Prince George’s County, Maryland - Prince George's County Animal Shelter: We Could Sure Use More Washable Stuffed Animals for Our Four-Legged Friends Here

We could sure use more washable stuffed animals (not beany-baby type) for our four-legged friends here. Gather them up from your grown kids' room and donate them. The animals here cuddle and love them, or they tear them up and we clean up after them. It's a chance we love to take.

 We also need your empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls. . . just place an extra bag under your bathroom cabinet and save them for us instead of throwing or recycling them. We have a great idea for their use!

Oh, and one more thing . . . plain yogurt -- any brand! Thank you to our generous community for helping out whenever you can.

3750 Brown Station Road

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

(301) 780-7200

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UPDATE - WHS/WARL: Stolen Kitten, Princess Jazzy Returned, Thanks to the Swift Actions of the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. –.  Three days after her disappearance from the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League (WHS/WARL) New York Avenue Adoption Center, three-month old kitten Princess Jazzy is safely in the caring hands of WHS/WARL staff.

“We are thrilled that Princess Jazzy is back with us safely thanks to the swift actions of the Metropolitan Police Department and alert WHS/WARL staff,” said Lisa LaFontaine, WHS/WARL President & CEO.   “This case is another example of how we will do everything possible to protect the animals in our community, regardless of their size, species or age.   We are especially relieved because Princess Jazzy was under medical treatment prior to the theft and she will now continue to get the care she needs as she awaits adoption into a responsible and loving home.”

WHS/WARL staff members on duty Saturday were able to record a license plate number from a vehicle leaving the Adoption Center shortly after the kitten was reported missing.  The Metropolitan Police Department tracked down Princess Jazzy with the license plate information and returned the kitten to the New York Avenue Adoption Center.

The incident remains under investigation.

About Washington Animal Rescue League/Washington Humane Society (WARL/WHS)

The Washington Humane Society -Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. The merger of the two organizations created the first end-to-end animal care organization in a major U.S. city.  The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care & control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others.  Operating four animal-care facilities in Washington, D.C., the organization occupies a significant footprint in the District, and serves as a resource to current pet guardians and prospective adopters across the region.  Together, the organizations offer one, dynamic, industry-leading animal welfare organization in the Nation’s Capital; creating a unified vision for a model urban community for all animals – pets and wildlife alike – and the people who love them.

To read the initial story, click here: Washington, DC - $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Person(s) Responsible for the Theft of a 3-Month-Old Kitten from a Local Animal Shelter (WHS/WARL)

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Washington, DC - $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Person(s) Responsible for the Theft of a 3-Month-Old Kitten from a Local Animal Shelter (WHS/WARL)

Washington, DC - A three-month old female, brown tabby kitten named Princess Jazzy was stolen from the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League (WHS/WARL) Adoption Center on New York Ave in NE Saturday afternoon. WHS/WARL is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft.

“It is hard to believe that someone would commit such a crime,” states Scott Giacoppo, Chief Community Welfare Officer for WHS/WARL.  “In addition to breaking the law, they have put this kitten’s health in jeopardy by circumventing our easy adoption process, and denying the kitten needed medical care.”

WHS/WARL is now appealing to the public to help get Princess Jazzy back to the Adoption Center so that she can receive all the medical procedures that go into the adoption process and to ensure that the family that takes her fully understands her needs. Anyone with information is urged to call 1- 202-576-6664.

About Washington Animal Rescue League/Washington Humane Society (WARL/WHS)

The Washington Humane Society - Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. The merger of the two organizations created the first end-to-end animal care organization in a major U.S. city.  The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care & control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others.  Operating four animal-care facilities in Washington, D.C., the organization occupies a significant footprint in the District, and serves as a resource to current pet guardians and prospective adopters across the region.  Together, the organizations offer one, dynamic, industry-leading animal welfare organization in the Nation’s Capital; creating a unified vision for a model urban community for all animals – pets and wildlife alike – and the people who love them.

