Five Amazing Elderly Chinese Women Run The Largest Dog Shelter

Five amazing women decided not to spend the Chinese New Year with family and friends. Instead they spent it with their family of 1,300 dogs. They have been spending their days taking care of the animals for the past five years.

The shelter was established in 2009, by Wang Yanfang for unwanted animals. After seeing so many dogs being taken to pounds in Weinan, Shaanxi Province, China, she decided she wanted to do something about it.

Around the time Wang opened the shelter, China introduced a “one dog rule.” This rule only permits families to keep one small dog and they must have the proper documentation to do so. As a result of this rule, they started getting more animals.

Wang enlisted the help of four other volunteers, all women in their 60s and 70s, as numbers continued to increase at her donation-run shelter These amazing women have been voluntarily taking care of the dogs every day, getting up at 4:00 a.m. to prepare the 400 kilograms of dog food needed to feed such a large pack of animals. They also spend time with the dogs and grooming them.

Wang and her volunteers have all been bitten by some of the less-friendly dogs, but feel that their work is worth it. They are all animal lovers, and are happy to save these dogs from a much worse fate. In a city nearby authorities euthanized about 37,000 dogs after a rabies outbreak..

“They’re like your children, you can’t bear to be apart from them, or to lose them,” said Wang.

These women are truly heroes for the dogs in their care.

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Washington DC's Cat Café, Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch - You're Invited to the Festivities - Sunday, March 1st

What is Crumbs & Whiskers?

Cats. desserts. Tea. Cats. Books. Coffee. Cats.

...Did we mention Cats?!

Crumbs & Whiskers brings together some amazing things. Specifically coffee, tea, desserts, and you guessed it...cats! DC's cat cafe will serve as a foster home for the Washington Humane Society's shelter cats and as a really fun place to hang out for DC residents. The concept is pretty simple. Cats in cages are sad, so we get them out of there. Anyone without a cat is sad (or should be), so we hook them up. Then, we give everybody desserts and coffee and tea. The end.

What: Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch

Date: Sunday, March 1, 2015

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location:
Penn Social
801 E St NW
Washington, DC 20004









For more information on this event, click here: Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch

Website: http://www.crumbsandwhiskers.com/



To learn how the Washington Humane Society is partnering with Crumbs & Whiskers, read my post:

Washington Humane Society - It's Official We're Partnering with Crumbs & Whiskers to Bring You DC's Own Cat Cafe

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Tips For Buying a Horse or Pony: Mistakes Most New Horse Buyers Make

Buying a horse or pony for the first time is an exciting experience. It's easy to get carried away by a big set of brown eyes, even though the horse batting them may not be the best beginner horse. However, the wrong horse can ruin the fun of horseback riding or driving and may be unsafe. Learn to avoid the top mistakes that new horse buyers make.


1.  Buying an Untrained Horse
Many experienced horsemen and women will tell you they see this too often. Because untrained horses are often cheaper, or for whatever other whim, beginner riders will choose untrained horses. Don’t buy a horse that you plan to train yourself or even send to a trainer. Training can take months. It can be dangerous if not done right. Young or inexperienced mature horses are not reliable. Beginners will be safer and happier with a horse they can enjoy the moment it gets off the trailer.

2.  Turning Down Older Horses
An older horse, who has seen the world, makes a great beginner horse. Beginners might shy away from a horse into their late teens and twenties. However, many healthy, sound horses can be ridden well into their senior years. In fact, light daily exercise, such as a quiet  hack or drive may be beneficial to both horse and rider/driver.

3.  Buying a Young Horse for Their Children to Grow Up With
This is a romantic notion, but the reality is that young horses and young beginner riders or drivers are not a safe mix. Buy your kids a mature, well trained horse they can saddle or harness up the same day you bring it home. Buy a horse that knows how to handle itself when all the scary aspects of the world present themselves—because a young beginner won’t know how. On an older, well trained horse or pony, kids will learn and have fun in greater safety.

4.  Buying at Auction
It takes a keen eye to pull a good horse out of an auction. Horses can appear docile at auction because they are so confused they ‘freeze’. Horses can be drugged to make them look calm or healthy. Things like heaves and lameness can be hidden easily with drugs. More » 

5.  Impulse Buying
Don’t buy a horse on first sight. Try the horse out, try it again, ask lots of questions. Go home and think about it for a few days. Look at other horses besides the one you’re smitten with and make comparisons. Be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the horse most suitable for you.

