Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021

Three bear cubs, a bobcat and a pig rescued from Northern California fires in 2021 went safely home or will soon be released.

In October, the Redding Record Searchlight published stories about animals who were victims of the state's raging wildfires, including the 1,500-square-mile Dixie Fire.

They and other animals were rescued by wildlife experts and caring neighbors. Injured wildlife received medical attention, then bunked at animal refuges where volunteers fed them and helped them keep their specialized skills and wild ways.

As 2021 wrapped up, we circled back with people who care for five of the animals we featured to see how they were doing.

To read more on this story, click here: Here's what happened to animals rescued in Dixie, Lava, Antelope, Fawn fires in 2021

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The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

 

Wannabe pet owners hoping to bring a new puppy or kitten home this Christmas are being urged to research the seller behind the pet to avoid being 'petfished'. 

A recent survey of UK cat and dog owners by the' British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), found over a quarter (27%) had come across a seller or advert that made them feel suspicious of the welfare of the pet, while purchasing their last cat or dog.

It seems soon-to-be pet owners aren't taking appropriate care in checking out the person selling a prospective pet, with less than half (43%) of UK dog or cat owners saying they visited the seller in-person in the animal’s home when researching their recent pet purchase.

To read more on this story, click here: The danger of ‘Petfishing’ - and how to stop it happening this Christmas

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Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99

 Among the many highlights of a career that began in 1949 were star turns on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 1970s and “Saturday Night Live” in 2010.

Betty White, who created two of the most memorable characters in sitcom history, the nymphomaniacal Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and the sweet but dim Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” — and who capped her long career with a comeback that included a triumphant appearance as the host of “Saturday Night Live” at the age of 88 — died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99

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The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with animal cruelty

The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with three counts of animal cruelty after one of the zebras was reported last week to have been discovered dead in a snare trap.

Jerry Holly, the owner of an exotic animal breeding business in Upper Marlboro, Md., about 20 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., is accused of inflicting and authorizing "unnecessary suffering or pain on a Zebra," according to court documents obtained by NPR. Holly was also charged with not providing adequate shelter or food.

To read more on this story, click here: The owner of three escaped zebras in Maryland has been charged with animal cruelty

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Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video

The best friendships are the ones that transcend our differences, and no pairing could illustrate this more than the closeness between one woman and her ostrich.

Posting to TikTok, Wendy Adriaens, known on the app as wendy_adriaens shared a clip of herself and one of her pet ostich's locked in an embrace.

The video begins with the Adriaens, who calls herself "The Ostrich Whisperer" standing in a muddy enclosure, holding aloft a large white blanket.

To see the video, click here: Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video

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Maryland couple taking care of escaped zebras starts foundation aiming to help

The zebras that escaped from an Upper Marlboro farm have evaded capture for nearly two months, but a couple tells 7News they have been caring for the large mammals.

“All of a sudden I’m in the middle of trying to save zebras. I would never in a million years think I’d be here," Theodore McKenzie stated.

McKenzie is a groundskeeper on a large, private property that backs to the zebra farm.

"We reached out to the farm owner and that didn’t really go anywhere.”

In fact, McKenzie is the person who found one of the three zebras caught in a snare trap, dead from dehydration.

To read more on this story, click here: Maryland couple taking care of escaped zebras starts foundation aiming to help

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Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

The fact Hansel the pit bull is still alive is a minor miracle, but the hero dog is doing more than just living—he's working to help his local fire department save lives all while chipping away at the stereotype surrounding his breed.

Hansel was rescued from an alleged Canadian dog fighting ring when he was just 7 weeks old. He'd never fought, but he was still scheduled to be euthanized. Thankfully, a shelter in Florida took him in before he was plucked by the Throw Away Dogs Project, which trains dogs to become K-9 officers in the Philadelphia area.

To read more on this story, click here: Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner

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Escaped Zebra in Prince George's County found dead in illegal snare trap

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (7News) — One of the zebras that escaped from a farm in Prince George's County was found dead Thursday in a snare trap. The Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to private property in Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County and found the deceased zebra in a snare trap near a field.

The animal is believed to be among the zebras that previously escaped from a farm in Prince George's County.

Police say it is illegal to set snare traps in Maryland. At this time, the police do not have any information on who placed the trap.

To read more on this story, click here: Escaped Zebra in Prince George's County found dead in illegal snare trap

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