Ever Thought About Getting A Bird? They Make Great Pets

Have you ever thought about getting a bird? They make great pets! Here are a few reasons you may consider: 

They are fairly low maintenance

Birds are a good option for those who want to enrich their lives with a pet but are either slightly time poor or don’t want the high-maintenance cats and dogs bring with the need for a lot of attention, exercise, and training. Birds on the other hand, require far less training, unless you want to teach them cool tricks! They are much easier to clean up after as they are self-grooming creatures and their mess tends to be isolated to their cage.

They are highly intelligent

Birds are very smart and curious creatures. They have the capability to learn many new things, such as learning to mimic human speech and behaviours or using objects as tools. This makes them very intriguing and fun pets to watch and play with, especially with their human like antics!

Birds are perfect for small places

If you live in a small house or an apartment a bird is the perfect pet for these spaces. Whereas cats and dogs require a lot of room to run around, birds are quite happy with only a few metres of space for their cage.

They are very social

Birds are considered to be very social creatures as can be heard with their constant chirping and chattering. This makes them fun to interact and talk with, especially if you have trained your bird to speak or it has started mimicking human voices. Either way they are the perfect companion to talk to and get your thoughts off your chest without fear of judgment.

Life long companion

Did you know that some species of birds can live up to 50 years? That truly makes some birds life long companions. However, although some birds can live up to 50 years many have a lifespan of up to 20 years, which is still quite a long time. So whatever breed you choose be prepared for a long and happy life together.

Gorgeous Senior Horses Looking For Their Forever Homes

These gorgeous senior horses are looking for homes! Charlie is a Tennessee Walking Horse with a sweet disposition and Teddy is a favorite of the staff who loves attention. Learn more about adopting or donating to the Equine Rescue League here >>> http://nbc4dc.com/a3JyXes

#ClearTheShelters

Wildlife Photographer, David Weiller, Captures Stunning Footage of a Giant Brahmin Moth with Tiger Eye Wing Pattern

 

Although they are from the same family as butterflies, moths are pesky and annoying insects that are certainly not as cute or light on their wings as their larger counterparts. They get in your face, all over your lights, and are often too tiny to be admired.

Well, if there’s anything special about them, when they are not buzzing about in the air, it’s the incredible patterns on their wings. There are over 160,000 species of moths in the world, many of which are yet to be identified.  The patterns and colors on their wings are formed by thousands of tiny scales, overlapping like tiles on a roof. [1] When they lie still long enough to be observed, especially among the larger species, you’d often be blown away at how artistic Mother Nature truly is. She’s unrivaled, and thanks to wildlife photographers, we get to see all her creative pieces and designs, one species at a time.

Tiger-eye motif

The Brahmaea hearseyi is one such species of moths that got the best of Mother Nature’s wing designs. Also known as the tiger-eye moth, these moths come from the Brahmin family and are one of its largest species. They are particularly identified by the well-developed eyespots on their front wings and a series of black-brown stripes, often giving the striking impression of a tiger’s eye.  The species are found in many places such around Asia such as Northeastern Himalaya, Burma, Western China, Sundaland, and the Philippines.

The moths are diurnal and can only be active during the day. At night, they spread out their large wings (which often have a span of 160–200mm) on the barks of trees and on rocks to rest. They are so inactive at night that when they are disturbed, they cannot fly away to safety. They only shake vigorously to ward off the predator but would remain in their spots. They are found mostly in tropical and temperate forests.

The incredible footage below was captured by wildlife photographer, David Weiller, who visited Borneo in Malaysia for an expedition. Speaking to Bored Panda, Weiller explained that the moth was just recently hatched when he came across it.

A 'Male' Octopus Surprised Its Keepers With A Cloud Of 10,000 Babies

When the University of Georgia's Marine Education Center and Aquarium acquired a common octopus recently, they got somewhat more than they bargained for. Thinking the individual was a male, they named it Octavius and stuck "him" in a tank of his own. He was a social butterfly, albeit an aquatic one, who liked to stick out his arms and investigate the weird looking land mammals on the other side of the glass.

To read more on this story, click here: A 'Male' Octopus Surprised Its Keepers With A Cloud Of 10,000 Babies

Humane Rescue Alliance – Seeking Any Information Leading to The Arrest of Person(s) for This Horrific Act of Animal Cruelty - Please Share!