6.  Not Asking For a Trial Period
Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a trial period. Most private owners want their horses to go to good homes, and are confident about the type of person they feel can handle the horse. Some dealers may agree on a trial period, or help you find another horse if the one you are looking at doesn’t work out. Just ask. And if you get a ‘no’ answer, ask why. There may be a valid reason. More » 

7.  Buying a Horse to Breed
Do you want to buy a horse so you can breed it and have a foal? Before you do visit an auction where horses are destined for rendering or meat. Pay attention to how many look like the result of backyard breeding experiments. Consider if you can live with this outcome for a horse you have brought into this world. Horses should be bred because they have outstanding qualities to pass on. The fact that you love it or think it would have a really cute foal is not an outstanding quality.

8.  Buying “Too Much Horse”
You may envision yourself jumping 5 ft. concrete culverts in a cross country event. However, the reality is you’ve only been riding six months. The type of horse required for high-performance sports may not be the one suitable for safe learning. Buy a horse to match your skill and fitness level, not one to match a dream that may not come true for five years or even vanish.

9.  Buying a Horse of a Particular Color
While it is perfectly reasonable to want to own a special coat pattern horse like a Paint, palomino or Appaloosa, it isn’t wise to buy for color only. If you have a choice of several horses, and all are of the same sane mind, and good training, of course buy the color you like. However, don’t base your decision on the color if the mind and training aren’t suitable. When buying a car the adage is ‘you don’t drive the paint’. With horses, you don’t ride/drive the color.

10.  Not Considering the Time and Expense of Horse Care
Horse ownership is a big responsibility. Horses don’t stop eating and drinking on the weekend when you want to go away. The expenses don’t stop because you want to spend the money elsewhere, or you’ve been unable to work. Be honest about the time and money you are able to spend on a horse. It's okay to admit you love horses, but would rather spend $30 on trail ride or riding lesson occasionally and leave all the other expense and fuss to someone else.



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What is the Difference Between a Horse and a Pony?

If you are currently looking into horses for the first time and aren’t particularly familiar with them yet, then you may be forgiven for thinking that a pony and a horse are essentially the same thing – the common understanding it seems for many people is that ponies are just smaller horses. However this is very much not the reality, and there are many considerable differences between horses and ponies that you should familiarize yourself with if you have an interest in buying one. Here we will look at the differences between horses and ponies and examine the differences that are more than just skin deep…

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An Animal Obsessed Photographer is Looking to Eliminate the Stereotype of the 'Crazy Cat Lady' by Taking Portraits of His Male Friends and Their Felines - Proving that the Agile Pets Are Also Man's Best Friend

An animal obsessed photographer is looking to eliminate the stereotype of the 'crazy cat lady' by taking portraits of his male friends and their felines - proving that the agile pets are also man's best friend.

David Williams, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his own cat, has been photographing his male subjects and their felines since 2009 as part of his project Men & Cats.

"I found the way society genderizes animal ownership very compelling, as a portrait photographer I was interested in capturing the relationships of my male friends and their feline friends."

"It was also a good excuse to hang out with a bunch of cats", said Williams.

Williams explained that the subjects of his ongoing project are either his friends, or friends of friends.

Each thought-provoking portrait in the series features a man posing with one or more of his cats.

Although many of the shots were captured inside homes or apartments, there are images that show some men walking their cats on a leash or cuddling their feline companions outside.

"People have always responded well to the images and the idea," said Williams.

"Sometimes shooting personal work takes a very long time to pay off, so it’s also important to photograph something that you are interested in."

"I had the pleasure of photographing cinematographer, Ronen Schechner, with his cat Isabell while I was in Vermont. I never thought this project would take off like this, so thanks for all the love. Hope you enjoy this new "Men & Cats" photo, he captioned the picture.

The unique series is more than just a hobby, it's a way for Williams to showcase his work.

"I feel like shooting personal work is very important for a photographer, it gives me an opportunity to show photo editors, and art buyers what I am capable of doing when I have complete creative control. If I’m not shooting commissioned work, I am either shooting something personal, or working on ways for me to stand out as a photographer”, he said.