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Humane Society of Wicomico County Need Your Help: Donations Needed for the 300 Dogs Rescued from Puppy Mill

Wicomico County, Maryland - After rescuing more than 300 dogs from a property in Eden, the Humane Society of Wicomico County is asking for donations to help care for the dogs. The Humane Society is asking for donations to help lessen the burden for the care of the newly rescued pups. The current needs for the Humane Society of Wicomico County are the following items:

Wet/Canned Dog Food  (NO DRY BAGGED DOG FOOD)

Dog/Puppy Treats

Fabuloso Cleaner (Purple)

Gallons of Bleach 

Chlorox Cleaner

Spray Bleach  

Paper Towels 

Liquid Dishwashing Soap  

Liquid Laundry Detergent 

 Puppy Pads for lining kennels (NO NEWSPAPERS)  

These items can be dropped off at the following locations and times:

Humane Society of Wicomico County 5130 Citation Drive Salisbury, MD 21804. At the front doors from Monday to Saturday 11 am to 4 pm.

Wicomico County Government Office Building 125 N. Division Street, Salisbury, MD 21801. First Floor Foyer - Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

Wicomico County Civic Center 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21801. Box Office Entrance Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

Wicomico County Solid Waste 6948 Brick Kiln Road Salisbury, MD 21801. At the scale house Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

Monetary donations are also welcome, and appreciated. Those can be placed through the Humane Society's webpage using the Pay Pal link. Officials are asking that those looking to donate use that link, as this ensures the funds go directly to the Humane Society of Wicomico County. The money raised will reportedly be used for the overwhelming expenses of medications, grooming, and other care for the animals.

The Humane Society says they will be updating their website, as the animals become available for adoption. They are asking that those who are interested, be patient, and not call the shelter at this time.

Update:

Humane Society of Wicomico County:

Thank you for your overwhelming support to help our animals. At this time we kindly ask that you check our website for our needs. We no longer need dry/bagged dog food. We can use wet/canned food. Please no more newspapers but only puppy pads. Cleaning supplies are the most urgent need with bleach, paper towels, liquid dish detergent and liquid laundry detergent. Hand sanitizer can always be used also.

  

Humane Society of Wicomico County Website

You may be interested in reading:  300 Dogs Discovered in Cramped and Deplorable Conditions During a Routine Kennel Check by County Officials

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Inky the Octopus Slipped Through a Gap at the Top of His Enclosure: Escapes Down Pipe to Ocean

By the time the staff at New Zealand’s National Aquarium noticed that he was missing, telltale suction cup prints were the main clue to an easily-solved mystery.

Inky had said see ya to his tank-mate, slipped through a gap left by maintenance workers at the top of his enclosure and, as evidenced by the tracks, made his way across the floor to a six-inch-wide drain. He squeezed his football-sized body in — octopuses are very malleable, aquarium manager Rob Yarrall told the New Zealand website Stuff — and made a break for the Pacific.

“He managed to make his way to one of the drain holes that go back to the ocean. And off he went,” Yarrall told Radio New Zealand. “And he didn’t even leave us a message.”

The cephalopod version of “Shawshank Redemption” took place three months ago, but it only became public Tuesday. Inky, who already had some local renown in the coastal city of Napier, quickly became a global celebrity cheered on by strangers.

Inky had resided at the aquarium since 2014, when he was taken in after being caught in a crayfish pot, his body scarred and his arms injured. The octopus’s name was chosen from nominations submitted to a contest run by the Napier City Council.

Kerry Hewitt, the aquarium’s curator of exhibits, said at the time that Inky was “getting used to being at the aquarium” but added that staff would “have to keep Inky amused or he will get bored.”

Guess that happened.

This isn’t the first time a captive octopus decided to take matters into its own hands — er, tentacles. In 2009, after a two-spotted octopus at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium in California took apart a water recycling valve, directed a tube to shoot water out of the tank for 10 hours and caused a massive flood, Scientific American asked octopus expert Jennifer Mather about the animals’ intelligence and previous such hijinks at aquariums.

