What we learned about access to care at Animal Care Expo 2026
At this year’s Animal Care Expo, Maddie’s Fund partnered with the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to present an interactive booth centered around access to veterinary and behavior care. As a result, hundreds of attendees shared their experiences, perspectives and ideas of both the challenges and opportunities facing animal well-being organizations across the country. Survey note: These responses were collected from Animal Care Expo 2026 attendees who chose to participate and are intended to provide a snapshot of perspectives...
Heatstroke in Dogs: Approaches to Summer Safety
When summer temperatures rise, one of the biggest threats to your dog’s health is heatstroke. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs your full attention. Let’s explore how you can support your dog’s well-being during hot weather. Here’s what you need to know. Understanding the Risk Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do. They rely mostly on panting to cool down, which makes them much more vulnerable to overheating. Brachycephalic breeds — like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers — are especially...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day, Community Conversations is moving and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. July 10 was Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day!July 10 is Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day. Dr. Miller is known for her trailblazing leadership and purposeful dedication to the field of veterinary shelter medicine. If you are one of the millions of people that have adopted a dog or cat over the last three decades, you have Dr. Miller to thank.… Learn More Weekly Community ConversationsWe’re taking July off. See you Wednesday, August 5!Register now...
Recurrent Ear Infection in Dogs and the Yeast Connection
If your dog is constantly shaking their head, scratching at their ears, or leaving behind a funky smell, you already know how frustrating ear problems can be. What many dog parents don’t realize is that what’s happening inside your dog’s body may be just as important as what’s going on inside their ears. The Yeast Connection Yeast naturally lives on your dog’s skin and in their ears. Under normal conditions, it stays balanced and causes no harm. But when the body’s internal environment shifts —...
Retinal Degeneration: Is Your Cat’s Diet Stealing Their Vision?
Most cat parents spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into their cat’s food bowl. But did you know that poor nutrition can actually cause your cat to slowly lose their vision? It’s true — and it’s one of the most overlooked connections in feline health. What Is Retinal Degeneration? The retina is the part of the eye that receives light and sends visual signals to the brain. When the retina begins to break down, cats can experience serious vision loss — and eventually go blind. While some forms of retinal...
Is Your Dog Spinning, Licking, or Pacing? It Could Be More Than a Quirk
If you’ve ever watched your dog chase their tail for the fifth time in a row, lick the same spot on their leg until it’s raw, or snap at invisible flies — you may have laughed it off as a funny personality trait. But what if these canine obsessive compulsive behaviors are actually a signal that your dog is struggling? Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors (OCBs) in dogs are more common than most people realize — and they deserve your attention. What Are Canine Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors? OCBs are repetitive behaviors that...
What Is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)?
If you share your home with a cat, you may have heard the term Feline Infectious Peritonitis, or FIP. It sounds scary — and it can be. Here’s what you need to know about this serious disease. What Is FIP? FIP is a severe and potentially fatal disease in cats. It begins with a very common virus called Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FCoV). This virus is widespread and, on its own, usually causes little to no harm. Many cats carry it without ever getting seriously ill — it may only cause mild stomach upset or no signs at...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Community Conversations is moving, lost pet prevention courses and more!
Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Community Conversations is moving to Wednesdays!Mark your calendars! We’re excited to share that Maddie’s® Community Conversations will now be held on Wednesdays at 11am PT/ 2pm PT starting August 5! These webcasts will continue to be a collaborative place to connect with peers in the animal well-being industry, share exciting new programs and research on a variety of topics including foster, access… Learn More Lost pet prevention...
Fascia and Connective Tissue Health Is the Hidden Key to Your Dog’s Mobility
When dog parents think about keeping their dog moving well, they think about joints. Joint supplements line the shelves at pet stores, and arthritis is a common topic at the vet’s office. But there’s another important part of your dog’s body that rarely gets talked about — fascia — and it may play a bigger role in how your dog moves than you might think. What Is Fascia? Fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue that wraps around and connects muscles, organs, nerves, and bones throughout the entire body. Think...
Nutritional and Herbal Support Strategies for Hormonal Imbalances in Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, you may feel overwhelmed. While your veterinarian will guide your dog’s medical treatment, there are natural and nutritional strategies that may help support your dog’s overall health alongside conventional care. Understanding Hormonal Imbalances in Dogs Hormonal imbalances in dogs can involve several glands and systems in the body. Common conditions include hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), Cushing’s disease (too much cortisol), Addison’s disease (too...