Man's best friend: Grant and his cat Tux posed on a green couch next to a portrait of another feline as a part of photographer David Williams's photo project Men & Cats.

Short leash: Williams, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, captured Brian while he took his cat R2-D2 on a daytime stroll through the city.

Model felines:Williams photographed Eric and his cats Pup and Bean for this bedroom portrait.

Strike a pose: Earlier this week, Williams shot this portrait of cinematographer Ronen Schechner and his cat Isabell.

       Into the wild: Brent cuddled with his feline companion Sammy for this unique outdoors shot.

Soft coats: Williams photographed Ross standing on his fluffy rug while holding his equally furry cat Jabsco.

Rock star kitty: Michael had his portrait shot in a room filled with guitars and records while his cat Sadie sat perched on his lap.

           Modern art: Matt showed off his tan and white cat Trixie along with his tattooed arm.

     Eclectic decor: Williams captured Josh relaxing with his cat Lucero inside his apartment.

Christmas kitties: Kent and his cats, Jessie and Micky sit next to holiday decorations in his home featuring leather couches and a leopard print rug.

Minimalist design: Williams captured Corey's cat Tess, as she sat narrowly perched on the corner of a side table.

Furry chef: Chad's cat Newton was comfortably sprawled on the kitchen counter in this feline friendly photo shoot.

          Unique scarf: Matt let his cat Pam curl around his neck as he posed in front of his kitchen.

    Black cat: Bird grinned from ear-to-ear as he and his feline Gertrude sat on his patio furniture.

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Everything I know About a Good Death I Learned from My Cat: And I Have Her Vet To Thank

My cat has been dying for the last two years. It is normal to me now — it is simply the state of affairs. There's a rhythm to her medication: prednisone and urosodiol in the morning, urosodiol again in the evening, chemo every other day, a vitamin B shot once a week. And now, toward the end, painkillers. Over these last two years, I've come to suspect that my cat has gotten better, more comprehensive planning around her eventual death than most people do.

Dorothy Parker — Dottie, to her friends — is a cat I adopted in Brooklyn from a local vet; she made the cross-country hop with me to Oakland with minimal fuss. Her attitude, most of the time, is that of a 14-year-old Marxist in a Che Guevara T-shirt. One of her favorite moods is murder. She likes cuddling, hates strangers, and goes crazy for ice cream. She steals cheese. I live with a tiny, vicious alien, and I love her.

My cat has been dying for the last two years. It is normal to me now — it is simply the state of affairs. There's a rhythm to her medication: prednisone and urosodiol in the morning, urosodiol again in the evening, chemo every other day, a vitamin B shot once a week. And now, toward the end, painkillers. Over these last two years, I've come to suspect that my cat has gotten better, more comprehensive planning around her eventual death than most people do.

Dorothy Parker — Dottie, to her friends — is a cat I adopted in Brooklyn from a local vet; she made the cross-country hop with me to Oakland with minimal fuss. Her attitude, most of the time, is that of a 14-year-old Marxist in a Che Guevara T-shirt. One of her favorite moods is murder. She likes cuddling, hates strangers, and goes crazy for ice cream. She steals cheese. I live with a tiny, vicious alien, and I love her.

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Labs Reigned as the Nation's Top Dog Last Year for the 24th Year: But Bulldogs Are Close Behind

America's fondness for Labrador retrievers is still setting records, but bulldogs are breaking new ground.

Labs reigned as the nation's top dog last year for the 24th year after breaking poodles' decades-old record in 2013, according to American Kennel Club rankings set to be released Thursday. But bulldogs have hit a new high — No. 4 — and their bat-eared cousins, French bulldogs, sauntered into the top 10 for the first time in nearly a century.

German shepherds, golden retrievers and beagles are holding their own in the top five, with Yorkshire terriers, poodles, boxers and Rottweilers filling out the top 10. Dachshunds slipped from 10th to 11th.

Bulldogs' rise is no surprise to fans who extol their unmistakable, push-faced expressions and generally calm demeanors.

"They just have such character," says Bulldog Club of America communications chairwoman Annette Noble. The breed is known for being gentle but resolute — given direction, a bulldog may well want "to think about it first and decide whether it's worth it," as Noble puts it.

The smaller, less jowly French bulldog — sometimes dubbed "a clown in the cloak of a philosopher" — has surged from 49th to 9th in a decade.

