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Saturday, January 8, 2022

Dogs can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar human languages

They are the first non-human animals to be able to tell the difference between human languages.

If you were to move to a new country with a different language and bring along the family dog, your pet would likely have a hard time understanding commands from the locals, according to a new study looking at how dogs' brains react to different languages.

MRI scans revealed that dogs' brains can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar languages, making them the first-known, and so far only, non-human animals to be able to tell the difference between human languages.

To read more on this story, click here: Dogs can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar human languages

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior

Your cat loves to stick his butt where it doesn't belong, including in your face. Let's be real, cats wouldn't be cats if they didn't do all sorts of weird things and that includes putting their butts wherever they please, regardless of personal boundaries.

We asked a certified cat behavior consultant to help us get to the bottom of why cats put their butt in your face—and spoiler alert: It's not as bad as you might think! Next time your cat puts his rear end right in front of you, you might even find yourself saying "Aww" instead of "Eww!"

To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior

Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Researchers discovered some of the genetics behind cat coloring, from Abyssinians and tabbies to leopards and tigers.

Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur.

"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”

To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Hong Kong dog causes panic – but here’s why you needn’t worry about pets spreading COVID-19

A Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong grabbed the international media’s attention this week after scientists found traces of coronavirus in the canine. Following confirmation that the dog’s owner was positive for the virus causing COVID-19, the dog was taken from Hong Kong Island to a nearby animal quarantine facility. Subsequent tests performed on swabs collected from the dog’s nose and throat unexpectedly revealed coronavirus.

These results have raised many questions and concerns. Can our dogs really catch the virus? Should we be worried about our pets getting sick? Could dogs spread coronavirus between people?

To read more on this story, click here: Hong Kong dog causes panic – but here’s why you needn’t worry about pets spreading COVID-19

Monday, January 3, 2022

Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist

Betty White had a wild side.

The legendary “Golden Girls” star — who died Friday at age 99 — was a pioneering animal rights activist devoted to saving endangered species and improving conditions at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The beloved actress worked for decades to champion animals in her charity work, along with publishing a book on the subject and starring in the nature-boosting 1971 show “Pet Set.”

“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist

Elephant in circus for 50 long years collapses after being freed

After so long, she was free.

Elephants are famous for their intelligence, unique personalities, and familial bonds. Unfortunately, though, some elephants don’t get to follow their natural instincts and instead are forced to perform for people.

Two circus elephants named Sita and Mia are a good example of this.

To read more on this story, click here: Elephant in circus for 50 long years collapses after being freed

'Very unsettling': Scientists see troubling signs in humans spreading Covid to deer

Humans have infected wild deer with Covid-19 in a handful of states, and there’s evidence that the coronavirus has been spreading among deer, according to recent studies, which outline findings that could complicate the path out of the pandemic.

Scientists swabbed the nostrils of white-tailed deer in Ohio and found evidence of at least six separate times that humans had spread the coronavirus to deer, according to a study published last month in Nature.

About one-third of the deer sampled had active or recent infections, the study says. Similar research in Iowa of tissue from roadkill and hunted deer found widespread evidence of the virus.

To read more on this story, click here: 'Very unsettling': Scientists see troubling signs in humans spreading Covid to deer

'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support

Following the death of Betty White, the Golden Girls star is being remembered as a lifelong champion of animal welfare and conservation

Betty White is being remembered for her decades-long work in animal welfare and conservation, following her death at 99 on Dec. 31.

On Friday, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the nonprofit partner of the Los Angeles Zoo, shared a tribute to the late Golden Girls star, who started working with the California zoo in 1966 and officially joined GLAZA's Board of Trustees in 1974.

"We are incredibly saddened to hear about Betty's passing this morning and want to offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends as we collectively mourn the loss of a true legend, on and off the screen," Tom Jacobson, president of GLAZA, shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "Her work with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission."

To read more on this story, click here: 'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support

I’ll Believe We’re Getting a White House Cat When I See It

President Biden has a problem with expectation-setting. He has yet to fulfill lofty promises on the pandemic, voting rights, and Build Back Better. Most egregiously, his administration has toyed with America by promising a White House cat that has yet to materialize.

Monday appeared to finally bring an end to this Long National Nightmare, but as always with this White House and cats, nothing was straightforward.

It was a big day for presidential pet news. At 4:52 p.m., the White House announced that the Bidens had adopted a puppy named Commander.

To read more on this story, click here: I’ll Believe We’re Getting a White House Cat When I See It

One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals

Animal advocates sing the praises of the Golden Girl’s devotion to animals.

Though Betty White was a charming actor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her lifelong love of animals was no act.

In the introduction to her 2011 book “Betty & Friends,” she wrote that both her mother and father “were genuine animal nuts, and I am eternally grateful that they have passed much of that passion on to me.”

Fueled by that passion, White helped countless animals in myriad ways throughout her life.

To read more on this story, click here: One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals

Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021

Three bear cubs, a bobcat and a pig rescued from Northern California fires in 2021 went safely home or will soon be released.

In October, the Redding Record Searchlight published stories about animals who were victims of the state's raging wildfires, including the 1,500-square-mile Dixie Fire.

They and other animals were rescued by wildlife experts and caring neighbors. Injured wildlife received medical attention, then bunked at animal refuges where volunteers fed them and helped them keep their specialized skills and wild ways.