“They are very strong, and it is practically impossible to keep an octopus in a tank unless you are very lucky. … Octopuses simply take things apart,” Mather said. “I recall reading about someone who had built a robot submarine to putter around in a large aquarium tank. The octopus got a hold of it and took it apart piece by piece. There’s a famous story from the Brighton Aquarium in England 100 years ago that an octopus there got out of its tank at night when no one was watching, went to the tank next door and ate one of the lumpfish and went back to his own tank and was sitting there the next morning.”

Yarrall said the aquarium has no plans to replace Inky, but it does intend to better secure the tank where now just one octopus remains.

“They are always exploring and they are great escape artists,” Yarrall said, according to Hawke’s Bay Today. “We’ll be watching the other one.”

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Meet Kora, the 120 Pound Great Dane that Had to Be Rescued from 20 Feet Up in a Tree

When the Plattsmouth Fire Department got a call Saturday night that a 120-pound Great Dane was stuck 20-feet up in a tree, the department didn't believe it.

"We kind of looked at each other ... they can't be serious," said Jon Hardy, a lieutenant with the department.

The department was covering calls for Louisville, Neb., that night because the area's emergency teams were attending a recognition dinner. Members of Elmwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Cass County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.

And, sure enough, a big dog up a tree is what they found.

No one saw how Kora, the Great Dane who is a quarter Mastiff, got up the tree, but there's suspicion she was chasing a raccoon. After her owner got home from dinner, she couldn't find the dog. Sounds of whimpering led her to a tree in her backyard, where she spotted her stranded pup. A friend of the owner climbed the tree to comfort the dog until the fire and rescue teams arrived.

First, the 15 responders tried to help Kora down the same way she got up with the assistance of a chest harness and a ladder. Kora wasn't having it.

Next, someone attached a leash to the harness. Then, rescuers stretched out a tarp as a safety net. They nudged the dog off of the branch.

"She never hit the ground," Hardy said. "It worked like we hoped."

The dog ran into her house like nothing happened, he said. It's a rescue he will never forget.

"I’ve been doing this 12 years and this is first dog we got out of a tree," Hardy said.

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Today is National Pet Day: What Plans Do You Have for Your Pet(s)?

Pet Day is a chance for those of us who own pets to show them how much we love them. Now, we all can think of the traditional things: a new toy, some tasty treats, or a long walk in the park, maybe a game of fetch, assuming you have a dog! But, think outside the box and come up with some ideas to celebrate your relationship with your pet. Once you have indulged your own animals with their favorite treats, why not consider donating to a shelter or other animal welfare organization?

There are so many neglected and unwanted animals waiting for some love and attention. You can donate your time, or you can donate food or other supplies. Every little bit helps. If you don’t already own a pet, what better time to adopt one? A good phrase to keep in mind is “adopt, don’t shop.”

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Granddaughter Shares Photos of Her 90-year-old Grandfather and His Brand New Fluffy Friend, Penny on Twitter: Brings Users to Tears

Three weeks after viral photos of 'sad pawpaw' being 'neglected' by his grandkids broke the web's heart, a different senior is getting the exact opposite reaction out of internet users.

Twitter user Jessica Amante shared photos of her 90-year-old grandfather and his brand new fluffy friend, Penny, on March 6, Mashable reported Sunday. Her mom also posted images on Facebook.

And over the past month the pics showing the adorable couple have gone viral, literally bringing tears to the eyes of web users around the world.

Amante's grandfather is in an assisted living facility, and had pictures of his new dog sent to her at the start of the month.

“My grandfather just got a new dog and had his caregiver take pictures of him to send to me,” she Tweeted, along with three crying emojis.

And those thoughts were echoed by the thousands - 81,374 at last count - of web users who 'liked' the Tweet and the 40,771 who shared it.

Twitter user @phunkfina was one of many who responded positively to the idyllic scenes of the grandfather walking his new pal, writing “Why is this one of the most heartwarming things ever?”

