More than 600 Animals Were Rescued from a North Carolina Shelter This Week: Among the Largest Rescues in its History

More than 600 animals were rescued from a North Carolina shelter this week in what one national anti-animal cruelty group said was among the largest rescues in its history.

National and local animal advocates teamed up with local police to recover hundreds of animals, including dogs, cats, horses and pigs from the Haven, a private, no-kill shelter in Raeford, N.C.

“These animals were betrayed by the promise of going to a place that is a safe haven for animals, and it is anything but that,” Tim Rickey, senior vice president of field investigations and response for ASPCA, said in a video posted by the group. “We’re finding lethargic and lifeless dogs throughout the property and the same thing with cats.”

In a statement posted Wednesday, the day of the rescue, Rickey called the operation one of the largest companion-animal rescues in ASPCA’s 150-year history. At the time, the group said it recovered more than 270 dogs, 250 cats, 40 horses and several pigs from the 122-acre property. That number has since risen: The group now says it rescued at least 600 animals.

The largest companion-animal rescue in ASPCA’s history came in 2012, when it recovered more than 700 cats in Florida, according to the Associated Press.

The shelter’s owners, Stephen Joseph Spear and Linden Spear, were arrested and charged with several counts of cruelty to animals and possession of controlled substances, the Hoke County Sheriff’s office said in a Wednesday statement.

“We’ve seen open wounds on animals, we’ve seen no water for the animals, we are seeing animals that seem to be malnourished,” Cpt. John Kivett, of the Hoke County Sheriff’s office, told a local news station.

Animals were kept in “filthy kennels, cages, outdoor pens and paddocks, many without protection from the elements,” the Asheville Humane Society, which assisted in the rescue, said in a Facebook post. Many had untreated medical issues, including “open wounds, severe upper respiratory disease and emaciation.”

The shelter faced public scrutiny for years, with local animal advocates even launching a Facebook page to document their concerns.

A September inspection by the state Agriculture Department found several problems, including inadequate water and medical care, the Associated Press reported on Friday. ASPCA became involved at the request of the sheriff’s office and the Agriculture Department, the group said.

Several hundred animals are already being housed at two 40,000-square-foot warehouses run by ASPCA, according to AP. There, they are receiving care from roughly 140 veterinarians, staffers and volunteers.

Despite the raid, the Spears still have some defenders. Nancy Moore, at whose home the Spears are staying, told the AP that the shelter always seemed well-managed.

“I think they have provided a tremendous service in terms of the community, and certainly for animals. I would say they have dedicated their lives to basically taking care of them,” Moore said.

And one volunteer told local TV station WNCN that she was shocked by the news and felt the shelter provided adequate care.

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Fairfax County, Virginia: Animal Control Warning Residents About a Possibly Rabid Fox That Bit a Woman

McLean, Virginia - Animal control officers in Fairfax County are warning residents about a possibly rabid fox that bit a woman Tuesday afternoon in McLean.

According to police, the fox bit and scratched the woman outside her home in the 1400 block of Laburnum Street. Animal control officers could not find the fox when they responded to the woman's home.

The fox is described as a red fox with bloody paws and nose. Police say the fox was last seen on Copely Lane.

Animal control is asking anyone that sees the fox (or any animals with symptoms that could indicate rabies) to call animal control at 703-691-2131.

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A Man in South Suburban Lansing Kept a 200 Pound Alligator at His House for Over Two Decades

A man in south suburban Lansing kept an alligator at his house for over two decades without neighbors knowing, according to authorities.

The 6-foot-long alligator spent most of its 26 years in a cage of the basement of Charles Price’s house, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Chris Young.

However, Price "put it out periodically in his back yard. No one knew he had it, no one had ever seen it,” IDNR Sgt. Bill Shannon told The Chicago Tribune Saturday.

The animal was noticed earlier this month by an appliance repairman who had been working in Price's basement, Young said. The worker noticed something moving in a covered container, so he lifted the cover, took photos of the reptile and contacted Lansing Police Department's animal control.

Shannon got word of the alligator and contacted conservation police Officer Roberto Macias and an alligator specialist known as "Bob."

"It was every bit of 200 pounds," Shannon told the Tribune.

Lansing police Chief Dennis Murrin Jr. also told the publication: "In 25 years, I've never had anything like it.”

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The Recent Death of a Beloved Turtle Has Caused the Entire Country of Vietnam to Mourn

According to the New York Times, media outlets in Vietnam are reporting that the giant turtle known as Cu Rua, which translates to Great Grandfather despite being female, has died.

The event happened about a week ago, and while it is unknown exactly how old the animal was, the cause is believed to be natural.

The death is particularly meaningful to the Vietnamese who believe she was the incarnation of a sacred figure from the 15th century.

The spiritual connection is significant, with one local noting, "People say the turtle's death is bad luck, and a way for the gods to show that something's about to happen."

Cu Rua was also only one of four known members of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles species to still be alive on Earth.

The dwindling number of survivors is a concern for conservationists who have tried—but thus far failed—to propagate the species in order to prevent extinction.

The animal's remains will be embalmed and eventually displayed.

Vietnam Mourns Death Of Sacred And Rare Giant... by GeoBeats

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Meet Dr. Evan Antin, the Handsome Veterinarian, Who is Melting Hearts All Over the Internet

The bond that humans and animals share is one of the most unique, most precious ties that exists.

And while most of us who have pets realize the importance of this, there are those who go a step further in life and make it their passion — and mission — to help as many animals as they can.

I’m talking, of course, about all the heroic veterinary doctors out there! In addition to saving lives, they see the intrinsic value in each and every pet, or even wild animal, that they meet — like this doctor, who performs miracles on pets who were once paralyzed.