As 2021 wrapped up, we circled back with people who care for five of the animals we featured to see how they were doing.

To read more on this story, click here: Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021

The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

Wannabe pet owners hoping to bring a new puppy or kitten home this Christmas are being urged to research the seller behind the pet to avoid being 'petfished'.

A recent survey of UK cat and dog owners by the' British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), found over a quarter (27%) had come across a seller or advert that made them feel suspicious of the welfare of the pet, while purchasing their last cat or dog.

It seems soon-to-be pet owners aren't taking appropriate care in checking out the person selling a prospective pet, with less than half (43%) of UK dog or cat owners saying they visited the seller in-person in the animal’s home when researching their recent pet purchase.

To read more on this story, click here: The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

Friday, October 29, 2021

The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with animal cruelty

The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with three counts of animal cruelty after one of the zebras was reported last week to have been discovered dead in a snare trap.

Jerry Holly, the owner of an exotic animal breeding business in Upper Marlboro, Md., about 20 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., is accused of inflicting and authorizing "unnecessary suffering or pain on a Zebra," according to court documents obtained by NPR. Holly was also charged with not providing adequate shelter or food.

To read more on this story, click here: The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with animal cruelty

Maryland couple taking care of escaped zebras starts foundation aiming to help

The zebras that escaped from an Upper Marlboro farm have evaded capture for nearly two months, but a couple tells 7News they have been caring for the large mammals.

“All of a sudden I’m in the middle of trying to save zebras. I would never in a million years think I’d be here," Theodore McKenzie stated.

McKenzie is a groundskeeper on a large, private property that backs to the zebra farm.

"We reached out to the farm owner and that didn’t really go anywhere.”

In fact, McKenzie is the person who found one of the three zebras caught in a snare trap, dead from dehydration.

To read more on this story, click here: Maryland couple taking care of escaped zebras starts foundation aiming to help

Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

The fact Hansel the pit bull is still alive is a minor miracle, but the hero dog is doing more than just living—he's working to help his local fire department save lives all while chipping away at the stereotype surrounding his breed.

Hansel was rescued from an alleged Canadian dog fighting ring when he was just 7 weeks old. He'd never fought, but he was still scheduled to be euthanized. Thankfully, a shelter in Florida took him in before he was plucked by the Throw Away Dogs Project, which trains dogs to become K-9 officers in the Philadelphia area.

To read more on this story, click here: Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

Escaped Zebra in Prince George's County found dead in illegal snare trap

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (7News) — One of the zebras that escaped from a farm in Prince George's County was found dead Thursday in a snare trap. The Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to private property in Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County and found the deceased zebra in a snare trap near a field.

The animal is believed to be among the zebras that previously escaped from a farm in Prince George's County.

Police say it is illegal to set snare traps in Maryland. At this time, the police do not have any information on who placed the trap.

To read more on this story, click here: Escaped Zebra in Prince George's County found dead in illegal snare trap

National Cat Day – October 29, 2021

National Cat Day is celebrated on October 29. It was created by Colleen Paige to bring awareness to the number of cats that need to be rescued each year. Cats remind us that just when you think they’ve lost interest in you, they’ll turn around and melt your hearts. When it appears they’re too busy staring out at passing cars, chasing nylon mice, and sending tiny multi-colored balls to their under-the-refrigerator graves, they’ll somehow let you know that their very world revolves around you. Just wait. It’ll happen when you least expect it. Cats have their own timetable.

To read more on this story, click here: National Cat Day – October 29, 2021

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Bi-partisan bill introduced to change animal testing mandates

WASHINGTON – U.S. senators Rand Paul and Cory Booker introduced the FDA Modernization Act on Thursday to end animal testing mandates.

The bill would end an outdated FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are tested on humans in clinical trials. The bill would not ban animal testing outright, but would allow the option for drug sponsors to use alternative methods.

Current mandates were passed in 1938, but since then, research has proven that animal testing is highly inconsistent at predicting toxic responses in humans. Senator Rand Paul says he believes the bill can pass both the House and the Senate without being challenged.

To read more on this story, click here: Bi-partisan bill introduced to change animal testing mandates

Feline okay? The app that tells you if your cat's happy

July 27 (Reuters) - Cat owners who love to take pictures of their furry friends now have a new excuse to pull out their smartphones and take a snapshot: it may actually help the cat.

A Calgary, Alberta, animal health technology company, Sylvester.ai, has developed an app called Tably that uses the phone's camera to tell whether a feline is feeling pain.

The app looks at ear and head position, eye-narrowing, muzzle tension, and how whiskers change, to detect distress. A 2019 study published in peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports found that the so-called 'feline grimace scale,' or FGS, is a valid and reliable tool for acute pain assessment in cats.

To read more on this story, click here: Feline okay? The app that tells you if your cat's happy

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido

Dogs live forever, right? Right!? Unfortunately, like humans, dogs are mortals. Anyone who has lost a pet knows how heartbreaking it is to say goodbye. They are truly family members. If you’re someone who hates goodbyes or simply wants a companion for as long as possible, look into the longest-living dog breeds. On average, domesticated dogs live about ten years, but the dogs on our list have been known to live well into their teens. You’ll notice most of these pups are on the smaller side. While breed alone isn’t going to tell you how long your dog will live, it can give you a pretty good idea.

To read more on this story, click here: These Are the 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds, Because You Want as Much Time as Possible with Fido

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