Content warning: sexual assault

Washington, DC - This week, the Humane Rescue Alliance, along with Friendship Hospital for Animals, rescued a puppy from deplorable sexual abuse and violence.

A few days ago, we received a call about a dog abandoned outside, next to piles of trash, and unable to walk, just like Ladybell not even one month ago. When our Animal Control officer arrived on scene, he found a 7-month-old brindle pit bull-type puppy wagging her tail as he approached. She couldn’t move and was covered in both scars and fresh wounds but was still excited to see him. We named her Luna.

She was quickly transported to our partner Friendship Hospital for Animals where she received a full examination. Veterinarians at FHA determined Luna had five broken vertebrae, two of which required surgical stabilization, and two wounds, possibly stab wounds, on her chest. Other injuries indicate she had been brutally sexually abused and was likely strangled. Veterinarians were able to determine these injuries occurred over weeks, due to the varying stages of healing of each injury.

We estimate the cost of her critical care will exceed $20,000. Friendship Hospital for Animals has stepped up to cover the entire cost of her surgeries, and is working to stabilize her spine, with the hopes that one day Luna will be able to walk again. Despite the extent of her injuries, veterinarians are optimistic that Luna will have a good quality of life. We are so grateful for their incredible generosity and their shared commitment to saving animal lives.

“The person responsible for torturing Luna has certainly demonstrated their propensity for extreme violence,” said Chris Schindler, vice president of field services at the Humane Rescue Alliance. “Study after study has shown that individuals who commit cruelty to animals, particularly sexual abuse crimes, are known to perpetrate these crimes against humans, especially children. To ensure the safety of the entire community, we will do everything in our power to find who is responsible and are asking for the public’s help to do so.”

As Luna begins to heal, our humane law enforcement officers begin their investigation into the person or persons responsible for this heinous act of sexual assault and cruelty. They are looking for anyone who may have noticed anything unusual near Fort Dupont Park on or before August 11. If you have any information that could help assist in the arrest of those who abused Luna, please call 202-723-5730 option 3.

Owner Dumped Wolfdog At Kill Shelter When He Got Too Much To Handle, Luckily This Sanctuary Saved Him

The strength, incredible instincts, sharp intelligence, and social abilities of the wolf is what has made them one of the most respected animals in the world. The stunning animal has been featured in legends, books, movies, paintings and other products of culture for centuries which slowly taught us to appreciate them even more. So it’s understandable that people wanted to take a bit of that wilderness home. With the idea of combining the best of both worlds, people created a wolfdog. Wolfdog is basically a mixture of wolf and domestic dog, both of which are members of same Canis species.

You probably wouldn’t think twice about his descent when meeting Yuki, and no wonder why. Yuki is one of the highest content wolfdogs at the sanctuary where he is currently staying.“His DNA testing came back as 87.5 % Gray Wolf, 8.6 % Siberian Husky, and 3.9 % German Shepherd,” – a staff member of Shy Wolf Sanctuary Brittany Allen told Bored Panda.

To read more on this story, click here: Owner Dumped Wolfdog At Kill Shelter When He Got Too Much To Handle, Luckily This Sanctuary Saved Him

Gigantic Black Snake Slithers Along Subway Platform in New York City: 'This Can't Be Real'

 

Step aside, pizza rat! There's a new animal going viral for their subway antics now.

Video of a gigantic black snake slithering across a New York City subway platform was posted on Twitter, leaving residents and social media viewers scratching their heads and wondering how the reptile made its way onto the station platform in the first place.

Transit worker Canella Gomez shared the video in a Twitter post on Sunday, writing, "Being a #TrainOperator for @NYCTSubway I thought I have seen it all but this can’t be real."

To read more on this story, click here:  Gigantic Black Snake Slithers Along Subway Platform in New York City: 'This Can't Be Real'

Adorable Reasons Cats Love Sleeping in Their Owners’ Beds

It seems that pet comfort is a supreme concern among cat owners. These craftspeople in Japan, for example, make miniaturized super-high-end furniture for cats. Even their battle armor looks comfy. But while tiny furniture and soft armor may appease our furry overlords, what really puts them at ease are their owners’ beds. And this video lists the many adorable reasons why.

