One Raccoon in a Chicago Suburb Apparently Ate So Well it Got Caught in a Sewer Grate

Turns out the feeling many people relate to after a big meal isn't unique to humans.

Authorities said they found the creature stuck while trying to climb out of a Zion sewer grate. The officers had been called to the area for assistance when they discovered the unexpected scene.

“It seems this little guy has been eating a little too well and got caught in the sewer grate,” the Zion Police Department wrote on Facebook.

The raccoon was so big officers couldn’t help it out of the grate, so they called the Zion Public Works Department.

“They were able to free him and our friend was no worse for wear,” the police department wrote.


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Daylight Saving Time Ends on Sunday, November 5, 2017

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday - don't forget to turn back your clocks!

Click HERE to see how this all got started

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A Central Florida Woman Was Arrested on Suspicion of Riding a Horse in the Middle of a Road While Drunk

Lakeland, Florida  - A central Florida woman was arrested on suspicion of riding a horse in the middle of a road while drunk.

Donna Byrne, 53, was arrested on charges of DUI and animal neglect after she was found riding the horse on Combee Road near North Crystal Lake Road in Lakeland.

Deputies said Byrne reeked of alcohol, had red, watery eyes and was staggering. Deputies said she provided breath samples that showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.157 and 0.161, about twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Florida.

"Ms. Byrne was obviously not in any condition to be on the road," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "She not only put herself and the horse in danger, but also anyone who was driving on the road, which is typically very busy."

Authorities said Byrne was charged with animal neglect because she did not provide proper protection for the horse, which she put in jeopardy of being injured or killed. 

The Sheriff's Office said Byrne's criminal history includes five felony and 10 misdemeanor charges, including cruelty to animals, drug possession and a probation violation.

The horse was taken to the Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control livestock facility.


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Man Claims That a Psychic Cat He Inherited from His Aunt Has Put His Marriage in Jeopardy

An astonishing purchase was made by a Siberian witch, who bought a psychic cat back in January of this year. She paid $86,000 dollars for this fabulous feline. Apparently, this cat was inherited by a man named Dmitry R from Russia after his aunt had died. The cat was originally named as Charles Utkins. When he received the cat, rather bizarre things started happening in his life. He knew something was special about this particular cat.

Dmitry R claimed that this cat put his marriage in jeopardy as well. Word about this cat, quickly spread around Russia. Eventually, this Siberian witch learned of the cat. She later would approach Dmitry, offering to buy the cat from him at his home in Blagoveshchensk.

She said this cat would be most useful in her ritual magic practices. This strange story continued to spread and quickly became viral. Dmitry said, that the cat would suddenly appear from behind locked doors, often playing mind games with him. The cat used mind control, forcing him to buy cat food in the middle of the night sometimes.

Dmitry said: ”The doors to the rooms were closed, and the cat, shut away elsewhere, suddenly appears in the room from behind closed doors, although nobody let him go.

He reads minds, but the worst thing—he inspires thoughts. And these thoughts will be fulfilled, they are impossible to resist. He made me go shopping and buy what he needed.

Before I met Utkins (the cat) I… did not believe in supernatural things. But this creature managed to inspire me to thoughts and shame me to do what I do not want to do.

For example, I do not eat fish, at all, I don’t like it, or sausages. He would wake me up at 5 am with a strong desire to eat fish or sausage. So much so, that I had to go out right then to buy it and give it to the cat. And as soon as the cat started to eat, my hunger disappeared,”

Dmitry also said, that this cat would stare out into space, seeing things that humans simply cannot. Dmitry made mention about his marriage, saying that his wife felt uneasy around this “psychic cat”. Life continued to be difficult for the couple, inevitably putting a strain on their marriage. They got rid of the cat, to the witch and walked away richer in different ways.

The clairvoyant (the Siberian witch) proclaimed by the media, came to have a look at the cat and wasted no time offering to buy it from them. When she arrived at their doorstep, she was dressed in expensive clothes.

