The Reason Cats Have Vertical Pupils
If you’ve spent any time gazing into your cat’s eyes — and be honest, I’m sure you have — you probably noticed one of the most unique and beautiful feline features. Cats have vertical pupils, which narrow their eyes into slits in bright light and pair with their naturally reflective Tapetum lucidum to make a striking effect in the dark as well. The reason for this feature is an interesting one. Photo: Max Pixel In a TED-Ed lesson written by Emma Bryce and animated by Iván Tamás, narrator Alexandra...
Feral Cat Rescued at Mosque Hisses at Everyone Except Her Fur Mom
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! First, my cat Bella passed away in October 2014. Then in early December 2014, my dog Cuddles passed away. I didn’t know how I would cope; Bella had been with me for 19 years and Cuddles was with me for 14 years. My other cat Stalker was moping around alongside me. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / PEXELS My dad attends a mosque locally. The mosque has a pack of feral cats that they feed and...
Small Gardens Provide Big Benefits for Bees, Study Finds
Pollinators help produce nearly 80% of the crops grown throughout the world, including almost all of the fruit and grain crops in the United States. They also contribute to cleaner air, water, and soil. Unfortunately, with pollinators facing threats including habitat loss and pesticides, their important work is at risk. However, a new study finds that your small garden may be of some help. Researchers at the University of Bristol investigated the nectar content in more than 50 urban gardens to better understand how they serve as a food source...
Veteran Police Dog Given Heroes’ Farewell Before Crossing The Rainbow Bridge
K-9 Grimm, a veteran police dog, has helped keep Boston safe throughout his ten years on the force. According to Boston.com, these efforts included scouring the city for explosives following the Boston Marathon Bombing and the resulting stand-off with suspects. The loyal dog also found missing people, detected drugs, and kept dangerous criminals off the streets. Photo: Facebook/Andover MA Police Department But despite years of always getting the bad guys, K-9 Grimm finally encountered an obstacle he couldn’t beat. According to the...
‘Weird, Awkward’ Dog Dumped at Shelter Finds New Home
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! I like to look at Petfinder sometimes, just for fun. One day, I was sitting in a boring college class, and I came across his little face. He was listed as a pekingese, but he’s actually a Japanese Chin, and his name was Lawrence. He was scheduled to be euthanized due to mange. DOG. PHOTO: PIXABAY / DEJANZKI There was just something about his little face, the way he stared so...
Dog Escapes From San Diego Apartment Fire Unharmed – A Real Life Miracle
Miracles happen every day and if you need proof keep reading. Last Friday Jarrett Gautt was heading out to dinner with his family, so he fed his dog Brownie, a 3-year-old border collie mix, and locked the door to his San Diego apartment. He returned to find his ground-floor apartment engulfed in flames. Screenshot: YouTube/ABC 10 News His only thought was he had to save Brownie. Gautt grabbed the fire extinguisher and rushed into his apartment to find his dog, but the flames and smoke were too intense and he had to turn around. “Almost...
Detroit Dog Rescue Plans To Play “Golden Girls” Theme Song Every Time A Dog Is Adopted As A Tribute To Betty White
The first no-kill dog shelter in Detroit is in the process of building a new shelter and plans to honor the late Betty White in more than one way. Detroit Dog Rescue (DDR) thanked their generous followers for participating in the #BettyWhiteChallenge and helping them raise over $10,000 on the animal advocate’s 100th birthday. The shelter posted, “As promised we will be naming, not just our adoption room, but our entire adoption hallway after the legendary Betty White! Our new Detroit Dog Rescue (opening this spring) will be home...
2,000 Hamsters To Be Killed After COVID Outbreak In Hong Kong Pet Shop
Authorities in Hong Kong are planning to kill off as many as 2,000 hamsters and other small mammals due to an outbreak of COVID linked to a pet shop employee. According to the BBC, health officials tested hundreds of animals at the pet shop. Only 11 hamsters at the Little Boss pet shop tested positive, but Hong Kong’s “zero Covid” strategy requires culling any potentially infected animal where there is possibility of animal-to-human Covid transmission. That means animals like rabbits and chinchillas will be culled, despite...
Lead Ammunition is Stunting Bald Eagle Recovery in the Northeast
Bald eagles have come a long way in the past several decades. In fact, their population has more than quadrupled in the lower 48 since 2009. However, a new study finds that there’s a lingering threat that continues to hamper their recovery: lead ammunition. Researchers from Cornell University theorized that lead poisoning was impacting species recovery in the Northeast, and they set out to see if that was true. Their findings, published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, seemed to confirm their suspicions. The data showed that...
Strangers Rally To Help Couple Whose Dog Ran Away While They Were On Vacation
A Michigan couple was vacationing in Florida when they got some devasting news. Their dog, Blue, had escaped from their dog sitter’s house and gone missing. Now the married couple–who do anything for their dog–was desperately worried, unable to help, and over 1,000 miles away. “We were relaxing on the beach, and we got a missed call and a text saying call us urgent,” Ryan Skornicka told Wood 8 TV. “Blue went on a little adventure and ran away.” Photo: Pixabay Unsure of what else to do, Blue’s...