But a large number of the users were even more moved than that, with several saying that they had been moved to tears.

'OMG,' gasped @lgbtleeds, saying that the grandpa bore an uncanny resemblance to 'the cute little old guy' from the Pixar movie 'Up.' “I'm crying this is too cute,” she wrote.

And @jewishuncle wrote “That's so adorable I'm gonna get emotional.”

“It makes me so happy I'm teary,” echoed @explicitstiles.

But some fans of the sweet story went even further.

Those crying emojis in Amante's original post proved prophetic for @nAAAYEomi, @kissingjohnson and @valerieamazing.

They were among the users so touched by the story that they couldn't even put it into words.

Instead, they simply send selfies showing their tearful faces, with long lines of mascara running down each cheek.

Pawpaw and paw-paw-paw-paw: Images of the 90-year-old man and his new dog, Penny, went viral after they were posted on Twitter this month by his granddaughter, Jessica Amante.

New dog, old tricks: The sweet photos brought tears to the eyes of many Twitter users. He has been likened to 'saw Pawpaw,' the elderly man whose grandkids 'abandoned' him after he made them burgers this month.

Sweet Tweet: The crying emojis in Jessica's Tweet were prophetic, as many who saw the adorable pictures were moved to tears.

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Happy Easter from The Pet Tree House

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Fairfax County, VA - Police Received Two Reports of Black Bear Sightings in the Vienna/Oakton Area

Fairfax County, Virginia - Police received two reports of black bear sightings in the Vienna/Oakton area between Wednesday and Thursday morning, the Fairfax County Police Department said. This follows an earlier sighting of a black bear and a cub in Vienna on Sunday, March 20. 

According to police, a black bear and a cub (possibly a yearling) were spotted in the 2700 block of Bowling Green Dr., Vienna Thursday morning. Police say a residence in the area reported the spotting. In a press release sent out Thursday police said, "The bears were reported to have taken down a bird-feeder and plastic cabinet on the resident's patio. The bears also took a bag of birdseed from the cabinet before heading into the wooded easement along Interstate-66."

On Wednesday morning police also received reports of two small black bears seen crossing Oakton Road. Police say the bears were spotted near Waples Mill Meadow, Difficult Run Stream Valley Park and Tattersall Park.

Police said in the release, "Bears typically avoid humans, but in their search for food it is not uncommon to see one. Residents should not panic or feel alarmed when they see one. Bears are attracted by bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and berry-producing shrubs. If addressed quickly, situations can be resolved almost immediately by removing the food source. Sometimes, the bear may return searching for food, but after a few failed attempts to find it, will leave the property. Most often, bears will keep moving through an area once they fail in their attempts to find food."

The Fairfax County Wildlife management Specialist and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries give the following suggestions as precautions if encountered by a black bear:

• Keep a respectful distance! In most cases, the bear will move on quickly.

• If a bear is up a tree on or near your property, give it space. Do not approach, and bring your pets inside to provide the bear a clear path to leave your property.

• If you see a very small cub, do not try to remove it from the area or "save it."

• The best way to encourage the bear not to return is to remove food sources.

• Do not store household trash, or anything that smells like food, in vehicles, on porches or decks.

• Keep your full or empty trash containers secured in a garage, shed or basement.

• Take your garbage to the dump frequently.

• If you have a trash collection service, put your trash out the morning of the pickup, not the night before.

• Take down your birdfeeder for 3-4 weeks after the bear visits.

• Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions.

• Unless the animal is sick or injured, or poses a threat to public safety, Animal Control Officers do not take actions to attempt to remove bears from a neighborhood.

Police say bear sightings should be reported to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003.

For more information on bear sightings and how to respond safely click HERE. 

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Heartbreaking Photo of a Stray Dog Hugging a Teddy Bear Has Gone Viral: Triggering a Bit of Controversy

Houston, Texas - This heartbreaking of a stray dog hugging a teddy bear on socialmedia -- and triggered a bit of controversy.

