People, Pets, and Purpose: Derrick Garrett, Founder of Zoundz Music For Pets
[embedded content] Pets get stressed at the vet. They get upset in the car. Being home alone isn’t always a picnic. And of course animal shelters can be one of the most stressful environments for pets, with the noise, smells, and constant activity—and the stress can lead to behavior that makes it harder for pets to get adopted, and can even put their lives at risk. Enter Derrick Garrett. Derrick is a successful music producer and engineer who’s worked with Bobby Brown, the Spin Doctors, Chantay Savage, K-Ci & JoJo, and...
One Health
Understanding the One Health approach, how it connects humans, animals, and the environment, and what it means for your dog or cat. Chances are, you’ve come across references to “One Health” and wondered what it means. This concept has been around since the early years of the 21st century, but what is it all about, and how does it impact your dog or cat? Read on to learn more. One Health 101 According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach...
Roommates Argue Over Vet Bills and a Plant That Poisoned a Cat
Caring for a pet is the main owner’s responsibility, especially in a shared house. Not everyone you live with will have the time to inform themselves about the do’s and don’ts of having an animal at home. You have to inform them about the importance of pet-proofing to avoid potential accidents. They can help you take care of your pet with detailed instructions, but you are ultimately in charge. Communication is vital between roommates — lay down everything that they need to know. Everyone can easily avoid fights,...
Special Thank You to All of Our APA! Volunteers!
Apr 19, 2023 As animal shelters all across the country head into “busy season,” the impact that volunteers make is often underestimated and sometimes overlooked. At Austin Pets Alive!, the people who donate their time and experience to the animals who are fortunate enough to get to APA!, are part of what I consider our “lifeblood. APA! volunteers are here because they love animals, but what sets APA volunteers apart is that while they are here they become experts in animal welfare. They become experts in neonatal kitten...
Groomer Shares What It’s Like To Give Tantrum-Throwing Husky A Bath
Vanessa De Prophetis of Girl With The Dogs recently took to YouTube to share her experience grooming a husky named Link. Let’s just say, Link wasn’t thrilled about the situation. Vanessa owns her own dog grooming business “Perfect Pooches Dog Grooming” in Niagara Falls, Ontario, so she’s quite used to a variety of dogs and temperaments that come into her shop. Photo: YouTube/Girl With The Dogs “This is Link, and if you didn’t get the message, she is, in fact, dying,” Vanessa joked in the video...
Man Who is ‘Terrified of Cats’ Falls in Love with a Stray
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! My boyfriend was terrified of cats, and the first thing I told him when we met was that my dream was to live in a house with cats everywhere! As always, love took over our differences and we were together. One day, my boyfriend sent me a picture of a cat that was roaming in his backyard. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / JORG FIEDLER I always keep a packet of cat food in the kitchen for strays, and I...
Golden Retriever Meets New Friend Who Won’t Stop Staring At Her From The Window
Friendships can form at the most unexpected of moments, which is exactly what happened for a golden retriever in Orange County, California. The dog, Aubrey, was outside her apartment with her owner when something caught her eye: Another dog was staring at her from an apartment above them! Photo: Instagram/@pawbrey_ The two dogs locked eyes and seemed to instantly hit it off, despite the distance. Aubrey and her owner didn’t know it at the time, but it was a moment that would be the start of a beautiful friendship. Photo:...
Calling All Cat Lovers: Floofy Feline Bleu is the All Around Perfect Cat
This is a story about a beautiful floof named Bleu that is pretty much an all-around perfect cat. After surviving for who knows how long on the streets all by her lonesome, this lovely lady is just such a total sweetheart! She loves to snuggle and even allows you to rub her belly when she’s in the mood. When she wants to be picked up, she will outstretch her arms to let you know she’s ready, so there’s no guessing involved with this polite princess. On the flip side, she isn’t needy and can easily keep herself...
“Vodka for Dog People” is More Than Just a Tagline for Tito’s
Vodka for Dog People. That’s what Tito’s Handmade Vodka has labeled their latest canine-oriented endeavor. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the website notes that they’ve been dog people for 25 years way back when it was just Tito and DogJo out at the distillery. Soon, strays started showing up, and since that time, Tito’s has rescued over 120 “distillery dogs” and reportedly supported thousands of animal-focused nonprofits in Austin and further afield. Unless you’re an avid vodka drinker or somehow...
