We’re having serious #familygoal envy over here. This tribe of four dogs, a cat, and two ducks is the brood we’ve always dreamed of. They love each other, protect each other, dress like each other, nurture each other, and do literally everything together. Kasey Boggs of Missouri and her husband have been rescuing animals for a decade. They started with Roxie the Toy Fox Terrier who they spotted malnourished in the window of a pet shop. They nursed her back to health and then got the shop shut down for selling unhealthy animals with forged records. To read more on this story, click here:This Family of Dogs and Cats and Ducks Does Everything Together and We Are Squealing
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.
San Francisco, California - Amid the pumps and IV machines, ventilators, and monitors at in the intensive care unit at UCSF Medical Center, a “purrfectly” trained professional is making the rounds: a 7-year-old tuxedo cat. His name is Duke Ellington Morris “When he first mentioned it, I was, like, ‘Is it a dog?’ Nope – a kitty!” chuckled patient Susan Wuann. “Oh, this cat’s phenomenal!” exclaimed patient Marcy Harrison. “It’s pretty exciting to meet him and see a cat in the hospital.” said nurse David Goldberger. For both the patients and staff, Duke is one cool cat. “I was skeptical of the idea until I met Duke and was, like, this works for us,” said Steven Koster, who facilitates the animal-assisted therapy program at UCSF with the San Francisco SPCA. All the pets who participate in the program are vetted and healthy. “The staff who has been involved with the animal assisted therapy program are very careful to make sure the animals are very safe to be in the ICU,” said UCSF Adult Critical Care Director Dr. Matt Aldrich The goal is to facilitate healing, promote wellbeing, and share a little love. Studies show pet therapy can reduce blood pressure, pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. And Duke is a pretty mellow cat. “When you have this animal that comes in here like Duke … you can pet him, you can stroke him. He gives you a sense of being connected as a human again. So it’s really a wonderful thing,” explained patient Andre Ross. These days, Duke – a rescue cat – pretty much rules this ICU and his owners are happy to share him. “I think he rescued us. there’s no doubt in my mind,” said owner Jennifer Morris. “He’s just a sweetheart.” “It really does make you feel good,” added Harrison. “This is the cream on the top,” exclaimed Wuan. As for Duke? He just lapped it up.
This is Samson, the largest cat in New York City. Dr. Lisa Lippman, a Manhattan veterinarian, said he is by far the biggest cat she has ever heard of! Samson, a Maine coon, is four feet long and weighs 28 pounds! For perspective, an average cat weighs between 8-10 lbs and is about 2 feet long! It is not unusual, however, for Maine Coon cats to weigh between 15 to 20 lbs. According to his dad, Splurt Zillionz, Samson is a tender, sweet, but tough guy. Samson likes to wrestle and loves to cuddle – only when no one is watching! Samson is now 4 years old and has been living with his dad in New York since November 2013. Even though the apartment in NYC are small, Samson always finds a place to hang out. Samson also loves to go for rides in his green cat stroller. Every few months, Samson gets a $120 grooming session to keep himself looking lush and fluffy! Samson eats six cans of wet food a day and uses four pounds of litter a week. Samson’s groomer, Carolyn Ayala said he is long, broad, strong, and heavy – he is not fat. He is well-proportioned. She called him a gentle giant. Because of his size, Samson has been getting a lot of attention. He is big news in New York and all around the world! Samson has over 34,000 followers on Instagram, his account is called @catstradamus. But, in typical cat fashion, Samson pretends he doesn’t care at all!
A tiny male deer fawn weighing just 1lb (450g) and measuring 6 by 6 in (15.24 x 15.24cm) was born on May 12 at Queens Zoo, NYC. Pudu are the world’s smallest deer species and the Zoo now has 3 on display. The tiny creature is still nursing but will soon be eating leaves, grain, kale, carrots, and hay. Pudu are a subspecies of the South American deer and are generally solitary animals. They bark when frightened, shiver when angered, and do not interact socially other than to mate. Pudu are so small that they count the horned owl as one of their predators, and there is a popular rumor that the deer can die from fear-induced cardiac complications.
Even the biggest animal lovers are somewhat disconnected from the rampant abuse happening to animals around the world. Powerful images and videos allow us a glimpse into some of the heartbreaking situations animals have to deal with around the world, but activists, conservationists, photojournalists, and videographers get a first-hand look and have the chance to interact with those affected. These people are in sub-Saharan Africa witnessing poachers sneak onto parks to kill African lions. They are there to see baby orangutans stand on the ashes of their formerly lush forest home that has been cleared out for palm oil. And in Sumatra, they are watching elephants in the area dwindle as more and more of these animals are pushed off their lands, killed when they step back onto it, and kidnapped in the flurry of it all. To read more on this story, click here:The Promise This Photographer Made to Endangered Elephants Will Give You Chills
