Animal Shelters In The D.C. Metropolitan Area (DMV) Are Overcrowded And Need Your Help

Animal shelters in the D.C. metropolitan area (DMV) are overcrowded due to increased pet surrenders, reduced spay/neuter services, and informal breeding, leading to high numbers of dogs and cats needing homes. Shelters like the 

Montgomery County Animal Shelter, DC's Humane Rescue Alliance Humane Rescue Alliance and The Prince George's County Animal Services Division are experiencing capacity issues, necessitating urgent calls for community support through adoption and fostering. 

                                                 Why Shelters Are Overcrowded

Increased Surrenders:

A significant increase in pet surrenders has been noted across the DMV, partly due to economic hardships and people returning to work after the pandemic. 

COVID-Related Trends:

The pandemic saw a surge in pet adoptions, but this was followed by a period where people returned to work, impacting their ability to care for their pets, and now shelter numbers are rising. 

Reduced Spay/Neuter Efforts:

A decline in spay and neuter activities during the COVID years contributed to the current spike in animal populations. 

Backyard Breeding:

A rise in informal or "backyard" breeding has also contributed to the surplus of animals entering shelters. 

                                                            How You Can Help

Adopt:

Adopting an animal helps alleviate overcrowding and frees up space for other animals in need. 

Foster:

Fostering an animal provides it with a temporary home and helps the shelters manage their capacity. 

Volunteer:

Contributing your time to local animal shelters can help with dog walks, training, and other care duties. 

Educate:

Spread awareness about the issue of shelter overcrowding and the importance of responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering. 

Reunite Lost Pets:

Before bringing a found pet to a shelter, try to reunite it with its owner first, as this can help reduce shelter intake.

“ADOPT DON’T SHOP”

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Gladys Is A Mom See Photos Of New Baby After Cincinnati Zoo Gorilla Gives Birth

Gladys, a 12-year-old gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo, gave birth to a male baby gorilla at 8:32 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Mom and baby are doing well, according to the zoo. This is Gladys’ first baby and the 51st gorilla born at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

To read more on this story, click HERE  

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Vomiting and Diarrhea in Cats

Cats often vomit or develop diarrhea, when should we treat? The reason for the vomiting or diarrhea may be simple, such as a hairball, however the cause could be more serious. Whether the symptoms stop on their own, or whether your cat needs to see a vet, will depend on how he or she is in themselves and what the vomit or diarrhea looks like.

To read more on this story, click here: Vomiting and diarrhea in cats

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Man Spends Almost $23,000 on Realistic Costume to Fulfill his Dream of Becoming a Wolf

 

An unnamed man spent almost $23,000 on a wolf costume to fulfill his dream of becoming the carnivorous animal.

The man reportedly contacted Zeppet, a Japanese special modeling company, to create an ultra-realistic wolf suit, spending 3 million yen (approximately $22,700) to be transformed into the gray-furred canine.

“Because of my love for animals since childhood and some realistic animal suits appearing on TV, I dreamed of ‘being one someday,’” the man told Zeppet.

To read more on this story, click here: Man Spends Almost $23,000 on Realistic Costume to Fulfill His Dream of Becoming a Wolf

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Man spends almost $23,000 on realistic costume to fulfill his dream of becoming a wolf

An unnamed man spent almost $23,000 on a wolf costume to fulfill his dream of becoming the carnivorous animal.

The man reportedly contacted Zeppet, a Japanese special modeling company, to create an ultra-realistic wolf suit, spending 3 million yen (approximately $22,700) to be transformed into the gray-furred canine.

“Because of my love for animals since childhood and some realistic animal suits appearing on TV, I dreamed of ‘being one someday,’” the man told Zeppet.

To read more on this story, click here: Man spends almost $23,000 on realistic costume to fulfill his dream of becoming a wolf

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Hair Loss on Hind Legs in Cats

A cat losing hair on its hind legs is cause for concern. It's normal for a cat to be shedding, but sudden loss or thinning of hair on the back legs is not. Hair loss in cats, also known as alopecia, can be caused by a variety of issues from fleas, allergies, a bacterial infection, or stress, all of which are problems that must be addressed. Know the difference between normal shedding and abnormal hair loss so you can react appropriately.

