Washington, DC - Meet Rocky, The Most Interesting Cat in the World - He's Ready to Retire From The Washington Humane Society, And Find His Forever Home By Christmas (Video)

Hi There - I'm Rocky! I'm a special kitty who can be quite independent but I also love the company of humans. I love to sit with them and enjoy head scratches. My hobbies also include watching the birds outside or playing with some good old-fashioned cat toys.

I live in an office at WHS where I can sit in on meetings and help with operations. As much as I have enjoyed running things around here, I'm ready to retire my work and go back to the life of a kitty with a family of its very own. I am a little unique because I am FIV positive, which means I have a somewhat weakened immune system. ASPCA - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/feline-immunodeficiency-virus-fiv

This doesn't put me down however! And don't be scared' I'm in good health and can live a normal kitty lifespan! I just need twice a year vet checks and to be an indoor kitty so I don't get exposed to funky stuff. This also means that I must be an only kitty in my future home, which is fine by me because I am totally meant to be the King of the Castle!

I've been with WHS since March 2014 and the only thing on my Christmas Wish List is to find a forever home for the Holidays!

Won't you make my wish come true? Meet me at the New York Avenue Adoption Center from 12-7pm and adopt me today! And don't forget to follow me on Instagram: @whsrocky to check out all my cute photos. [Because Rocky is so special, his adoption fee is WAIVED!]

Rocky

Animal ID: 22188668
Species: Cat
Breed: Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Age: 2 years 8 months 19 days
Sex: Male
Size: Medium
Color: Brown/White
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed: No
Site: Washington Humane Society
Location: Office Foster

If you are interested in adopting Rocky, please read: Steps to Adopt

District of Columbia Animal Care and Control
New York Avenue Adoption Center
1201 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-576-6664

Adoption Center Hours:
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Wednesdays
Click for holiday hours

Take a look at Rocky!

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Do Not Feed These Foods To Your Pets At Thanksgiving

The upcoming holiday season can be a delicious time around your home. While these rich and tasty foods may seem like an extra special treat for your cats and dogs, it's important to be aware of the dangers of certain ingredients. These tips will keep both owners and pets happy and healthy this holiday season!

Make no bones about it: Although, Fido may say 'yes' to a turkey drumstick, keep bones away from your pet.  Turkey bones can cause serious injury to your pet if they splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet's digestive track.

Limit table food treats: Too many fatty, rich or unfamiliar foods for your pet can cause painful and serious medical conditions.

Sage advice: No stuffing for pets. Sage and other herbs often used to make turkey stuffing contain essential oils and resins that can cause stomach upset and central nervous system depression in pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of these oils.

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Santa Will Be Visiting Coolridge Animal Hospital To Take Donations of Any Unopened Pet food, Pet Accessories and Even Money to Be Donated to a Local Rescue or Shelter

Camp Springs, Maryland - We are very excited to announce that Santa will be visiting Coolridge Animal Hospital this year! He will be taking donations of any unopened dog or cat food, litter, toys, beds and even money. All proceeds will be donated to a local rescue or shelter! In return for this donation you will receive a picture of you and Santa!!

Stayed tuned for date/times TBA next week.

Santa has asked that all the fur babies write to Santa via Facebook or by email coolridgeah@gmail.com, and let Santa know if you have been naughty or nice this year, and what your little heart desires from Santa.

The best Dear Santa Letter will receive a special gift from Santa!

The Pet Tree House will post the date and time next week!

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Pet Photos with Santa - All Proceeds to Benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society - December 6

Come by 1300 East Gude Drive, Rockville on Saturday, December 6 from noon to 4:00 p.m. for Pet Pictures with Santa.

Well-behaved pets & their family members are welcome to climb into Santa's lap and tell him that they have been good this year. And our photographers will capture the moment. $15 per photo, no appointment needed.

Dogs must be leashed and cats and other animals must be in carriers until portrait time. All of the proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society's homeless animals.

