Did you know that the presence of guinea pigs in a room can increase social behaviors in children with autism? Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia recently published a study demonstrating a significant measurable increase in talking, smiling, laughing, looking at faces, making tactile contact and social approaches when children with autism and their peers played with 2 guinea pigs in a classroom. Sooner or later, most families of children with special needs begin to think about adopting a pet for therapeutic reasons. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of pet. Sometimes a pet is not logistically possible, but any pet has the potential to enrich family life. Here are ten of the most popular pets for beginners, along with the pros and cons for each one. If your family wants to adopt any type of pet, large or small, consider a rescue organization such as those listed on petfinder.com. To read more on this story, click here:How to Choose the Right Pet for a Family with Special Needs
A recent study showed that there are more pets than children in American households. Amazed? Statistics say that there has also been an increase in the number of Indian families opting for pets. Keeping pets at home has several benefits — and if you're among those who has always wanted to keep a pet, let us convince you to go ahead and get one home! Pets can enhance your mood Whether you believe it or not, pets are a great way to improve your mood and temperament. Research has shown that people who suffer from various diseases have lesser chances of depression if they keep pets as compared to those who are suffering from similar diseases and don't keep pets. Help to control blood pressure Health experts say that dog owners have less blood pressure and heart rates. This eventually reduces the need to take medicines and also helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A source of exercise Want someone who will accompany you for walks? Dogs can be great companions and will happily go out for walks, at times even urging you for a walk, when you're too tired, thereby keeping you active and fit. Other activities related to pets like feeding, bathing, playing and cleaning are also good ways to exercise. An antidote for loneliness No matter how low or lonely you keep, a pet will always be there for you. Whether you want to pour your heart out to them or tell them your secrets, you know it's all safe with them! Pets give you unconditional love and are always faithful. Reduce stress Stressed out? Pets are known to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Experts say that people can get relieve from stress and depression, if they spend time with their pets. Long life Several studies have revealed that people who tend to spend their time with pets are more likely to live longer than people who don't. Better social skills Want to improve your social skills? It is said that people who keep pets are said to be good in their social relations. Kids who grow up with pets at home are always respectful towards living things. Safety Having a dog at home is especially good because they also double up as caretakers. No burglar alarm can be better than a dog at home!
A bald rabbit destined for death because of an ultra-rare genetic disorder leaving him completely hairless has become an unlikely social media star. The two-month-old bunny, named Mr. Bigglesworth after Dr. Evil's bald cat in the Austin Powers films, has picked up hundreds of online followers after getting a adopted. Cassandra Hall, a mother of two, from Wodonga, Victoria, was given the two-month-old rex rabbit last week by a breeder who planned to have him put down because nobody wanted him. But the mobile phone-sized bunny, who was born with an elusive hairless gene, has no shortage of support online and has quickly racked up 7,800 Instagram followers - who even send him fan art. Graphic designer Cassandra, 40, said, “I think people like how unique Mr. Bigglesworth is. Nobody has seen a rabbit without hair, and it shows how delicate they are. Some online commenters call him 'really ugly' and say things like “imagine waking up to that crawling on your face” and I'm upset by that. I had to write 'no negativity' on his account. But there are other people coming to his defense and even drawing pictures of him.” Cassandra adopted Mr. Bigglesworth after she spotted a photo of the rabbits a local breeder had available for sale. When she spotted the bald bunny she noticed there was a sign next to him which stated “hairless rabbit, not for sale.” After sending messages to Enquire about Mr. Bigglesworth, she found out that he was scheduled to be put to sleep because no one wanted to adopt him. She then found out another rabbit had been born with the same illness and had died. She was determined to save her new pet's life. She said she had only heard of a handful of cases worldwide of the undiagnosed condition, which makes him vulnerable but does not impact his health. The breeder asked if she wanted him. She said yes, that there was no way she could let him die. He was so adorable, so she took him home. “He has very soft, velvety skin, eats a lot, he's really hypo and always flipping around the lounge. He has to live indoors because he could get hurt playing on rocks of gravel. He has a hutch in our laundry. Our other bunny, Loafy, is not a fan, I think Mr. Bigglesworth has stolen all the attention.” She said.