Frenchies were No. 6 in the decade of the 1910s, but their prevalence later waned. Then appearances in movies, TV shows and advertising raised their profile in recent years.

Labrador retrievers hit the top 10 in the 1970s and haven't left since.

Originally bred to fetch game, Labs have proven able and willing to play virtually any canine role: search-and-rescue and police work, agility and other dog sports, guide and therapy dog work, and sensitive family companion. Breeder Micki Beerman recalls one of her Labs winning over a hesitant child by gradually moving closer, until the child began to pet the dog.

"They're just very intuitive," said Beerman, of Brooklyn. "They kind of know when you need them."

The AKC doesn't release raw numbers, only rankings. They reflect puppies and other newly registered dogs.

Dog breeding draws criticism from animal-rights activists who feel it ends up fueling puppy mills, siphons attention from mixed-breed dogs that need homes and sometimes propagates unhealthy traits.

The AKC says that its breed standards and recommended health testing help responsible people breed healthy dogs and that knowing breed characteristics helps owners choose a pet that's right for them.

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Long-Term Considerations for a Successful Reef Tank

A lot of aquarists tell me that the most exciting part of a reef is setting it up and stocking the tank. For others, the excitement comes from watching the reef develop and change over time. A reef tank is certainly a long-term commitment. I often remember reading German articles, where they would describe a one year-old reef as a new system. There are certainly a lot of things that change within a reef aquarium over time. And what I'm discovering is that the habits and practices of the reef keeper have to change over time as well. This article is intended to address long-term concerns, and suggest steps a reefkeeper should consider taking with a reef aquarium that he/she intends to keep for many years.

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Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Rabbit

As a pet owner, it is important that you know the facts about spaying or neutering your house rabbit. This article covers some of the benefits to having the procedure done (if performed at the right time by a rabbit-savvy veterinarian), and it also includes a few notes on what to expect during and after the surgery.

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Rabbit
There are many benefits to spaying or neutering a rabbit. First and foremost, a fixed rabbit can live a longer, healthier life as the risk of cancer and urinary tract infections are greatly reduced.

Second, a rabbit that is spayed/neutered becomes calmer and easier to manage. Their destructive habits subside a bit,yet they don’t lose their charmingly mischievous nature. Altered rabbits are also easier to litter train and have less of an urge to spray.

Spayed and neutered house rabbits are easier to bond because of their calmer demeanor. And of course, an altered couple will not end up with a litter of baby buns. While baby bunnies are adorable, there is an issue with overpopulation. Most rabbit shelters are consistently full.

When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet Rabbit?
When male rabbits are between 3 and 5 months old, they are old enough to be neutered. Female rabbits are generally old enough to be spayed between 4 and 6 months; this is when they first reach sexual maturity. When rabbits have reached middle age (5-6 years old) they can be considered too old to be altered. Rabbits that are too young or too old are at higher risk for complications from surgery.

What to Expect from the Spay/Neuter Surgery
Spaying is the procedure performed on female rabbits to remove the reproductive organs. The procedure takes place through the abdomen. Blood vessels that lead to the reproductive tract are tied and the reproductive tract is removed. The rabbit then receives several sets of sutures to close her back up.

Neutering is performed on male rabbits to remove the testes. The veterinarian will make an incision in the scrotum and remove the testicles through it. Up to three weeks after the surgery a male rabbit can still have semen stored in his body. For this reason a recently altered male should be kept away from unaltered female rabbits during this time period.

In order to provide a safe spay/neuter experience for your rabbit you need to find an experienced veterinarian. When looking for a veterinarian, be sure to ask if he/she has had experience working with rabbits. If there is a local rabbit shelter in your area, they may be able to recommend a vet to you.

If you have adopted your rabbit from shelter or rescue, the rabbit may already be altered. Be sure to ask. Talk to your qualified vet about what to do to prepare your rabbit for surgery and how to provide care post-surgery. Also ask your veterinarian to explain the procedure thoroughly as it may ease your own anxieties to know what will happen.

Be sure to monitor your rabbit after the procedure for changes in behavior, failure to eat, pulling at stitches or signs of infection.

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Step by Step Reef Aquarium Setup

If you've ever dreamed of having a spectacular reef aquarium in your home, but think you lack the time, funds, or knowledge required, think again! Creating a beautiful reef ecosystem does not have to be complicated. The following five easy steps will help simplify the process. In a period of just 12 weeks, you too can enjoy the colorful beauty of a home reef aquarium for many years.

