The link between animal abuse and human violence and its impact on animal protection laws
If you are a regular reader of this blog, I’m sure I don’t have to explain the human-animal bond. According to an AVMA survey, 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners consider their pets to be family members. Studies show that sharing our lives with pets can have...
DNR says Michiganders shouldn’t leave bird feeders outside as bird flu cases rise
The Department of Natural Resources is advising Michigan residents to take down their bird feeders and bird baths as bird flu cases begin to rise in the state. As the Detroit Free Press shares, birds tend to flock to Michigan in April and May as they migrate through...
Guinness World Records confirms oldest dog alive is a chihuahua named TobyKeith
The current oldest dog alive could legally go bar hopping with you if he were human. TobyKeith, a chihuahua named after the famous country singer, was 21 years and 66 days old when Guinness World Records confirmed the milestone on March 16 of this year. The senior dog...
Learn 4 low-cost ways to improve quality of life for shelter animals
Even in the best shelter environments, animals experience an incredible amount of stress and anxiety. While some animals may enter the shelter system struggling with pre-existing behavior issues, others come in healthy but begin to display problematic behaviors...
40 years of being an animal shelter veterinarian
For much of my veterinary career, I have been involved in the various aspects of sheltering. I learned early on that I was not a good business person and after three years of practicing small animal and equine medicine in my own practice, I ended up with 7 horses as...
Importance of local laws to animal welfare
Much of Michigan Humane’s legislative advocacy work is focused on state legislation. But there are some issues that are not likely to gain statewide support, at least not initially. There are many animal-related concerns that are seen as matters more appropriate for...
Polish veterinary clinic treating wounded pets from Ukraine
A Polish veterinary clinic in the border city of Przemysl is treating wounded animals and owned pets from Ukraine. As the Associated Press reports (via Republic World), the clinic has opened temporary medical centers and housing for the influx of pets from refugees...
Three out of four dogs in UK suffering from mental health issues, study says
Humans aren't the only ones suffering from mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly three out of four dogs in the United Kingdom display signs of anxiety or depression according to a recent study. As Yahoo shares, the research was done by Guide...
A bomb-sniffing dog in Ukraine has helped disarm at least 90 explosives
A brave bomb-sniffing dog is being heralded as a hero in Ukraine for detecting explosives and saving lives during Russia's invasion of the country. As Newsweek reports, Patron is a 2-year-old Jack Russell employed by the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine, the...
Owning a pet can be good for your brain, study says
Adding a pet to your life can help boost your brain power according to a recent study. As CNN reports, the study supports the theory that owning a companion animal can delay the effects of cognitive decline, including memory loss. “To our knowledge, our study is the...
