A study published this month finds most purebred dogs are highly inbred and unhealthy as a result:
[G]enetic analysis of 227 breeds found an average inbreeding rate of 25%. That’s the equivalent of sharing the same genetic material with a full sibling.
[…]
“Data from other species, combined with strong breed predispositions to complex diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases, highlight the relevance of high inbreeding in dogs to their health,” [Danika] Bannasch, a veterinary geneticist at the University of California, Davis, said in a school news release.
https://consumer.healthday.com/b-12-7-most-dog-breeds-are-highly-inbred-study-confirms-2655916323.html
In October, a dog named Nina suffered a broken back after being hit by a car in Lexington, North Carolina. A Lexington animal control officer directed the owner to take Nina to a vet. Instead, the owner reportedly put Nina in the crawlspace under the house and left her there without food or water. A week later, animal control followed up, found the dog, seized her and brought her to the Davidson County Animal Alliance where she was euthanized. The owner was arrested, charged with felony cruelty and released on $1000 bond. The case was scheduled for court this week.
A family in South Africa noticed their cats seemed overly mesmerized by the Christmas tree. Thinking that a mouse might have climbed the tree, they looked at the area where the cats were focused and saw a boomslang – a highly venomous snake. A professional snake remover was able to get the snake out of the tree and release him safely.
Britain has more than 2000 species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Among them is the large marsh grasshopper, currently receiving support from citizen conservationists under a crowdsourced rewilding plan initiated by Citizen Zoo:
After a crash course in grasshopper husbandry, an initial group of about a dozen zookeepers were given a kit that included between 30 and 50 eggs, a heat-emitting incandescent bulb, and a glass enclosure. For the volunteer keepers—so far including retired wildlife professionals, a mother of two eager kids, and corporate teams raising a brood together in an office block—each day requires little more than incubating and collecting food.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/citizen-zoo-rewilding-uk
Those raising the broods release them into the wild every month or so in an effort to help the species rebuild sustainable populations.
An actual treat: Early next year, CLIF bars will enter the pet market with three plant based jerky treats for dogs:
The initial launch will include three formulas: Sweet Potato & Blueberry Recipe, Pumpkin & Apple Recipe, and Butternut Squash & Cranberry Recipe. Each recipe is formulated with seven ingredients and promotes easy digestion, according to Clif Bar.
https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/15346-clif-bar-enters-pet-category-with-plant-based-dog-snacks