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The Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat

All cats and kittens should be either spayed or neutered unless the owner is in the business of raising purebred cats. The days of letting the family cat have a litter of kittens so that kids could observe the miracle of birth are long gone. Animal rescue groups have done an excellent job communicating the tragedy of homeless pets. Most people now realize that stray and feral cat overpopulation is an enormous problem.

According to 2008 stats from the Humane Society, there are approximately 88 million owned pet cats in the United States (more than dogs!). Nearly one third of all US households own a cat and on average most of those homes have two cats. Eighty seven percent of the pet cats in the U.S. are spayed or neutered. It's a very common procedure and there are many benefits.

What Is Spaying And Neutering?
Sterilizing a cat is known as neutering for males and spaying for females. Neutering a male cat is a fairly simple procedure performed by a professional veterinarian. The cat is placed under general anesthesia, and the testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum. The incision is very small and stitches are usually not even necessary.

Spaying a female cat is a more involved and invasive procedure, and as such is often more expensive. The ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed after the cat is immobilized with general anesthesia. The operation is known as an ovario-hysterectomy. The abdominal area is shaved and the surgical wound usually only requires a few stitches.

Kittens should be spayed or neutered when they reach sexual maturity, which is usually between four and six months of age. However a cat can be safely spayed or neutered at any age, so even older adopted cats should have this procedure.

Some rescue organizations participate in a "catch and release" program where homeless cats are captured, neutered or spayed and released. This is considered more humane than euthanizing strays. The catch and release program is sometimes known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and the cats that are sterilized have part of one ear clipped. If you adopt a cat with a clipped ear, he or she has almost certainly been already spayed or neutered as a result of this effort.

Why Spay Or Neuter Your Cat?
There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your cat, and they extend to your pet, your family, your home and society in general.

Stray and feral cat overpopulation is a massive problem. The life of a homeless cat can be miserable and harsh. Feral cats also contribute to the destruction of other indigenous wildlife, especially birds.

Un-spayed female cats may be restless and noisy and exhibit other behavior problems.

Males who are not neutered (also known as Tom Cats) have many behavior problems, including a tendency to roam if allowed outside and a habit of spraying strong smelling urine inside the house to mark their territory.

Spayed and neutered cats generally have fewer health problems and a longer life expectancy.
Is there a downside to sterilizing your pet cat? Not really. Sometimes neutered males require slightly less food after the procedure so they don't gain weight. But most cats are healthier, happier and calmer if they've been spayed or neutered.

Fast Facts On Cat Sterilization
Most animal shelters and rescue groups require cats to be spayed or neutered before they will allow them to be adopted. The new owner should anticipate picking up the cost for this procedure.

The cost of spaying or neutering varies widely depending on the U.S. location, but will range from a low of $50 through a pet shelter to a high of $200 for a private veterinarian in a large urban area.

In most cases your cat will be able to come home the same day, especially if they are scheduled to be spayed or neutered in the morning.

For nervous cat owners who worry excessively about their beloved kitty, most vets are happy to call you after the procedure is over to let you know how your pet is doing.

Millions of beautiful cats and kittens are exterminated each year by animal shelters who can't find enough homes for them. The famous artist Leonardo da Vinci once said "even the smallest feline is a masterpiece." Cat owners can help make sure that each precious fur covered work of art has a happy home. The best way to accomplish this goal is through responsible spaying and neutering. FOLLOW US!

A Starving Dog Found Inside a Zipped Suitcase Outside a Bronx Apartment Building is Showing Signs of Recovery

A 3-year-old pit bull mix, named Fraggle, was so badly malnourished and in poor health that doctors had to administer life-saving medical treatment. He was found inside a zipped suitcase outside the Melrose Housing Development at 700 Morris Ave., a Bronx apartment building on January 22, 2015.

A month later, Fraggle has started to eat on his own, and walk small distances without help, according to the ASPCA.

It's a miraculous recovery given that he was perilously close to death when he was found, according to ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group Senior Director Howard Lawrence.

Fraggle will continue to recover at the ASPCA Hospital. A reward of $22,000 is being offered by both the ASPCA, and the NYPD for information leading an arrest/conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS

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