All of the proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society

About: The Montgomery County Humane Society:
The Montgomery County Humane Society is the largest animal welfare organization in Montgomery County, providing rescue and care to homeless animals. We offer a full range of services including foster care, adoption counseling, behavior seminars, bereavement support, humane learning, community outreach, volunteer training and much more.

Our Mission:
Our mission also includes public education on topics including the importance of spaying and neutering, animal behavior and training, responsible pet ownership, emergency preparedness, and protecting wildlife. We work with all ages -- from preschoolers to senior citizens -- to help local residents create a fulfilling, lifelong bond with their pets, develop respect for all animals, and appreciate how they are connected to the larger environment.

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Washington Humane Society - We Are Hosting Our Annual Holiday Photos with Your Pet Events Throughout the Month of December at Various Locations Across the DC Metro Area

Washington, DC, - The Washington Humane Society will host our annual Holiday Photos with your Pet events throughout the month of December at various locations across the DC metro area. Locations, dates and times are listed below:






Holiday Photos with your Pet
Saturday December 6, 2014
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Saks Fifth Avenue
5555 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Sunday December 7, 2014
10:00am - 1:00pm
Big Bad Woof
117 Carroll St. NW Washington, DC 20012

Saturday December 13, 2014
11:00am - 3:00pm
Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center
5104 MacArthur Blvd. NW. Washington, DC 20016

Sunday December 14, 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Metro Mutts: Pet Supplies and Services
508 H St. NE Washington, DC 20002

Saturday December 20, 2014
10:00am - 2:00pm
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave. NW 20009

Sunday Decebmer 21, 2014
11:00am - 3:00pm
Hotel Monaco
700 F St. NW, Washington DC 20004

About: The Washington Humane Society:
The Washington Humane Society is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to over 43,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

Our Mission:
While the heart of our mission remains rescuing animals in trouble and finding them good, permanent homes, we also focus on preventing suffering through humane education targeted toward at-risk youth, low-cost spay/neuter services offered at our spay/neuter center and by diligently enforcing the District's anti-cruelty laws.

Awards:
WHS was awarded a 2013 Top-Rated Nonprofit Award from the Great Nonprofits review website.

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The MD SPCA Urbanites Are Hosting Hope for the Holidays Donation Drive & Pet Photos with Santa - December 6

The MD SPCA Urbanites are hosting a Hope for the Holidays pet toy and supply drive at the MD SPCA on Saturday, December 6th, and you are invited! Get in the holiday spirit while helping needy pets.

Gather your friends and co-workers and start collecting toys, towels, pet food (for our Kibble Connection program) and treats for the homeless dogs and cats at the MD SPCA. Bring your donations and have your pet's photo taken with Santa. For more information, click HERE!

Pet photos with Santa are BACK!

Saturday, December 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maryland SPCA (3300 Falls Rd, Baltimore, Maryland 21211)

Bring an in-kind and/or $5 donation to have your pet's photo taken with Santa.

Donations benefit the pets of the MD SPCA and community project, Kibble Connection.

To view our holiday wish-list for the animals of the MD SPCA, click HERE! 

Photos courtesy of Still Treasured Photography will be posted on our Facebook page after the event.

Coffee and sweets courtesy of Common Ground Café and Coffee.

About: The Maryland SPCA
Helping animals since 1869! We are an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets and people in the community. www.mdspca.org

Our Mission:
The Maryland SPCA is a private, nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to helping animals and people. Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and people.

We operate primarily in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan area. We are not affiliated with any national animal organization, and we do not receive any operating funding from the government or United Way. All SPCAs operate separately and independently and are not affiliated with The Maryland SPCA.

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California Fisherman Catches, Befriends, Releases Giant Lobster

A fisherman in California recently made a giant find – a nearly 12-pound lobster.

“It’s an unbelievable cockroach,” Forrest Galante said in a video showcasing the crustacean. Galante slapped the lobster to his torso like it was a chest plate, with the lobster’s legs wrapped under his arms.

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Meet the Feral Cats of Disneyland

What child didn’t grow up wishing they could live in the Cinderella castle at Disneyland? Who hasn’t closed their eyes and wished with all their might that they could be Cinderella? Well … maybe you didn’t need to set your sights so high to gain entrance to the illustrious castle, if you had wished to be a cat you may have had better luck!