To read more on this story, click here: Hair Loss on Hind Legs in Cats

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‘A SENSE OF RELIEF’: Meals on Wheels offers pet care assistance to clients

HANCOCK COUNTY — Peggy McConnell was moved to tears when she opened her Meals on Wheels delivery a couple months ago.

It wasn’t the sight of the food that made her emotional, but the flyer attached on top, announcing that Meals on Wheels of Hancock County would start offering financial assistance for pet food, veterinary care and pet boarding.

To read more on this story, click here: ‘A SENSE OF RELIEF’: Meals on Wheels offers pet care assistance to clients

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Can cats have twins? We asked a vet!

Unneutered cats are prolific breeders when left to their own devices, with females often becoming pregnant from multiple fathers. One of our readers asked us whether kittens from the same litter can be twins, and we asked Dr. Hannah Godfrey for an answer. So, can cats have twins?

Twins in cats

Wikipedia defines twins as two animals born during the same pregnancy. If we go by their definition, all kittens born in the same litter are technically twins, so cats can indeed have twins. But this is not the end of the story ..

To read more on this story, click here: Can cats have twins? We asked a vet!

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Animals and COVID-19

What You Need to Know

•  The risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people is low.

•  The virus can spread from people to animals during close contact.

•  More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.
• People with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

To read more on this story, click here: Animals and COVID-19

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Gimme Five! Five Animal Bills Pass The Maryland General Assembly in 2022

Five Animal Bills Pass the Maryland General Assembly in 2022

Thanks to YOU, our dedicated team of advocates, organizations, and legislators, 2022 was a HISTORIC year for animals in Maryland! FIVE bills passed that greatly improve the welfare of animals in our state. In a definitive show of support for animal welfare in Maryland and beyond, Governor Hogan has signed all five bills.

Cat Declaw Prohibition (SB67/HB22) Senator Cheryl Kagan/Delegate Lorig Charkoudian Maryland becomes the second state to ban this cruel and painful procedure except in medically necessary circumstances that involve the health of the cat. New York outlawed elective declawing in 2019. Fourteen US cities have banned the practice including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. Elective declawing is illegal in most of Europe as well as in Brazil, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand.

To read more on this story, click here: Gimme Five! Five Animal Bills Pass The Maryland General Assembly in 2022

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Adults Cringed At Kitty Too “Terrifying” To Look At So Little Girl Stepped Up

A tiny kitten was abandoned on the cruel streets of Istanbul. She eked out a living in an Istanbul alleyway, where she tried to survive as best as she could. Although other strays were able to benefit from passers-by, this kitten was completely neglected. The reason for this: She looked too awful to look at.

The kitten was born with facial abnormalities and one ear as a result of no fault of her own. She was malnourished and infested with parasites and skin illnesses. But because she was “too ugly” to rescue, no one did anything for her. But then, all at once, an angel appeared.

To read more on this story, click here: Adults Cringed At Kitty Too “Terrifying” To Look At So Little Girl Stepped Up

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Understanding Animal Ministers and Chaplains

Twenty years ago the idea of an animal minister or chaplain would have induced a fit of the giggles. These days if you say something about an animal chaplain, you are likely to be asked where a person might find one. Animals have become the cornerstone of many of our lives and these spiritual leaders don’t preach to pets, but rather assist others in finding meaningful way of living with animals.

What is Animal Ministry?

Animal ministry is actually about people and how we interconnect with the animals around us. Most religions have traditions regarding the spirituality of animals and that intersects with human life in a positive way. Some would argue that in American culture, this reverence for feathered, furred and scaled creatures has disappeared. This is where animal ministries step in.

To read more on this story, click here: Understanding Animal Ministers and Chaplains

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Kitten Feeding Schedule: From Newborn to One Year

This chart shows you when, what, and how much to feed your fluffy bundle of joy.

Kittens, like human babies, start out life consuming liquid nourishment and slowly graduate to solid foods. Mother cats take care of a kitten’s nutritional needs through their milk from the day their kittens are born until they are around 4 to 6 weeks old. 