To read more on this story, click here: Adorable Reasons Cats Love Sleeping in Their Owners’ Beds

Therapy Llama “Caesar The No Drama Llama” Keeps Protesters And Police Calm

This 350lb fluffy guy is a registered therapy animal who has been attending protests alongside his caretaker, Larry McCool. “We can be right in the middle of 10,000 people and everyone is up and chanting, and marching, with megaphones and the whole thing,” he said. “ll of a sudden Caesar will show up right in the middle and you can feel this calm come through.”

To read more on this story, click here: Therapy Llama “Caesar The No Drama Llama” Keeps Protesters And Police Calm

Meet Rexie The Cat: A Handicat Here To Steal Your Heart

All cats are totally adorable. But there are some cats who are naturally photogenic and will make you fall in love with them just by looking at their photo. Rexie, a male handicat, is basically the equivalent of an emoji cat. He is always ready to express himself for the camera. And his owner, Dasha Minaeva, took notice of it. Since she started sharing him with the world, he’s stolen hearts everywhere. Rexie the cat, you are certainly the thief of hearts that you claim to be.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Rexie The Cat: A Handicat Here To Steal Your Heart

These Cute Cats Wear Their Hearts On Their Fur

One of the best things about cats is that they come in all different colors, and there are no limitations when it comes to coat pattern. There are cats with stripes, swirls, splotches, and even polka dots. Tabbies, calicos, tuxies, and so many other different kinds of cats have interesting coat patterns that really turn heads. You can find some crazy designs if you stare at a multicolored cat for long enough. Out of all the possible shapes you can find in a cat’s coat, we especially love it when our feline friends wear their hearts on their fur.  There’s just something about cats with heart markings that makes us go, “AWWWW!”

To read more on this story, click here: These Cute Cats Wear Their Hearts On Their Fur

The 12 Most Important Things You Need to Know About Cats

Not all cats have all of these traits but if you are thinking of getting a cat, you should know that the cat you end up getting may or may not exhibit all of these traits, but it will have some of them.

It’s kind of like a menu at a Chinese restaurant and just about as scientific too.

• Sleeping on your lap — most, but definitely not all cats, have this trait. It starts out as a good thing, especially when they’re mere kittens. But as they get older, they also get heavier. Some cats, however may bite and scratch when placed on a human’s lap because that’s the last place on Earth they want to be.

To read more on this story, click here: The 12 Most Important Things You Need to Know About Cats

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Cat, Kitten, Feline, Pet, Cat Health, Kitten Health, 

Feral Cats: The Neighbors You May Never See

It is estimated that the feral cats living on the streets of the United States number in the tens of millions. What are feral cats? They are distinct from stray cats—“domesticated pet cats who have been raised among humans but became lost or were abandoned. These stray cats are accustomed to, and in many senses depend upon, human society; they therefore can and should be returned to their owners or adopted into a new home.

Feral cats, on the other hand, are cats of the domesticated species who have been raised apart from humans or separated too long from human company and have returned to “wild” ways. They cannot be socialized and are not adoptable as pets, although kittens born to feral cats, if taken before about the age of eight to 10 weeks, can be socialized and adopted. Some people attempt to “tame” feral cats in order to make them adoptable, but this has been shown to be virtually impossible, as a feral cat’s nature is to live independently among other cats and to range freely outdoors, avoiding strangers and escaping from confinement. A feral cat may rarely learn to accept human companionship and live inside a house, but it is not the cat’s natural home, and the situation is far more stressful for the cat than living outside in its colony. Further, the amount of resources spent on trying to make a few feral cats adoptable could be better used in other ways, such as spay and neuter services.

To read more on this story, click here: Feral Cats: The Neighbors You May Never See

Researchers Trained Dogs To Sniff out COVID-19 Infections In Just A Few Days

After just a few days of training, dogs in Germany proved capable of identifying people infected with COVID-19, according to researchers. The dogs, part of a study by a veterinary university in Germany, were able to sniff out the coronavirus with stunning accuracy.

To read more on this story, click here: Researchers Trained Dogs To Sniff out COVID-19 Infections In Just A Few Days