How to Trim Dog Paw Hair
Is your dog sliding across the floor? Or coming inside with ice balls stuck between his toes? Sounds like he’s overdue for a paw hair trim! Head to the groomers for a professional job, or try your hand at trimming dog paw hair yourself. How to trim dog hair between paws yourself Kathy McFall, certified professional pet groomer and owner of Kathy’s Pet Salon, recommends starting with ballpoint scissors (or a small electric razor) and a slicker brush. Here are Kathy’s paw hair-trimming tips: Step 1. Lay small dogs on your lap...
Visiting a Cat Café in the Happiest Country in the World
For the past five years, Finland has ranked number one in world happiness reports. Are the country’s cats as happy as their human counterparts? I wanted to find out, so on a visit to Finland last summer, I dropped into the Helkatti Cat Café in downtown Helsinki. There are three cat cafés in Finland – that may not seem like much, but it’s not bad for a small country with a population of only 5.6 million, along with strict laws concerning animals and food prep. All three of Finland’s cat cafés are...
Pangolins: Shy, Unique, Toothless Mammals Facing Extinction Due to Illegal Trade
Pangolins, the shy and elusive mammals with reptilian appearances, have existed on Earth for about 60 million years. These unique, toothless creatures feed on ants and termites, using their sticky tongues to pick up food, A-Z Animals reports. They are nocturnal animals that lead solitary lives, coming together only during mating season. Their bodies are covered in scales, which serve as a natural shield from predators. When threatened, they have the ability to quickly roll into a tight ball and use their sharp-scaled tails to defend...
Netizens Applauded the Firefighters Who Rescued an Elk That Fell in an Ice Pond
People who continue to serve the community with courage and dedication to ensure everyone’s safety are modern day heroes. It’s only right to applaud them, especially when they rescue others amidst a perilous situation. Firefighters are one of those heroes that need to be recognized. Even though they say it’s just part of their job, it’s still inspiring how they chose a line of work that could harm them. They have saved countless people from fires, transported citizens to the hospital, and rescued those trapped in...
Register now for the free Spring 2023 Shelter Summit!
If you’re looking to create change at your shelter, but unsure on where to begin, Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge Learniverse Spring 2023 Shelter Summit and Fast Tracks may be the opportunity you’re looking for. The half-day, live online summit on March 14, 2023 from 9AM PT – 12:30PM PT, will focus on five topics: Coordinated Care, Capacity for Care, Shelter Software & Data, Barrier Busting and Outcome Decisions. After the Summit, you can choose one or more of the five topics to continue learning and start...
3-Year-Old English Setter Has World’s Longest Dog Tongue
A dog’s tongue can impact the sound of his bark, help him groom, and help him cool down on a hot day with some panting. One dog’s tongue has also earned him a place in the record books. Three-year-old English Setter Bisbee’s tongue was recently named the longest on a living dog, measuring in at 9.49 centimeters, or 3.74 inches. The measurement starts at the tip of the snout, going out to the tip of the tongue, and a qualified vet must perform the measurement to count. Bisbee’s humans, Jay and Ericka Johnson, had...
Two Senior Cats Become Smitten with Each Other
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! Carmen was found dumped in a culvert with her five siblings by a nice medic who worked with my husband. We brought her into our home to help take away some of the stress of bottle feeding five kittens who hadn’t even opened their eyes yet. CATS. PHOTO: PIXABAY / PETER JUNG We like to say that Carmen was raised by my King Shepherd, who simply adored her. As Carmen grew, her pure...
A Sweet, Chunky Moo Cow Named Spot Would Like You to Consider Adopting Him to Share Fun and Adventures With
Meet Spot. A sweet cow of a boy that is still searching for his forever home while he waits at Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson. It’s been a while now, and the staff there are all pretty stumped as to why this big meatball hasn’t been scooped up and adopted yet. Who doesn’t want a magnificent house hippo who resembles a dairy cow to share their life with? It just doesn’t make sense. Spot has been waiting for a home for a long time now, but he’s a patient kind of guy and remains optimistic that there is a family...
Dug Up at Dogster: March 2023 Dog Events and Dog Holidays
March is full of dog events and pet expos that your whole family can enjoy! This month, one organization I’d like to highlight is Vet Set Go, which is holding an essay contest for middle school students to win a scholarship prize package for Auburn University Junior Veterinary Camp in Alabama over the summer. The deadline to enter is March 31. This program is part of a larger effort to bring a younger generation into the veterinary workplace to meet the demand of the growing number of pet parents and need for...
Shelter Dog Smiles Every Time Someone Calls Her Pretty
Girls of all ages (and species) like to be called pretty. However, the way one New York shelter dog responds will melt your heart. Ivory is a one-year-old pit bull mix that is looking for a loving home with older children or with her being the only child. She is as sweet as she looks and has been patiently waiting for someone to adopt her at Animal Care Centers of NYC. Photo: Animal Care Centers of NYC According to her bio, she loves to go for walks but will need slow introductions to new places and people. “This is my favorite little...
Capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, Finally Bans Dog Meat Trade
Dogs are man’s best friend and are viewed as members of the family by many countries. Sadly, there are still some countries which allow these loyal companions to be slaughtered for meat. Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), a group of animal rights organizations, has been working for years to end the cruel dog meat trade in Indonesia. They shared, “Every year, an estimated 1 million dogs are brutally captured and transported throughout Indonesia, crammed into sacks and cages, their mouths bound shut so tightly they can hardly...
Case Management: Make It Your Animal Shelter’s Superpower!
“Case management” for pets housed in your shelter may sound new—but don’t worry, your organization is already doing it! Strengthened awareness helps you practice this care model more skillfully. What is it? Case management is the umbrella term for work done to recognize and serve individual pets in institutional settings, meet their unique needs, and match them with good homes. When you take a shelter dog on a walk, snap a flattering photo of them, or craft their online biography, you fulfill responsibilities as that...
Should I Shave My Dog?
What groomers refer to as “clipping” (and pet parents call “shaving”) a dog’s hair, can keep your dog cooler, but up to a certain length. Taking the coat right down to the skin has the opposite effect as the coat helps to regulate body temperature. It also protects your dog’s sensitive skin from the sunburns and pests. Which dog breeds should not be shaved According to Nicole Kalish, education manager at Andis, most double-coated, shedding dogs should not be shaved. These dog breeds include: “Often,...
Tiny Bulldog Puppy Throws Massive Tantrum For Mom
It’s not just human moms who deal with attitudes and tantrums. Some animals have to go through that as well, including a mama dog named Patches. You see, her puppy, Elvis, has quite an attitude and he’s not afraid to show it. He even breaks out in massive tantrums from time to time! Photo: YouTube/Mary Ellen Brixey One of those tantrums happened to be filmed by Mary Ellen Brixey and her husband, Rob, who were quick to share the hilarious clip on YouTube. In the video description, Mary said, “Elvis gives Patches a few choice...
Woman Pretends She’s On The Phone And Name-Drops All Her Dogs Favorite Things
If you’ve spent much time on TikTok, you probably remember the trend a while back where people would make a fake phone call and record their dog’s reaction. The goal was to say words that your pup loves the most and name-drop his or her favorite things to see if they pick up on them. Many people have taken part in the challenge, but it seems it’s being revitalized thanks to a woman named Ciee. Photo: TikTok/@cierraazhane Ciee (TikTok user @cierraazhane) recently did her own version of the challenge where she pretended to...
Husky And Horse Play In The Snow Together For The Very First Time
A pained horse and a Siberian husky found an unusual way to bond: over their love of snow! Frosty a painted horse and Kaia a husky got to enjoy their very first snow day together and it did not disappoint. Photo: Reddit/u/Outside-Glove-1147 Reddit user u/Outside-Glove-1147 shared a video of the sweet encounter, saying: “Kaia (the husky) seeing her cousin Frosty (the horse) during their favorite time of the year.” “We couldn’t believe our eyes when they started having the zoomies together!” they added. Photo:...
Size Doesn’t Matter in Friendship: Cow and Cat Show the World that They’re Best Buddies
“A few months ago, I was talking to my mom on the phone, and she told me how Daisy and Major were buddies, and I knew instantly if I got this video, it would go viral. I recorded the video in the morning when I was milking the cow. Every morning the cat comes to see the cow and have a cuddle,” Brian, a 25-year-old student in Kenya, shared with Newsweek. Imagine that, a cat who loves cuddles. Often, we think of cats as mysterious and aloof creatures. However, in an Oregon State University study, it shows that cats can form bonds...
New Map Shows ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in More Than 330 Different Wildlife Species
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, do not break down in typical environmental conditions. This has earned them the moniker “forever chemicals.” Found far and wide, they’ve been linked with health issues including immune system suppression, cancer, and increased cholesterol levels. A new study has shown just how broad their impact is, with hundreds of animals contaminated. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research organization, has released an analysis of more than 100 recent...
The Most Common Disorder Among Cats is Gum Disease, and it’s No Laughing Matter
By this point in time, we all know that pets can and do suffer from dental problems just like humans. With February being National Pet Dental Health Month, it bears reminding cat owners that gum disease is the most common disorder among felines. Not kidney disease or obesity, the latter of which accounts for a startling 11.58 percent of medical issues among putty tats. According to the Daily Mail, veterinarians collected data from a random sample of 18,249 cats in the U.K. and gum disease topped the list as the most common disorder at 15.23...
Missing Cat Found 6 Years Later After Her Family Moved From London To Australia
Dealing with a missing cat is incredibly stressful. You can’t be certain if they’re ok or if you’ll ever see them again, and it’s easy to feel powerless in those situations. It’s a situation a British family of five found themselves in when their 18-month-old kitten, Tallulah, went missing back in 2017. Photo: Pexels/Charles Pragnell The kitten seemingly wandered freely from their London home and simply didn’t return one day. According to the New York Post, 45-year-old Lisa Gregory looked high and low for...