It is a little known fact that Disneyland is not only home to fantastical creatures, but also a colony of feral cats! Cats have taken up residence at Disneyland since 1955. Allegedly, Walt Disney found the cats living in the building that is now Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and rather than evicting the four-legged intruders from the grounds, he let them stay. The cats were natural hunters and could fend for themselves. They even proven helpful to control any unwanted rodent populations – yeah, we’re looking at you Minnie! Disney now runs a TNR program to help control the cat population and there is even a vet clinic that helps ensure they all stay healthy.

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Dr. Katy's Tips For Keeping Your Fur-Kids Safe This Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we hope that you get to spend lots of time with loved ones over delicious food!

But, as Freshpet friend and veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson reminds us, there are some very important things to keep in mind this Thanksgiving in order to keep your fur-kid safe. We asked Dr. Katy to give us the inside scoop on what pet parents can do to prepare for the holiday. So, what tips does she have for us?

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Thanksgiving Pet Safety

The fragrant smell of Thanksgiving dinner permeating throughout your home is likely to whip your four-legged friend into a food frenzy. Unfortunately, the holiday meal could be lethal for your pet but by following a few simple precautions, you will ensure the upcoming holiday weekend will be happy and healthy for the entire family.

When planning for Thanksgiving, consider the following:

• Don’t give your animal different food than they would normal get. Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, none of which are welcome during this festive weekend.

• Discourage your family members and guests from indulging your pet with inappropriate snacks. Food high in sodium (especially peanuts and chips) and other fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.

• Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper from holiday foods. If you pet can get to it, he or she will lick the food off foils or wraps. The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.

• Secure your garbage. It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.

• Keep chocolate away from you dog. Chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, can be harmful to your pooch. Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of bad reaction to chocolate.

• Turkey bones are also dangerous for you pet. Any brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.

• Maintain his regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Minimizing the stress of animal means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he will not feel neglected or insecure.

• Keep your pet home and away from parade celebrations. With the large crowds, your pet can become stressed or even worse, can get lost in the crowd.

• Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times. Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure the supply is clean. Busy children and relatives may bump a bowl and spill the water.

• Provide a quiet refuge for your animal. With all the holidays fanfare, you pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family. A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another. Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.

• Keep current registration and identification tags on you pet. With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to wander off.

By being aware of these dangers to your pet, you can ensure both you and your pet the best possible holidays.


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Ticked Off! Picking Up After Your Pets

We have been asking our viewers what ticks them off and our new segment took us to a battle brewing on Capitol Hill and it isn't about politics. It turns out dog owners and homeowners are ticked off there!

The issue is what some of those dog owners are leaving behind in the homeowners' trash.

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Cuban Couple Keeps Rodents Called Hutias As Pets

Bainoa, Cuba (AP) — Some people keep guinea pigs or hamsters as pets.

But in Cuba, where a larger, more exotic rodent runs wild, Ana Pedraza and her husband prefer the hutia.

With a rope-like tail and long front teeth, the hutia looks like a giant rat, only cuter, some would say. They live in Cuba and other Caribbean islands where they are sometimes hunted for food.

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Have You Ever Wondered Why Your Cat Keeps Rubbing Against Your Leg?

Ever wondered why your cat keeps rubbing against your leg? Or why kitty goes crazy over catnip? Well, you're in luck.

A new YouTube video (below) from the American Chemical Society uses chemistry to answer these and other questions about familiar feline phenomena.

One watch, and everything will be purrfectly clear. Meow!

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Here's Why Dogs Kick Their Legs When You Rub Their 'Sweet Spot'

Fido just can't help himself. Each time you scratch that sweet spot on his belly, his hind leg starts kicking like crazy--but why?

Ultimately, it's all about self-preservation.

"Dogs kick when we scratch their belly because it's an involuntary reflex," Dr. Marc Bekoff, a canine expert based in Boulder, Colorado, and author of the book "Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed," told The Huffington Post in an email.

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