Watch Mischief, a White-Naped Raven, Create Colorful Works of Art
With the right incentive, you can get just about anybody to do just about anything. There are limits, of course, hence the words “just about,” but choosing the right “carrot” really can accomplish almost anything. One of the easiest ways to get animals to do what you want is by rewarding them with treats. It makes it a lot easier if you’re working with creatures known for their critical thinking. Take ravens, for example. Members of the corvid family, ravens, crows, jays, magpies, etc., are among the most...
Engineers Break Down Various “Cat Technology” Of The Past And Future
Cat content has always been popular online, from memes to viral videos and everything in between. Engineer Paul Klusman regularly posts cat-themed videos on YouTube where he boasts over 50,000 followers. Photo: YouTube/klusmanp In a recent video, he debuted “An Engineer’s Guide to Cat Technology of the Future.” “Professional engineers Paul and TJ provide a summary of cat technology and extrapolate to the future. This video was ten years in the making. Getting it done was a big part of my incentive for beating cancer...
Pet Safe Dyes: Tips for Use and Top Brands
It’s trendy to add bright colors to your hair. So why not let your pooch ride this beauty wave, too, with pet-safe dye? You can color-match with your dog for special occasions, seasonal fun and sporting events. Can I use human hair dye on my dog? Is it pet safe? Never use human hair dyes on your dog. Look for dyes manufactured specifically for pets for home use. These typically come in the form of color shampoos, blow pens (you physically blow the color onto your dog) and chalks. “Most pet-safe dyes are known as depositing...
Top 3 Things to Know About Hip and Joint Supplements for Dogs
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
A Man Meets a Roommate, Family, and Best Bud in The Form of a Precious Rabbit
Life happens — it will surprise you in various ways and will make you realize that it won’t go the way you planned everything. Some will be mishaps and hindrances, while others bring the happiness you never thought you needed. You will be led to a person and sometimes an animal. It was never part of your plan to get involved with them yet they changed your life for the better. Those magical first meetings will always be memorable, especially with an animal you did not expect to have at home. The animal suddenly became the...
Is anxiety in your dog’s genes?
Scientists believe anxiety in many dogs is hereditary. If your dog is one of them, what can you do? You tried to do everything right – you socialized your dog, used positive training methods, and fed high quality food. So why is your furry friend still so anxious? According to Finnish scientists, the answer may be in their DNA, since anxiety in dogs is likely hereditary. A Finnish study considered seven anxiety-like traits: noise sensitivity, fearfulness, fear of surfaces and heights, inattention/impulsivity, compulsion, separation...
Customer service course for animal shelters now available in Spanish
Providing excellent customer service at your animal shelter or rescue organization is a vital component of keeping pets and people together. The impact that customer service has on our communities is vast, and whether or not that service is great or poor, can affect your organization. “Customer Service for Animal Shelters” is now available in Spanish as well as English. Part of making an organization more inclusive is offering services, brochures, customer service and more, in a variety of languages. Not only for the community...
She’s The Happiest Little Girl Whenever Gumbo The Goose is With Her
Animals easily go viral online due to informative, entertaining, and heartwarming content. However, some animals become the talk of the town due to their scary personality. You’ll often hear about terrifying wildcats, reptiles, or underwater animals, but geese scare humans as well. There are various footages shared online that show how a goose attacks anyone stepping in their territory. Whether you’re young or old, a goose won’t hesitate to chase you. Photo: Youtube/The Dodo Despite their behavior, geese can identify if a...
Three-Pound Cat with Puncture Wounds and Head Trauma Shows Up in Family’s Yard
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! We adopted two female rescue cats from the local shelter, Gracie May (torbie) and Doobie Doo (tortoise shell). They settled in after two months. One day, we saw them looking out the sun porch window with great interest. Out the kitchen window, I saw a very skinny calico meowing like it was her last chance for survival. Turns out it was! CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / THU VU I went out with food,...
Endangered Giant Otter Triplets Born at U.K. Wildlife Park
Giant otters – native to South America – are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their numbers have dwindled due to factors including poaching, deforestation, overfishing, conflict with fishermen, and issues with hydroelectric dams. A new set of these otters was born recently at a wildlife park, though, which staff hopes will help contribute to conservation. Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the United Kingdom announced last week that in late March, a set of triplets was born to parents Alexandra and Orimar, who also welcomed...
Wildlife Officials Issue Warning About Drunk Birds
Every now and again, people get a little inebriated. However, as wildlife experts warn, birds also occasionally show up to the party a little tipsy. In a recent social media post, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division said it’s the time of year for drunk birds. They explained that in the spring, it’s common for fruit-eating birds like cedar waxwings and American robins to eat fruit that has started to rot and ferment. That fermentation produces alcohol, which can cause the birds to behave much...
