalk, chase, and pounce. Unfortunately, indoor life often doesn’t usually provide enough opportunities to satisfy these urges. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and even destructive behaviors. Birdwatching for cats can provide your feline friend with opportunities to safely observe birds, offering a world of mental stimulation and enrichment....
It’s Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week!
Celebrate National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week this April 14-20, 2024! It’s a week when communities are encouraged to learn about what the job of animal control really entails and to be grateful for those who do them. We thought it fitting to highlight the excellent Maddie’s® University course authored by National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), “NACA Field Services Series: Canine Behavior in the Field.” This course first focuses on understanding what a dog may be communicating through...
California Moves to Outlaw Octopus Farms, Prioritizing Compassion Over Cruelty
California is poised to become a leader in animal welfare with its consideration of a ban on octopus farming, a practice that raises significant ethical and environmental concerns. This comes amidst growing evidence about the sentience and complex needs of octopuses, sparking debates about the appropriateness of their cultivation for food. Photo: PexelsCalifornia is considering a ban on octopus farming. Ethical Considerations and Animal Welfare The initiative to outlaw octopus farming in California is driven by concerns over the...
Firefighters Chisel Through Wall To Rescue Cat Who Does Not Appear Grateful
Cats are notorious for their curiosity and getting themselves trapped in difficult spaces. While most felines are relieved when they are rescued from a high tree or small space, one calico cat does not look happy to have been found. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service responded to a call about a cat trapped in a wall. They wrote, “Between a wall and a hard place – literally! Our crews from Preston safely rescued this curious cat from their tight squeeze earlier this week.” They carefully chiseled through a wall to free the...
Surrogate Sea Otter Mothers Offer Lifeline to Endangered Pups
The Aquarium of the Pacific recently introduced a pioneering initiative in its history: pairing an orphaned sea otter pup with a surrogate mother. This initiative marks a potential turning point for the southern sea otter, a species that has struggled to recover from near extinction. Southern sea otters, now a protected species, faced drastic declines due to excessive hunting, reducing their numbers to as few as 50 in 1938. However, protective measures have enabled their numbers to swell to around 3,000 today, reports the Sacramento Bee....