Feeding An Orphaned Kitten

But if you have a kitten without a mother, you need to provide food that’s formulated for kitten health. Whether your orphaned kitten is a newborn or one that's a few weeks old, you should bottle feed them. Bottle-feeding a kitten isn’t difficult, but it does take a little know-how to do it properly. These tips for how to bottle feed a kitten can help. 

To read more on this story, click here: Kitten Feeding Schedule: From Newborn to One Year

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Taiwan Coffee Shop Creates Incredibly Realistic Latte Pup Portraits

Latte art is all the rage in coffee shops around the world, but you’ve never seen anything like the extraordinary portraits-in-foam created by the baristas at My Cofi café in Taiwan.

Many shops have invested in gadgets that allow them to turn your photos into intricate latte images, but the artists at My Cofi don’t need a machine to design their masterpieces. All of their three-dimensional portraits are created entirely by hand!

To read more on this story, click here:  Taiwan Coffee Shop Creates Incredibly Realistic Latte Pup Portraits

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In Vietnam There Is A Dog That Looks Like A Cat, Meet H’mong

“Do you like dogs or cats?” is a common question when you meet someone, and it automatically puts you on one side. Like being left-handed or right-handed.

But you probably didn’t see this coming. It seems that in Vietnam there is a dog that looks like a cat, and it may be the answer to the eternal division between cats and dogs. The people of this subreddit immediately began to share their conspiracy theories about the breed of this animal. Some said that it looked like a cartoon, others explained that it was the H’mong breed, and still others said that they did not care what it was because it was so adorable.

To read more on this story, click here: This Puppy Looks Like A Hybrid Between A Cat And A Dog, And His Expressions Are So Funny

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April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month: Do You Have a Pet First Aid Kit?

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until it receives veterinary treatment. Our handy checklist tells you all the supplies to have on hand for pet first aid. 

You can download, print and save the full checklist at  

                                    PET FIRST AID

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The Joys of Owning a Cat

Owning a cat can bring unconditional love and companionship to your life. Having a feline friend can also help to relieve stress and improve your heart health.

Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding relationship. A cat has the ability to both calm your nervous system and provide an immediate outlet for fun and play. Although cats are independent animals who like to scavenge and explore on their own terms, they are also very affectionate with their owners and people they trust.

To read more on this story, click here: The Joys of Owning a Cat

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Caracals as Pets

When it comes to breeds, cat lovers have their pick of the litter with common types like the Persian and Maine Coon. What about more exotic cats? While lions, tigers, and leopards are generally confined to zoos and nature preserves, residents of certain states can keep smaller wildcats as pets.

In Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Dakota, it’s legal for licensed individuals to purchase and own caracals, a distinctive-looking wildcat.

To read more on this story, click here: Caracals as Pets

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Cat Has Very Own Custom Fish Tank with Inside Viewing Box

Look, we’ve all watched cartoons. So we all know one indisputable fact: you can’t own both fish and cats. Otherwise, at some point your feline friend will dive into the tank and eat all the fish. The cat will then get the bowl stuck on their head. It’s hilarious, yes. But it’s also dangerous, for all of the animals. If you want to keep both pets in your home though, one animal-lover has found the perfect way for them to coexist. Jasper the cat has his very own custom-made aquarium. It features a built-in viewing box that lets him safely get up-close and personal with his aquatic siblings.

To read more on this story, click here: Cat Has Very Own Custom Fish Tank with Inside Viewing Box

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Information about COVID-19, Pets, and Other Animals

A number of animals worldwide have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, including pets like cats and dogs, farmed mink, and large cats, gorillas, and otters in zoos, sanctuaries, and aquariums. Reptiles and birds have not been affected by this virus. The risk of animals spreading the virus to people is low, but people with COVID-19 can spread the virus to animals during close contact. The information linked to below provides guidance for pet owners, public health professionals, animal health and wildlife officials, veterinarians, and others on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between people and animals.

To read more on this story, click here: Information about COVID-19, Pets, and Other Animals

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