She was young and attractive with long blonde hair. She departed to Novosibirsk with her new cat now called “Charlie”. A special veterinarian passport was made for the cat. The witch proclaimed that the cat will pay off for her. She has a website with respectable clientele. The cat will now assist the witch with seances and other rituals.

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Thinking About Getting a Lamb for a Pet? What You Need to Know

Lambs are gentle animals that are easy to handle and respond well to humans. They come in several different breeds, some of which require annual shearing (trimming) and others that shed naturally on an annual basis.

The most popular breed is a miniature lamb. Lambs are social animals and love to be around others. They can be playful and comical animals that form close bonds with their owners. Raising one by bottle-feeding forms an even stronger bond since the lamb will think you are its mother.

Most lambs get along great with children and other pets. As long you have a female (called a ewe) or neutered male (known as a wether), you shouldn’t expect to have to make adjustments to your existing residents. Keep in mind that rams (males that have not been neutered) should be neutered as early as recommended; neutering an older ram once he shows signs of aggression is no guarantee of behavior control, and he may still pose a risk to other animals and humans.

Ongoing care is relatively minimal. If you have a wooled lamb, it will need to be sheared once or twice per year. Vaccinations are recommended every year, as well as de-worming since worms and parasites can cause anemia or death.

The Negatives

Lambs will poop and pee wherever, and whenever they need. This isn’t too conducive to an indoor-only pet, but several owners use disposable diapers and cut out a hole for the tail. These will generally last a few hours, and as the lamb grows you can switch to larger sizes or adult diapers. House training a lamb is extremely difficult if not impossible, so have a plan for the waste.

Intact males or sheep with horns can grow larger and become aggressive toward other pets and people. Horns can puncture furniture, walls and even people. This is a safety concern, so most people recommend getting neutered males and removing horns. However, dehorning is considered a cruel procedure. That’s why we urge you to choose a breed or strain that is naturally hornless (known as polled sheep). Or get a ewe rather than a ram, though you should be aware that even females can have horns.

Before you start searching for a pet lamb, check with your local laws and ordinances. Most places that allow this type of pet are rural areas. You may run into restrictions in suburban or city areas or be required to register your lamb, so do your homework first.

Another negative to consider is absence. Most kennels and sitters won’t allow you to drive on by and drop off your dog while adding a lamb to the mix. Make sure you have a plan for long absences, vacations or emergencies that require you to leave your pet. An experienced veterinarian will also be needed, so check to see which vets are near you and whether they treat livestock (specify that you are planning to get a pet lamb).

If you’re still interested in keeping a lamb as a pet, here are some other things to consider.

Containment

If your lamb will be allowed or kept outdoors, use a woven or net wire fencing. Barbed wire is not recommended; nor is tethering (tying the animal to a stake or other object by leash or rope). A lamb can get caught up in both of these and also risks injury from a predator.

Lambs need shelter from heat and cold, so be prepared to build a shelter or adapt an existing outbuilding for this purpose. One suggestion is a large doggie door on a garage.

If you’re keeping your lamb indoors only, use baby gates to block off access as desired. As lambs increase in size they may also increase in their jumping height. Be prepared to install a higher gate or door to restrict access to off-limit areas.

Nutrition

Lambs need access to clean water at all times. If you are bottle-feeding, get a replacement milk made for lambs. Sometimes goat milk replacements will work, and sometimes the lamb might encounter issues with both. Consult your veterinarian as needed. Calf milk replacement or other forms of livestock milk are not recommended.

Sheep prefer coarse grasses like timothy; your local feed store should sell an appropriate feed mix. Grain supplements are good for young or elderly lambs, but make sure that you regulate the amount you give them since overfeeding grain can cause serious harm. Lambs will eat to the point of gorging themselves, so monitor their intake. Excessive intake can also create bloat just as with dogs, and this can be fatal. Lambs also enjoy salt blocks or loose mineral salt.

Don’t let lambs eat from the garden or give them clippings. There are many non-native plants and flowers that are toxic to lambs. If you have fruit trees, you will want to fence them in. Lambs love fruit trees and will eat from them until there is nothing left.

