12 Curious Facts About White Cats to Know Before Adopting One

If you’re pondering adding a sweet, snow-colored ball of fuzz to the family, there is a lot you need to know. And we’re not just talking about the most popular white cat breeds, although that’s certainly a consideration. After all, you might want to go for a rare, expensive kitty (like the Khao Manee), or maybe a super fluffy Felix (hello, Turkish Angora), or one that’s known for friendliness (Persians, for example, are nowhere near as grumpy as they look). But there are other things about white cats you should be aware of, including some that impact their health.

For example, did you know that many white cats are deaf, and, according to Dr. Ashly Smith, Regional Medical Director for Small Door Veterinary, may need to learn visual cues? Even more surprising, “White cats have less melanin in their skin, which makes them more vulnerable to sunburns as well as certain skin cancers,” says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover. “The risk of these cancers is greater in cats who spend more time sunbathing, so be sure to limit your cat’s exposure to harmful UV rays, especially on their more sparsely-haired faces, ears, and bellies.”

How Do I Keep My Cat Out Of The Christmas Tree?

Getting ready for the holidays and about to put your Christmas tree up? Keep in mind that the tree makes a tempting target for many curious cats. Here are some tips on how to pet-proof your Christmas tree.

When it comes to buying a Christmas tree, I prefer and love real trees. After all, they fill our house with the holiday smells of evergreen. However, keep in mind that if you have cats, real trees are much more tempting. Not only are real trees fragrant and the pine needles more fun to chew on (thankfully, rarely poisonous) but the tree trunk is perfect for scratching and climbing. Consider an artificial tree (after all, less trees are cut down and thrown away, right?). If you do get a real tree, avoid one that is very tall, as a tall tree would be more likely to topple.

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  

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

If Your Dog Has An Upset Stomach, Try These Foods

At some time or another, most dog owners will have to deal with the occasional upset stomach in their pet.  Stomach upset can be caused by many things and when it happens, it can be miserable for both dog and owner.

Why do dogs get an upset stomach?

Dogs can get an upset stomach for many reasons and when symptoms are mild, most of the time it can be handled at home.  Some of the most common reasons a dog will throw up or get gas and diarrhea include:

To read more on this story, click here: If Your Dog Has An Upset Stomach, Try These Foods

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

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!

Trumpet the bloodhound wins best in show at 2022 Westminster Kennel Club dog show

Trumpet, a soulful-looking bloodhound with low-hanging ears and deep folds, won best in show at the 2022 Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

Trumpet’s victory sounded a clarion call of sorts for his breed Wednesday — the dog made history with his best in show win.

Bloodhounds have been competing at the long-running dog show since the 1800s, but Trumpet is the first bloodhound to take best in show.

The 4-year-old dog from Saint Joseph, Illinois — registered name GCHB CH Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn — won the hound group Tuesday alongside his handler-owner Heather Helmer to advance to the final. The dog is co-owned by Chris and Bryan Flessner and Tina Kocar.

To read more on this story, click here: Trumpet the bloodhound wins best in show at 2022 Westminster Kennel Club dog show

Galago Pet – Can I have a Bush Baby as a Pet?

The Galago, also referred to as a bush baby, or nagapie, are small nocturnal primates native to continental, sub-Sahara Africa, and make up the household Galagidae can also be a pet. They’re typically included as a sister taxon to the Lorisidae or Loridae. This article will discuss more of Galago pet.

Galago Pet facts

Both that or they need to have a human proprietor who can spend important quantities of time with them.

To read more on this story, click here: Galago Pet – Can I have a Bush Baby as a Pet?

Man Feeds 80 Street Dogs In Thailand Every Day

A few years ago, at the time a starving and injured dog showed up behind a restaurant in Thailand where Michael Baines worked, he used his immediate natural instinct to feed and take care of her. He didn’t think that this kind gesture would result at some point in the hungry dog being one of around 80 street dogs he now monitors and care for every single day. Noticing that she was only one of countless local dogs in serious need of nutrition, he turned his canine compassion into a powerful passion project.

To read more on this story, click here: Man Feeds 80 Street Dogs In Thailand Every Day

Oregon Zoo Names Its Baby Orangutan After One of Dolly Parton's Most Famous Songs

Dolly Parton is an inspiration to many around the world –– including the keepers at the Oregon Zoo in Portland who have named their new baby orangutan after the singer's big hit "Jolene."

According to zoo, Jolene the orangutan was named for her "flaming locks of auburn hair," which references the Patron's description of the sexy bank teller whose "beauty is beyond compare / with flaming locks of auburn hair."

Baby Jolene was born on April 13 to mother Kitra, the zoo's 20-year-old critically endangered Bornean orangutan. According to Kate Gilmer, who oversees the primate area, zookeepers were unable to determine the newborn's sex for weeks as they gave the mom and baby "plenty of room to bond."

To read more on this story, click here: Oregon Zoo Names Its Baby Orangutan After One of Dolly Parton's Most Famous Songs

Puppy Development From Newborn to One Week Old

The birth of puppies is an exciting time. It's beautiful to watch a mother care for her newborns, especially in the early stages of life.

A newborn puppy is completely helpless and dependent upon its mother. The first week of a puppy's life is mainly about sleeping and eating so it will grow.

Puppies should remain with their mother and littermates until about age eight to 12 weeks. However, it is most crucial to have a mother during the first few weeks of life. A puppy that has been separated from its mother will need human intervention. Raising a newborn puppy takes a lot of time and intensive care. This is not quite the same thing as caring for a young puppy.

To read more on this story, click here: Puppy Development From Newborn to One Week Old

Pufferfish Poisoning

The poison found in pufferfish, blowfish, balloon fish, toads, sunfish, fish, toadfish, globefish, and swellfish is a tetrodotoxin.

This is one of the most toxic poisons found in nature.

Most people who eat pufferfish do so intentionally as pufferfish are considered an Asian delicacy, served in some types of sushi and sashimi.

To read more on this story, click here: Pufferfish Poisoning

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

Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons, or Komodo monitors, are the largest, heaviest lizards in the world — and one of the few with a venomous bite. These stealthy, powerful hunters rely on their sense of smell to detect food, using their long, forked tongues to sample the air. They can spend hours waiting for a sizable meal to wander within range before launching a deadly attack with their large, curved and serrated teeth.

To read more on this story, click here: Komodo Dragon

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

Dog With Infected Leg And Crooked Jaw Can’t Stop Kissing Her Rescuers

Several years ago, a small white dog named Delilah was abused and neglected to the point where she could’ve died. But luckily, the Mr. Mo Project stepped up and provided her with a safe environment where she could heal. Mariesa and Chris Hughes created the Mr. Mo Project to save senior dogs after their beloved rescue dog passed away.

Now, the couple has dozens of dogs in their home, both fosters and permanent residents. When Delilah needed a place to stay, they didn’t hesitate to welcome her to the pack. Her transformation from day one to the present day will melt your heart!

To read more on this story, click here: Dog With Infected Leg And Crooked Jaw Can’t Stop Kissing Her Rescuers

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

Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say

 

ATLANTA (TND) — An invasive species of spider has made its way to Georgia, and will likely spread out to more states along the East Coast, according to experts with the University of Georgia (UGA).

The 3-inch long "Joro Spider" is native to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The spider thrives in Japan, which has a similar climate to the southeastern United States.

To read more on this story, click here: Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say