Maine Police Puppy Experiences Pup Cup Treat For First Time In Viral Video
York Police Department in Maine recently added a new member to their crew, a chocolate Labrador puppy named Major. He is the official comfort dog who is already hard at work spreading joy, even though he is still in training. His handler/dad, Officer Michael Taddei, is making sure he is properly socialized by bringing him to local event and schools to meet people in the community. He is obviously a big hit, and he exerts all of his puppy energy meeting new people. @majortheyorkcomfortdog We’re on TikTok! Introducing Major, the latest...
Owning A Dog Reduces Risk of Dementia In Old Age By 40%, According To Researchers
There are several health benefits to owning a dog. Taking them for a walk helps lower blood pressure and build strength, while a play session reduces depression and brings a smile to our face. But that’s not all. More studies are being conducted to see how else our furry companions enhance our lives. A recent study in Japan found that they may also reduce our risk of developing dementia as we get older. Photo: Pexels/King Hang Leung Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology conducted a four-year study that monitored...
Mali, Known as World’s Saddest Elephant, Dies After 45 Years in Manila Zoo
Mali, an Asian elephant once known as the “world’s saddest elephant,” has passed away after spending nearly half a century in captivity at the Manila Zoo. Her death, announced by Mayor Honey Lacuna, marks the end of a life marked by controversy and calls for her freedom. Photo: PexelsElephants in zoos often live in enclosures far smaller than their natural habitat. Decades of Solitude Born Vishwa Ma’ali, Mali was transferred from Sri Lanka to the Philippines as a young calf in 1977. For most of her 45 years at the...
There’s Likely a Better Way to Get Lost Pets Home: Public RTH
Traditionally, a return-to-home (RTH) takes place when a family arrives at the shelter to be reunited with a lost companion, or whenever animal services have made it a priority for field officers to take pets home vs. bring them straight to the shelter. There is another way shelters can facilitate RTH, which HASS data indicates is likely to be even more effective—working with finders of lost pets in the community and avoiding shelter custody altogether. Where this has been tested in HASS pilot communities, we are seeing that...
Lessons from Earth’s History Shed Light On Imminent Oceanic Crisis
The Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction event, a catastrophic period that occurred around 200 million years ago, is shedding light on current ocean deoxygenation issues. A recent study in Nature Geosciences reveals startling similarities between past and present marine ecosystem vulnerabilities. This research serves as a crucial warning: our oceans may be teetering on the brink of a crisis akin to historical mass extinctions. Photo: PexelsOverfishing is depleting fish populations faster than they can replenish. History Repeating: The Role of...
Let’s Get Out of the Way of Getting Pets into Homes
Over the last few months, 12 HASS pilot shelters took a deep dive review into their shelter operations and programs, aiming to identify any lingering barriers to positive outcomes as part of a formal Competitive Pet Placement project. An initiative supported by PetSmart Charities, the goal is to make sure animal shelters are not making it harder for people to adopt and foster than it ought to be—and to make it easier for pets to get into homes. HASS trainer, Jenifer Reed with Onyx. Throughout the beginning stages of this process, the...
Tackling Obesity in Dogs and Cats — With Simple Low-Cal Recipes to Try
Find out why obesity is so bad for your dog or cat, and help her lose weight by addressing exercise and diet, including some nutritious low-calorie recipes. Obesity in dogs and cats has reached an all-time high. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention states that more than 50% of our dogs are overweight. Meanwhile, 25% of cats in the Western world are overweight, according to the United States National Research Council. Let’s look at the signs of obesity in dogs and cats, and why it’s so bad for their health. We’ll also...
The next Maddie’s Insights will cover the Family Bondedness Scale
Join us on December 14th for the next webcast in the Maddie’s® Insights series, “The Development of and Research on the Family Bondedness Scale.” This one hour event will be presented by William M. Nugent, PhD, Professor at the College of Social Work, The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. The Family Bondedness Scale (FBS) was designed to measure scores which represent the degree to which a person is emotionally and affectionately bonded to a pet as a member of their family. This presentation will cover...
Americans Are Twice As Likely To Own Dogs Over Cats, Study Finds
Are you a cat person or a dog person? This is the common question Compare the Market AU, pet insurance experts, asked thousands of people in USA, Australia, and Canada to see, “what makes dog and cat people tick.” While there is no wrong answer, there was a clear winner when it comes to pets in these three countries – dogs. Photo: Pixabay/Scott The Results The study of over 3,000 people found that dogs are the preferred pet over cats and other animals, especially in USA. The results are in and 58.8% of Americans are...
Axolotl Conservation Efforts Intensify Amidst Rising Threats in Mexico City
The axolotl, a unique amphibian native to the waters of Mexico, now faces a grave threat to its existence. Renowned for its extraordinary regenerative abilities and distinctive features, this creature has become a symbol of biological intrigue and cultural significance. However, alarming statistics reveal a dire situation: in less than two decades, the axolotl population in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City, has plummeted by an astounding 99.5%,reports Common Dreams. Photo: PexelsAxolotls are a type of salamander native to Mexico. The AdoptAxolotl...
