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.
The world's oldest living animal is starting over with a clean sheet at 184 years old - after a vet gave him his first ever bath. Jonathan the giant tortoise has come out of his shell after centuries of grime were painstakingly scrubbed off his back with a loofah, soft brush and surgical soap. Dr. Joe Hollins, the vet for the British Outpost of St. Helena in the south Atlantic where Jonathan lives, decided to give him a spruce up ahead of a royal visit in a few weeks' time. He carefully scrubbed each of the segments of Jonathan's shell, known as scutes, and removed black sludge and bird droppings while the tortoise sedately chewed on grass. Surgical soap was chosen as it is not caustic and soft brushes and a loofah were gently used to avoid damage to his shell. After his bath Dr. Hollins noticed that the rings on his shell were completely worn away. These rings are used to tell the tortoises’ age. There was no medical reason for his hour-long soak. They were expecting a visit in May, by an unknown royal for the dedication of a new airport on the tiny island of St. Helena. The spring clean comes months after Jonathan, who was aged 50 when he arrived on the historic isle in 1882, was placed on a special high calorie diet as it was feared that his health was declining. Dr. Hollins, believes it is Jonathan's first ever bath. He said, “In the past Jonathan's keepers had a rather laid back attitude to the tortoises on St. Helena, and this is probably his first bath he’s had in 184 years. He looks so much cleaner and he seemed to enjoy the whole experience. He stood like a statue when I was washing him, I don't know if it was the vibrations that he found so soothing, or if he was thinking "at last, I've had my first bath!" “I used water, surgical scrub, loofah and a little brush to slowly cleaned him. He doesn't look any younger, but he does look different. He is much paler and you can see the rings on his shell have almost completely disappeared. He had black deposits on his shell that came from wear and tear. As far as I could see his shell is in great condition for his age.” Hopefully he won't have to wait another 185 years before his next bath! Jonathan, is 45ins long and stands about 2 feet tall, arrived on St. Helena as a gift to the governor from the Seychelles.” In his time on St. Helena he has seen 28 British governors come and go. Eight British monarchs from George IV to Elizabeth II have been crowned during his lifetime, and 51 British Prime Ministers have served at 10 Downing Street. Private tours were arranged in the past for visitors to meet Jonathan around the Governor's house. He currently shares his enclosure with four other giant tortoises - David, Emma, Frederika and Myrtle. Although he has lost his sense of smell and his eyesight is fading, Jonathan is said to be in good health. Dr. Hollins, will now start cleaning some of the other tortoises, and some of them are dirtier than Jonathan. Following the death of Harriet, a 175-year-old giant Galapagos Land tortoise, in 2005 in Australia, Jonathan has been recognized as the world's oldest living land animal. St. Helena was chosen as the place of Emperor Napoleon's second exile and the French dictator died there in 1821. You may be interested in reading: A Tortoise Named Jonathan is Believed to be the World’s Oldest Known Living Land Creature
Baltimore, Maryland - With temperatures in the 70’s on Thursday a Baltimore County pool sits empty. Catonsville resident, Gloria Todd says she’s had her pet turtle, Moses since she was 5. “He lived with me till September 12th, for 78 years.” said Gloria. Now, the slider turtle has slid right out of sight. “I am really concerned about his health,” said Gloria. “I have a special light for him. He does not eat regular turtle food that you buy at the store listed under ‘turtle food.’” When asked what Moses does eat in case someone spots him, but Gloria says, “I’m not going to tell you exactly what he eats.” She’s concerned about sharing too much of his personal information. Gloria does tell us Moses is the size of a lunch plate, with yellow lines on its head, neck and shell. She believes he was snapped up. “I think he was taken, at dinner time, and he is usually not out that late,” Gloria says. She hopes someone sees this story and brings Moses home. “I’m just concerned for whoever has him, knows how to care for him. I’m hoping someone will return him to me.” Usually Moses stays inside–in the laundry room, but after its vet recommended he get more sunlight, he started spending more time outside. No word if he is already hibernating.
Washington, DC - Calling all turtle lovers! Red Head and Golden Girl are just two red eared sliders looking for their forever homes. They've been at our New York Avenue Adoption Center for far too long and deserve a pond of their own. Red eared sliders are named for the little red stripe on their ears and the way they easily slide in and out of water. If these two sound like the perfect pets for you, adopt them today! www.washhumane.org/adopt
Red Head Animal ID: 32164229 Species: Reptile Age: 5 years 2 months 3 days Sex: Female Color: Black/Red Declawed: No Site: Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League To learn more about Red Head, click HERE.
Golden Girl
Animal ID: 32203269 Species: Reptile Age: Sex: Female Color: Black/Red Declawed: No Site: Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League To learn more about Golden Girl, click HERE.
District of Columbia Animal Care and Control (New York Avenue Adoption Center - WHS is contracted by the Department of Health to operate this facility) 1201 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-576-6664 Adoption Center Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday* Closed for adoptions on Mondays Click for holiday hours » Stray animals are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Please Share!
Did you know that animal shelters have other animals available for adoption besides dogs and cats? They have small furry animals including gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, snakes, birds…and yes, fish. If you are looking to adopt a pet, but can not have a dog or cat, check out the other small animals available at your local animal shelters. This Saturday, July 23rd, marks the 2nd Annual ‘Clear the Shelters’ event, and would be a good time to adopt since all fees are waived. The Washington Humane Society/Washington Animal Rescue League have several small animals/reptiles available for adoption. Please take a look at them below. Please take time to read their: Steps to Adopt
Available at the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) 71 Oglethorpe St NW Washington, DC (202) 726-2556 Hours: 12:00PM - 7:00PM
Biff - Rabbit To learn more about Biff, click HERE
Pluto - Rabbit To learn more about Pluto, click HERE.
Charizard - Lizard To learn more about Charizard, click HERE.
Jay Z - Small and furry To learn more about JayZ, click HERE.
Butch - Small and furry To learn more about Butch, click HERE.
Available at the Washington Humane Society (WHS) 1201 New York Ave NE Washington, DC 202-576-6664 or 202-726-2556 12:00PM - 7:00PM
Chiliarch - Rabbit To learn more about Chiliarch, click HERE.
Neon NopeRope - Reptile To learn more about Neon NopeRope, click HERE.
Romeo – Reptile To learn more about Romeo, click HERE.
Juliet – Reptile To learn more about Juliet, click HERE.
Julius – Reptile To learn more about Julius, click HERE.
Rascal – Small and furry To learn more about Rascal, click HERE.