I love animals, and I love attending adoption events. I had the pleasure of attending the Humane Rescue Alliance’s ‘Clear the Shelter’ event on August 19, 2017. I really enjoyed watching the potential adopters interacting with the animals. 154 animals were adopted that day! While this year’s event is over…that doesn’t mean that you can’t give a homeless animal a loving forever home. I love ‘Clearing the Shelters’ events because it allows room for other homeless animals to come in receive treatment, if needed, and a chance to find their forever homes.
At 4' 4" tall and weighing in at 50 pounds, Darius is currently the biggest rabbit in the world! The craziest part? He may not hold that title for much longer because his son is on track to be even bigger. Jeff is 3' 8" and still has about 6 months of growing left. His owner, Annette Edwards, expects him to be much bigger than his dad. The two are members of the Continental Giant breed, which was bred for their meat, but are now loving house pets. They are so large that they must sleep in large dog crates instead of rabbit cages. The rabbits eat their way through 2,000 carrots and 700 apples a year.
Indianapolis, IN - Second lady Karen Pence paid tribute to the cat Saturday on Twitter, saying Oreo "touched a lot of hearts in your little life." Oreo along with the family's other cat, Pickle, and rabbit, Marlon Bundo became famous in January, when the family moved to Washington, D.C. Oreo made his national debut in a photo of the U.S. Air Force flight, which Vice President Mike Pence tweeted. Since then, Marlon Bundo, better known as BOTUS (Bunny of the United States), has remained in the spotlight with an Instagram page. The black-and-white rabbit even has made White House appearances, recently stealing the show at an event for Military Appreciation Month. At the time, Karen Pence said he was "kind of famous," as the first bunny to ride on Air Force Two. CNN reported Oreo was 13 years old, according to an aide to the vice president.
Vice President, Mike Pence owns an adorable black-and-white rabbit named Marlon Bundo. Bundo, along with his cat half-siblings, Oreo and Pickle, now are residents of Washington, D.C. Oreo and Pickle were carried off the U.S. Air Force passenger jet in the arms of then Vice President-Elect Mike Pence's wife, Karen, and daughter, Charlotte, but it took two men to transport Marlon Bundo's cage down the plane stairs to a waiting SUV. Pence tweeted a photo of the family with the pets mid-air, thanking the U.S. Air Force for the ride. Bundo's eyes seemed wide with excitement about his future home. The bunny isn't the first elected pet with a unique name: Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy had a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang. Herbert Hoover had a dog named Weejie. Benjamin Harrison had two opposums: Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection. No word on whether Bundo has a plot to get fancier carrots in his food dish once he's in D.C., but it seems likely he made the Pence family an offer they couldn't refuse.
All adoptable animals at shelters and in foster available at discounted fee this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Standard adoption procedures apply. WHAT: Discounted (50%) adoption fees to celebrate National Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Day. Standard adoption procedures apply. WHO: All available animals for adoption, including dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and small animals. WHEN: Saturday, April 29th and Sunday, April 30th Noon – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Humane Rescue Alliance Pet Adoption Centers 1201 New York Ave., NE 77 Oglethorpe Street, NW Washington, DC 20002 Washington, DC 20011 202-576-6664 202-726-2556
About the Humane Rescue Alliance: The Humane Rescue Alliance (formerly the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League) has protected and served the animals of the community for more than 145 years and serves more than 60,000 animals annually. The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care and control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others. The organization is dedicated to ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals, bringing people and animals together, and working with all communities to support these relationships. HRA is based in Washington, DC, the only major urban area in the country that has all of its animal protection programs and services unified in one organization, making the Humane Rescue Alliance a model for the nation.
Its hopping at the shelter! 51 that's the magic number of the day. 51 rabbits came our way. We are on the hunt for some veggies, apples, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, any green leafys. If you have some you can send our way drop them by or let us know. Location: Prince George's County Animal Shelter 3750 Brown Station Rd Upper Marlboro, Maryland, MD 20772 (301) 780-7200 Hours 12:00PM - 6:00PM