And then there are others, like Dr. Evan Antin, who dedicate their lives to understanding the rarest, most endangered, and exotic species.

Dr. Evan has in fact been making rounds lately on the Internet for a very curious reason — but when you read his story, you won’t be surprised to see why.

Meet Evan Antin: California-based veterinary doctor, exotic animal veterinarian, and all-around animal expert.

He has recently been making rounds on the Internet, after being named People magazine’s “Sexiest Beast Charmer” last year.

Other than being devilishly handsome, the 31-year-old vet has an impressive résumé.

He previously spent several years traveling between six continents to treat animals, and received his doctorate from the Colorado State University in veterinary sciences, before settling down at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital in Thousand Oaks, CA, to practice exotic medicine.

To his curious newfound fame, he tells WABC, “I thought it was pretty funny. I’ve always strived to be the sexiest something, and so I’m glad it could be [as] a vet.”

“I’ve gotten a little bit of teasing from my colleagues, a lot of attention locally, and a few more patients than normal since the magazine came out,” he told Source, a blog at Colorado State University.

  

Helping save animals means everything to Dr. Evan.

He loves snakes in particular, even though he used to stay away from them as a child.

“They’ve always fascinated me,” he told BuzzFeed. “And a big part of that is the fact that they’re basically living dinosaurs.”

To him, there’s nothing more sacred than the bond between animals and human beings, calling it “one of the most special things on the planet.”

Ever since he was young, he was always on the lookout for new, exciting, and exotic species.

According to his page on the veterinary hospital’s site, “he grew up spending the majority of his childhood in search of native wildlife including snakes, turtles, and insects.”

  

Dr. Evan currently lives with his dog, Henry, his cat, Willy, his savannah monitor lizard, Matilda, and several tropical fish, and he is happily engaged to his girlfriend.

In his spare time, he loves to lift weights, hike, and snowboard. He also does some modeling on the side. No surprise there!

But his truest passion in life is interacting with exotic animals in their natural habitats.

He has had extensive experience researching and interacting with animals in Central America, Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America.

His knowledge of varied ecosystems and fauna is what makes him a top expert in his field.

His day-to-day responsibilities include caring for both small, delicate animals and larger, more dangerous species.

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Veteran with PTSD Reunited with Military Bomb-Sniffing Dog Partner

Lance Cpl. David Pond and his military working dog, Pablo, were split up when Pond's service ended in 2011. The Marine went home to Colorado, and the dog moved on to stateside assignments.

This was tough on the military veteran who spent seven months in Afghanistan with his military bomb-sniffing dog partner searching for and finding bombs that could take out a platoon.

During that time together, Pond and Pablo survived a number of combat patrols and over 30 firefights.

But now, they were separated and the Marine didn't know if he would ever be reunited with his military dog.

"He was my rock, my foundation," Pond, 27, said of the Belgian Malinois who became his best friend and protector. "He saved my life more than once."

Veteran Faces New Battle at Home

After Lance Cpl. David Pond returned to the U.S., not only did he have to deal with being separated from his military dog, but he was also taking on a new battle.

The Marine veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and also dealing with a traumatic brain injury. It was at this time that Pond made up his mind. He was going to find and reunite with Pablo.

Unlike many veterans who return home and do not get a second chance to be with the military working dog they served with overseas, Pond's story does have a happy ending.

But it wasn't an easy journey. It took four years to reunite with his military dog. The Marine veteran wrote countless letters to politicians, started an online petition and had to cut through a lot of red tape.

In the end, it was well worth it as Lance Cpl. David Pond and Pablo now spend the days together in a much more peaceful manner than they did in Afghanistan.

To learn more about the Marine veteran with PTSD reuniting with his military dog, watch the NBC News video below:

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General Mills Has Welcomed a New Member to its Family:Trix Bunny Replaced with Real Rabbit

There is a new silly rabbit hopping on the box of Trix Cereal.

Meet Cinnabun,  a Holland lop rabbit, was named the new honorary Trix Rabbit on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Houston.  And now, Cinnabon will be featured on commemorative boxes of Trix cereal to celebrate that the cereal no longer contains artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources.

So the original rabbit hasn't disappeared, but the truly nostalgic will likely remain sad that the real Trix of their childhood, with clunky attempts to replicate fruit shapes, was replaced by boring old spheres in 2006. Cinnabun's owner, Natalie Tran, is excited to have such a suddenly illustrious pet, saying, "It's kind of unbelievable that they picked him out of thousands of bunnies".

"I'm obviously biased, but I always knew Cinnabun was an especially playful, cute and lovable bunny", said Tran.

He'll be featured on limited-edition Trix cereal boxes.

The move coincides with the company's plan to eliminate artificial flavors and colors from its cereals, a goal which 75 percent of its cereals have already met. Having a real rabbit mascot reinforces the idea of an authentically made cereal.

This little furball is hopping for joy!

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Saudi Arabia: Two Giant Monitor Lizards Were Filmed Fiercely Battling in the Middle of a Dusty Road

Two monitor lizards were filmed fiercely battling in the middle of a dusty road.

The animals were spotted grappling with each other for nearly three minutes as huge buses, tuk tuks and motorbikes passed just metres away.

A clip shows the lizards, which are known for fighting over food or females, on their hind legs as they compete for victory.

They can be seen thrashing each other with their long tales and even pushing each other to the ground during the three-minute war.

At one point, one of the animals appears to have the upper hand and forces the other into the dust as a bus roars by.

The fight eventually comes to a pause as one manages to scamper away.

But - with the other hot on its heels - the fight continues in the sandy verge and the clip ends with lizards still clutching each other.

The footage, which is believed to be from Saudi Arabia, has been viewed nearly 5,000 times having been uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday.

Monitor lizards are known for their long necks and powerful tails and claws. 

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