An outbreak of feline panleukopenia virus has hit the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control shelter, according to WTHR-TV Channel 13, and numerous cats have been infected. Panleukopenia is highly contagious and often fatal. It is A feline disease similar to parvovirus in dogs. There is no cure for the virus and cats receive supportive care if infected. Most of the cats at the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) have been placed in local rescues and shelters. Those infected will receive supportive care. The virus spread quickly amongst the shelter cats due to close quarters. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain, and is spread through direct contact. Some cats may exhibit no symptoms at all. The IACC has closed its cat section so the staff can disinfect the area. The shelter will need anywhere from 72 hours to two weeks to decontaminate the cat housing area. The shelter will not be accepting owner-surrenders during this time. Any cat surrendered while the cat section is closed is at high risk for euthanasia. Stray cats will be brought to Indy Feral, A Ttrap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for community cats.
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Who knows how long four filthy, freezing puppies were stranded in a crate by the side of the highway – but thanks to a vigilant rescuer, these dogs have a second chance to find loving families. On Friday afternoon, a volunteer for Yakima Valley Pet Rescue was driving along the highway in Yakima, Washington, when she saw the crate on the side of the road. According to Yakima Valley Pet Rescue’s Facebook page, when the volunteer, named Gina, stopped to retrieve the crate, she saw “four freezing cold and filthy puppies all huddled together in back of this crate.” The tiny pups were pushed tightly together to provide warmth and comfort to one another. Yakima Valley Pet Rescue took in the four puppies, cleaned them up, and provided them with warm baths. The puppies have now been vaccinated and de-wormed. They have full bellies and are full of hope, thanks to the organization’s staff and volunteers. The organization stated on their Facebook page on Friday: We think they are a mix of many, looks like some scruffy wirehair and maybe some blue heeler with that coloring...They are 3.5 months old and the smallest weighs 7.4 pounds. They have nice, soft, medium-length coats. They’re three brothers and one sister.” The puppies have been thriving with the care of Yakima Valley Pet Rescue’s staff and volunteers. The organization stated on their Facebook page today: “The little highway pups are coming along! They are happy little ones!” Thank you to the dedicated rescuer who found these dogs! To learn more about Yakima Valley Pet Rescue, including how you can donate to this organization, visit the organization’s website HERE and Facebook page HERE.
Your puppy is brand new and you want to protect him. The best thing you can do is to feed him a healthy, balanced diet, says Dr. Jim Dobies, a veterinarian with South Point pet hospital in Charlotte, N.C., and a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association. To read more on this story, click here: 6 Common Illnesses to Watch for in Puppies
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On October 26, 1984, at about midnight, Corporal Joseph Wing and his K9 partner responded to Mount Rainier Junior High School to assist patrol units with a burglary in progress. A perimeter was established and several announcements were made into the building instructing any suspects to surrender. When the suspects ignored those orders, Corporal Wing and Rebel deployed into the school, entering through the boiler room. As the search moved towards the far end of the school, Rebel gave indication to Corporal Wing of possible human presence within a particular classroom. Rebel entered the room, which was completely dark, and became aware of a suspect. As Rebel moved towards the suspect to make apprehension, the suspect stabbed Rebel in the chest. The armed suspect then advanced towards Corporal Wing, forcing him to deploy lethal force. Rebel was rushed to a veterinarian where he died of his injuries. Rebel served the Prince George’s County Police Department for two years and was the first K9 member of this agency to give his life in the line of duty. At the time of his death, Rebel was five years old.
Feral cats are devastating our wildlife, so we need a long-term, sustainable solution. This is where Australia's natural predators come in. A few moments on the internet will reveal that, as companion animals, cats are rivalled only by dogs. Our love affair with them is hardly surprising: they are elegant, graceful and affectionate animals. But they are also highly adaptable and successful hunters. Sadly our soft spot for them brings with it disastrous consequences for smaller wildlife species, particularly mammals, birds and reptiles. To read more on this story, click here: Top Dogs: Australian Predators Can Provide 24-7 Feral Cat Control
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From their fearsome fangs to rippling legs, spiders strike fear into many people – especially when they invade the home or workplace. Two men in Missouri have had an especially unwelcome visit from a large wolf spider, whose abdomen was covered in a writhing mass of tiny spiderlings. While the mother arachnid may have been looking for a safe place to raise her wriggling brood, her presence was met with horror by panicked onlookers. To read more on this story and see video, click here: Is This the Most Hideous Spider Video Ever?
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The pit bull breed has become shrouded in myth and misinformation in recent years. Highly publicized media reports and misleading statistics have portrayed them as violent, dangerous bullies instead of animals that deserve love and respect. For years, legislators and concerned pet owners have debated pit bulls’ reputation and temperament, bringing a cloud of negativity to over the breed. We’ve decided to clear away the confusion by busting the top 5 pit bull myths. Read on — the results may surprise you! To read more on this story, click here: Top 5 Pit Bull Myths Get Busted
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(NEWSER) – In the past three decades, wild pigs have been spreading across America like crazy — to the tune of 5 million of the porkers in 39 states. The pigs have been part of the landscape since the 1600s, when early settlers allowed them to roam; some escaped, though their numbers have long been relatively few and largely limited to the South. To read more on this story, click here: USA's Ravenous $1.5B Problem: 5 Million Wild Pigs
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