New Jersey Prepares to Open a Gruesome Black Bear Trophy Hunt

New Jersey is poised to allow trophy hunters to kill the state’s beloved black bears starting next month using barbaric methods like baiting the animals with piles of rotting sugary food. The plan would also allow hunters to chase bears off state lands, where bear hunting is not allowed, and onto private lands, just so they can be killed. Worse, it would allow the killing of baby bear cubs—a cruelty now allowed in only one other state, Alaska.

This unethical policy from the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is highly unpopular within the state, and a Humane Society of the United States poll last year showed that a supermajority of New Jersey residents oppose it. An even stronger majority is opposed to bear baiting. But unfortunately, attempts in the state legislature to prohibit baiting bears or bear trophy hunting have not been brought up for full floor votes.

To read more on this story, click here: New Jersey Prepares to Open a Gruesome Black Bear Trophy Hunt

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Your Dog Has Diabetes. Here Are The Next Steps:

My dog has what?! Whatever the symptoms were that made you take your pup to the vet, good for you for taking him/her in to see your veterinarian! For most people, the diagnosis is a shock… a HUGE surprise! Who even knew that dogs can get diabetes? The first thing that you do now is breathe. Deep breaths…

To read more on this story, click here: Your Dog Has Diabetes. Here Are The Next Steps:

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These Are the 11 Heaviest Dog Breeds, So Keep the Treats to a Minimum

These are the pooches most likely to be a little husky. (Pun intended.)From Woman's Day

These Are the 11 Heaviest Dog Breeds, So Keep the Treats to a Minimum

Just like humans, too little exercise and too much food can lead to weight gain in pooches. (Dogs! They're just like us!) However, some dog breeds are more likely to pack on the pounds than others. The heaviest dog ever reported by the Guinness Book of World Records was Zorba, an English Mastiff, who weighed an impressive 343 pounds. Your pup may not be in danger of beating Zorba's record, but if your dog is one of the fattest dog breeds (such as an English Mastiff), then you should keep an eye on their kibble consumption.

To read more on this story, click here: These Are the 11 Heaviest Dog Breeds, So Keep the Treats to a Minimum

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This Japanese Artist Creates Hats For Cats Made From Their Own Hair

If you’re a cat owner, you probably know that if there’s one things cats hate, it’s accessories. As much as we’d like to turn our cats into little cowboys or Santas, the hats fly off of their heads faster than you can blink. So imagine our surprise when we came across these cats calmly posing and rocking adorable furry hats!

These funky and stylish cat hats were created by a Japanese couple – photographer Ryo Yamazaki with his wife Hiromi – and are actually made from the cats’ own shed hair. The three handsome models, Nyaa, Mar and Mugi, seem to love posing with all sorts of hats from little aviator helmets to fancy Victorian wigs – check them out in the gallery below!

 To read more on this story, click here: This Japanese Artist Creates Hats For Cats Made From Their Own Hair

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It’s a Boy!

Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cub Is Male

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s 6-week-old giant panda cub is a male, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists confirmed. During the cub’s first veterinary exam Sept. 19, Zoo veterinarians obtained a swab from his cheek for DNA analysis. Outwardly, male and female cubs appear similar at birth, so a genetic test was the most accurate way to determine the cub’s sex. Veterinarians brought the swab to SCBI’s Center for Conservation Genomics, where scientists sequenced a short fragment of the zinc finger protein gene. The X and Y chromosomes both have this gene, with slightly different DNA sequences. Scientists determined that the swab sample taken by the Zoo’s veterinarians has both sequences present—confirming that the cub is male. A painting created by male giant panda Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN), the cub’s father, was used to reveal the sex of the cub to giant panda keepers and fans online.

To read more on this story, click here: It’s a Boy!

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Hypothyroidism In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

Hypothyroidism in dogs is a disorder where the thyroid gland in the neck doesn’t secrete enough thyroxine, a hormone that controls metabolism. This means that a dog’s body is no longer able to convert food into fuel at an appropriate rate.

Age, breed, lifestyle, and exposure to certain substances can all influence the onset of hypothyroidism in canines. Symptoms can range from lethargy and weight gain to seizures and heart problems.

To read more on this story, click here: Hypothyroidism In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

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Zoo Removes Parrots From View After They Kept Cursing At Visitors

There is no audio in this story. So you will not hear the parrots.

Polly’s got a potty mouth.

A group of parrots at a UK zoo have been removed after repeating obscene language at visitors.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park received the five African grey parrots back in August and quarantined them together in the same room, Lincolnshire Live reported. However, the close proximity seemed to have brought out the worst in the birds.

To read more on this story, click here: Zoo Removes Parrots From View After They Kept Cursing At Visitors

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Black Dog Syndrome: Why Black Dogs Are Less Likely To Be Adopted

Black dogs have a difficult time at the shelter than most people realize. It is especially true of larger dogs. Although there is not a lot of research that proves it is true, most shelter workers will tell you that big black dog syndrome (BDS) does exist and the reasons why are beyond sad.

Shelter workers will likely tell you that black dogs, as well as black cats, will not get adopted from the shelter as readily as other dogs and they are more likely to be euthanized. There are some studies that show the opposite is true but since there is not any data pointing toward the scientific facts, I would be likely to trust the people who actually see it for themselves, the workers at the shelters.

To read more on this story, click here: Black Dog Syndrome: Why Black Dogs Are Less Likely To Be Adopted

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