This is the picture. A sadder-than-sad stray dog who has found a tiny bit of comfort...by snuggling up to a forsaken teddy bear.

The picture was taken by a Houston woman named Yvette Holzbach with the group 'Forgotten Dogs of The Fifth Ward'.

When she posted it on her Facebook page, there was criticism.

Why didn't you rescue the dog?"

This is her explanation: "We can feed up to 50 stray dogs [daily]. Of those 50 dogs we are lucky if we are able to save one because...there are not enough foster homes."

"[To] understand what we are faced with we welcome you to do a ride along with us. You will be astounded at how many homeless dogs there are."

That is as true in Southern California - as it is in Houston.

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First Responders Called to a Sushi Restaurant After a Man Allegedly Threw a Giant Python on the Floor and Walked Out

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, L.A. first responders say they were called to a sushi restaurant on Sunday after a man allegedly threw a giant python on the floor and walked out.

“Probably one of the weirdest calls that I’ve ever heard us respond to,” LAPD Lt. John Gavin told Fox 11.

Police say the man had already showed up at the restaurant with a smaller snake earlier that night. When he started arguing with another diner, he was asked to leave.

So the man did – but then he came back, this time with a 13-foot python.

“Customers are yelling, ‘Get this thing out! Are you crazy,’” Jessie Davaadorj, a server, told KCAL 9.

Lt. Gavin said the suspect, who was later arrested, didn’t deny his involvement.

He said that “he was mad, and that he felt that was the only way he could get even,” said the lieutenant.

Thankfully, the fire department and animal control were able to safely corner the snake into a box.

Police say the man, who is homeless, has been charged with criminal threats from “using the snake as a weapon and threatening the patrons.”

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Former Ravens Defensive Tackle Terrence Cody: Sentenced to Nine Months in County Jail, After He Was Convicted on Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty Charges

Former Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody was sentenced to nine months in county jail, after he was convicted on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

According to Alison Knezevich of the Baltimore Sun, Cody faced more than two years in jail. He was convicted in November of two misdemeanor drug charges and multiple misdemanors regarding the death of his dog Taz.

Prosecutors said the dog was starved to death. He was also convicted of illegally possessing an alligator (of course).

The Ravens drafted Cody in the second round in 2010. He only played one game in 2014, and was released last February.

You may be interested in reading:

Ravens Defensive Tackle Terrence Cody Being Investigated For Animal Cruelty

Ravens Will Cut DT Cody Amid Animal Cruelty Investigation

Terrence Cody Indicted On Animal Cruelty Charges 

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Cat Parasite Linked to Mental Illness, Schizophrenia

Everyone loves cuddling with kittens. But there can be a little-known danger lurking behind that furry little face and that innocent-sounding meow: a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii).

T. gondii is the most common parasite in developed nations, according to Schizophrenia Bulletin. The cat-carried parasite can infect any warm-blooded species, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 60 million people in the U.S. may have it.

Most people never suffer any symptoms at all. But in those with weaker immune systems, infection with T. gondii can cause an illness called toxoplasmosis, which can result in miscarriages, fetal development disorders, weeks of flu-like illness, blindness and even death. It has also been associated with mental disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Now two more studies explore the mental health issues in greater detail.

E. Fuller Torrey of the Stanley Medical Research Institute and Dr. Robert H. Yolken of Stanley Laboratory of Developmental Neurovirology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have been studying the link between infection with T. gondii and schizophrenia for close to three decades.

Their most recent study, published in Schizophrenia Research, along with researcher Wendy Simmons, compared two previous studies that found a link between childhood cat ownership and the development of schizophrenia later in life with an unpublished survey on mental health from 1982, 10 years before any data on cat ownership and mental illness had been published. Results of the analysis indicated that cat exposure in childhood may be a risk factor for developing mental disorders.

To read more on this story, click here: Cat Parasite Linked to Mental Illness, Schizophrenia

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