Are dogs replacing children?
Are dogs replacing children in modern society? In many countries, the number of dogs has surged so dramatically that it now surpasses the number of children. Some view this as a clear sign people are choosing dogs over parenthood. But researchers remain uncertain — deeper social and cultural factors may be driving the trend. Professor Enikő Kubinyi, who leads the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University, recently proposed a groundbreaking theory, published in the journal Current Directions in...
7 Red Flags for Dog Health
As a dog parent, you want to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. But sometimes, dogs can’t tell us when something is wrong. Learning to spot warning signs early can make a huge difference in your dog’s health and may even save their life. Here are seven red flags that mean it’s time to call your veterinarian right away. 1. Trouble Breathing If your dog is breathing fast, panting heavily when they shouldn’t be, or making unusual sounds like wheezing or whistling, this is a serious emergency. Watch for a blue tint...
Smarter Supported Self-Rehoming Solutions
[embedded content] Supported self-rehoming enables the community to participate in finding new homes for their pets without having to enter a shelter. However, animal welfare organizations often forget one of the most important pieces of this process—the support! In this webinar, Lauren Rogers, Community Initiatives Manager for San Diego Humane Society, will share strategies for streamlining supported self-rehoming programs and garnering even more community-member buy-in. Source: Human Animal Support...
Your Cat’s Not Obese—It’s Called Primordial Pouch
Have you ever noticed your cat has what looks like a saggy belly that swings when they walk? Don’t worry – your feline friend hasn’t gained weight overnight! What you’re seeing is called a primordial pouch, and it’s completely normal. What Exactly is a Primordial Pouch? The primordial pouch is a flap of loose skin and fat that hangs along your cat’s belly, typically between their hind legs. This natural feature appears in both male and female cats, regardless of whether they’ve been spayed or...
Breaking Down Barriers: Insights into the HASS Competitive Pet Placement Project
[embedded content] Over the last several months, HASS collaborated with a selection of HASS pilot shelters to identify any lingering shelter operation barriers to positive adoption outcomes as part of a formal Competitive Pet Placement (CPP) project. CPP is an initiative supported by PetSmart Charities that aims to make sure animal shelters are not making it harder for people to adopt and foster than it should be—and to make it easier for pets to get into homes. Watch Kate McHugh-Westfall, HASS Embedded Data and Implementation...
Your roadmap to get every cat to where they need to go
Do you want to streamline pathway planning to find the best available outcome for every cat and kitten at your organization? Look no further than Cat Superhighway, a free self-paced course on Maddie’s® University. This course equips animal shelter professionals with the tools to implement or enhance pathway planning for cats and kittens, streamlining their journey to the best possible outcome. Cat Superhighway presents research-backed strategies to reduce length of stay, decrease intake and ensure positive outcomes for all cats....
Brachycephalic dog health problems
Learn about common brachycephalic dog health problems — like breathing issues, allergies, and heat sensitivity — and how to care for your flat-faced pup. French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers have a lot in common. They have hearts of gold and some of the best personalities on earth. These breeds, and those like them, are truly our best friends. But they have something else in common. They’re brachycephalic, which means they’re prone to certain health issues. Let’s look at brachycephalic dog health problems,...
Join us for APA! Adoption Day at Four Hands
Sep 17, 2025 Join us for APA! Adoption Day by Four Hands Austin-based home furnishings leader partners with APA! to support local animals and donate 20% of event-day sales On Saturday, September 20, 2025 join Austin Pets Alive! at the Four Hands South Austin Flagship Showroom for a special day dedicated to saving lives. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can stop by to meet adoptable dogs and cats from Austin Pets Alive!, snap a complimentary pet-and-family headshot, sip coffee from Luna Espresso, and treat their pups to goodies from local...
Ringworm, Not a Worm, and Other Common Fungal Infections in Dogs
Marvel and DC universes have various villains, similar to infections, which also come in different shapes, sizes, and abilities. Among these infectious supervillains, like bacteria and viruses, fungi have their own place—say Poison Ivy from Batman. Fungal infections are often more obstinate and difficult to treat than viral and bacterial infections. This is because fungi can form resistant spores that evade antifungal treatments, they grow more slowly than bacteria making treatment take longer, and they can invade deep tissues, hiding...
Why Should You Scoop the Poop?
Sep 16, 2025 We have been so grateful to receive the Scoop the Poop grant year over year and while the name may sound silly, it is serious business. This grant not only supports the lifesaving work that takes place at APA!, but gives us an opportunity to remind our community just how important it is to Scoop the Poop! Some may think it isn’t such a crime to let your pup do its business and leave that pile behind, but there are actually a number of reasons that leaving that doo-doo is a no-no! Pet waste left behind can spread harmful...
