Probably all of us have seen pleas from rescue groups along the lines of "Rover has been living at the sanctuary for X-hundred days - let's get him adopted." And yet, rescues seem to turn down so many potential adopters for so many reasons. It seems like when we try to talk about the subject, … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

The city of Mobile, Alabama adopted a tethering ordinance in February. In June, a neighbor called animal control to a home where a dog called Pebbles was tied to two trees. The animal control officer reportedly visited the home and left. The next day, the neighbor observed that Pebbles was dead on her tether, apparently … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Researchers studying the heart rates of animals in order to better understand their emotional states have made some fascinating observations: The heart rate of animals increases rapidly when they have aggressive encounters such as fights, and decreases during friendly interactions such as grooming. For example, in greylag geese, the mean heart rate during aggressive interactions increases … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Florida's Indian River lagoon is home to dozens of endangered and threatened species, including manatees who feed on the seagrass. The lagoon has been in decline for years due to development, septic systems, storm water runoff, algae blooms blocking sunlight from the water and warming temperatures from climate change. Over the past ten years, 58% … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

The Indus River dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) is found only in the middle and lower areas of the Indus River in Pakistan. Functionally blind and an endangered species, the last population survey in 2019 found just 1419 dolphins. Men from an area village recently captured a dolphin calf from a stream, bagged him, then carried … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Silver carp image via KY.gov A dog food company called Chippin partnered with a fishery in Kentucky to obtain a non-native species, silver carp, for use as the protein source in its food. In studying three different shapes of pupils in animal eyes, researchers observed that horses and sheep, when lowering their heads to graze, … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Texas - Copperas Cove AC was apparently transferring animals from its kill list to a rescue called Reliant Upon God Activity Center Animal Shelter in Florence.  After a surprise inspection of the rescue facility by the state in March, the county obtained a warrant and seized 89 cats and 1 dog citing poor conditions, improper … Continue reading Treats on the Internets

Texas - An off duty Tyler ACO was reportedly walking his dog past his neighbor's yard where several children were playing.  When the family dog Lulu attempted to greet the ACO, he shot her to death, claiming he feared for his life.  Police are investigating.  (Some readers may recall Tyler as one of the cities … Continue reading Treats on the Internets