Always make sure that anything you buy or give your lamb is specifically intended for lambs, or consult your veterinarian. Most products made for goats are acceptable too, but check first just to be sure.

Grooming

Some breeds will require shearing of their coat once or twice a year. Other breeds have a mixture of fur and wool and shed naturally. If you plan to get a lamb to sell the wool for profit, you might want to reconsider. There is very little profit or availability to sell the wool to commercial markets. They already have high-volume suppliers and pay the lowest prices. If you have local craftsmen, hand spinners, or an arts and crafts outlet nearby, they might be interested in buying the wool from you.

You will also need to have the hooves trimmed as needed on a regular basis. Doing this yourself can be difficult without experience, and once you see pink you are getting close to the nerves and blood vessels. I definitely recommend letting a professional perform this part of the grooming since improper hoof maintenance can cause pain, difficulty walking and lameness.

These recommendations are important things to consider when choosing a lamb as your next pet. It is strongly advised that you check your local supply or feed store, consulting a veterinarian who is experienced with livestock, and ensuring that you will be able to provide a safe and happy environment. If adopting a lamb sounds ideal but you just don’t have the time or space, you can adopt one online




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Stephens City, Virginia – Meet Gus and Laurie, 7-Month-Old Bonded Pair Looking for Their Forever Home Together

Sharing from: The Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue: "They've only ever known each other. They were found as strays at three months old and have since lived in someone’s barn. They’re around 7 months old now and we are so hopeful that we can find someone to keep these two together. If you’re looking for a bonded pair, look no further."

If you're interested in adopting Gus and Laurie, you can apply at shenandoahrescue.org/adoption-process.

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Congratulations to Humane Rescue Alliance President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, Who Was Honored Last Night at the WBJ 2017 Women Who Mean Business Awards Program

Congratulations to Humane Rescue Alliance President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine, who was honored last night at the Washington Business Journal's 2017 Women Who Mean Business awards program. The program honors the areas most influential businesswomen and those who have made a substantial impact in their industry and communities. Learn more about Lisa’s impact on the world of animal welfare and her passion for advocating for the people and animals in our community.

Take a look at her video: Lisa LaFontaine 


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A Vet Technician Has Been Charged with Animal Cruelty for Keeping a Dog After Owner Was Told it Was Euthanized

A vet technician has been charged with animal cruelty for keeping a dog after owner was told it was euthanized.

Andrea Oliveira, from Freehold, New Jersey, is accused of taking an elderly dog from vet Dr George Menez and keeping it alive for five months.

Dr Menez, who hasn’t been charged with a criminal offence, is alleged to have told owner Keri Levy that he euthanised her miniature pinscher Caesar at Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in May.

It was reported that the vets believed the dog could be nursed back to health.

Ms Levy said her 15-year-old dog was suffering from Cushing’s disease, a condition which affects elderly dogs.

She claims Dr Menez telephoned her to say Caesar was ‘at peace’, hours after she said goodbye to her pet.

However, she received an anonymous message earlier this month from someone who said her dog was still alive and being looked after by an employee at the vet practice.

Police said Oliveira did not believe the dog needed to be put down and thought she could nurse it back to health.

Caesar has since been put down under the supervision of a different vet.

The health of the animal before its death is now a matter of dispute.

Police said the dog was given back to its owner in good spirits and showed no signs of ill-health, but Ms Levy said his condition had deteriorated.

Police said Dr Menez allowed Oliveira to take the dog home with her but didn’t inform the owner.

‘This employee wanted to do so out of compassion for the dog and a desire to rehabilitate his health, albeit without the owner’s consent,’ Howell Police Detective Sergeant Christian Antunez told the Mail Online.

After receiving the anonymous message that Caesar was still alive, Ms Levy contacted the practice but both Dr Menez and Oliveira had stopped working there.

Ms Levy claims she then contacted Dr Menez and he gave her the name of the former colleague who had taken her dog.

His owner said the dog’s health had deteriorated dramatically in the five months and she took him to be put down at a different hospital.

You can read the initial story here: Family Dog Was Supposed to Cremated: Found Alive At Veterinary Worker’s Home

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