The August Community Conversations grant recipients are…
Recently, Maddie’s Fund® awarded two organizations, at random, a grant for attending the August Weekly Community Conversations for a total of $10,000 in grants. Please join us in congratulating those who received a $5,000 grant for their organization: Samantha Burnett, Nexus Animals in El Reno, OK Joseph Lovetro, Pets in Need in Redwood City, CA In addition to the Community Conversation grants, one $3,000 grant was awarded for monthly participation on Maddie’s® Pet Forum. Congrats to Christina Bollack from Chilton...
Natural Sleep and Recovery Support for Senior Dogs
TL;DR Senior dogs often face challenges with sleep and recovery due to aging joints, anxiety, and slower body systems. Solutions like herbal supplements (valerian root, chamomile, and turmeric), massage, good nutrition, and calming environments can naturally promote better rest and healing. Always check with your vet before starting any new health routine. As dogs get older, their bodies undergo some significant changes. Like us humans, senior dogs often have trouble falling asleep, staying comfy through the night, or recovering after...
Creating a Calmer Home: 5 Simple Ways to Help Cats and Dogs Relax
Learn simple tricks that can reduce pet stress and help cats and dogs relax and enjoy calmer lives! Occasional fear or tension is a normal part of life for cats and dogs, but ongoing stress can take a toll on both physical and emotional health. Everyday triggers can hide everywhere depending on your dog’s or cat’s breed, age, temperament, experiences, socialization, and genetics. Fortunately, small changes at home can create a calmer environment that makes two- and four-legged family members feel more secure, resilient, and...
Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Selfie Time! (September 14, 2026)
In this article View 10 moreShow less Welcome to our Dogster Weekly Photo Contest, where every other Monday we pick the best three photos from our readers, based on that week’s topic. This week’s topic was “Selfie Time!”, and we received some amazing photos from you. And although every dog is wonderful, we had to pick our winners. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who submitted their dogs to our photo contest! Next topic is: “Saying ‘Hello!’” Do you want to have a chance to get your...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New assessment tool, free Pet Spay/Neuter and Wellness Weekend and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New research and animal needs assessment tool from ASPCAIf you work in animal well-being, you know that families seeking help often have more than one challenge affecting their pets. New research from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) explores how a structured Animal Needs Assessment tool can help community outreach teams identify the multiple, overlapping needs affecting pets… Learn More Free Pet Spay/Neuter and...
Future Tech: Wearable Biosensors in Dogs and Cats
Technology is shifting how we take care of our animals, and one of the coolest developments in the works is wearable biosensor technology. These gadgets can be worn on an animal’s body to monitor their health in real time. But where are we with this tech for our dogs and cats? What Are Wearable Biosensors? So, what exactly are wearable biosensors? Well, they’re tiny devices designed to keep tabs on biological signals from the body. In human healthcare, the common examples include smartwatches tracking heart rates, blood oxygen,...
Elmer & Ernest: The Basset Hound Duo Everyone’s Talking About
Brittany Hudson, a digital marketing professional and content creator living in Cincinnati, first started creating content the way a lot of dog people probably do – by becoming completely convinced that her dog was the funniest, most interesting creature on the internet. In her defense, Elmer made a very strong case… It All Started With Elmer Elmer is a nine-year-old American Basset Hound with the soul of a retired man who has seen too much, eaten too well, and would prefer a slower pace of life with few demands. We brought him...
Antibiotic resistance in wildlife
A recent study suggests red foxes and several common bird species may serve as an early warning system for highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wildlife. Their movements could provide valuable insights for public health officials, veterinarians, and dog and cat parents. Researchers from the University of Parma in Italy discovered that wildlife now carry clinically important antibiotic resistance genes, even in areas where the animals have not been directly exposed to antibiotics. The findings highlight how antimicrobial resistance...
The Hidden Link Between Joint Health and Emotional Well-Being
As dogs and cats age, mobility issues can impact their health and quality of life. Learn about the connection between joint health and emotional well-being. When you think about joint health in dogs and cats, it’s easy to picture the physical side: stiffness, limping, or trouble climbing stairs. But joints do more than help an animal get from A to B. Movement helps them explore, play, interact with their families, and engage with the world around them, so comfortable motion is crucial for quality of life. Read on to learn more about the...
New research and animal needs assessment tool from ASPCA
If you work in animal well-being, you know that families seeking help often have more than one challenge affecting their pets. New research from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) explores how a structured Animal Needs Assessment tool can help community outreach teams identify the multiple, overlapping needs affecting pets and their families, leading to more targeted support. From this research, the ASPCA developed a 10-item Animal Needs Assessment to systematically identify and...
