Baltimore, Maryland - The Maryland Zoo is trying to “catch ’em all.” Not Pokémon, but Pokémon GO players. Between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, the zoo will have “lures” activated within the park to attract the digital monsters, and the real-life people who are hunting them. Pokémon GO is a new augmented reality phone app that uses GPS to guide users to real-world landmarks for the purpose of collecting the digital cartoon creatures. It’s been downloaded by millions of people, causing Nintendo’s stock to soar. At “Pokéstops,” players can collect gear to help them catch new monsters and heal injured ones, and they can fight their Pokémon at “gyms” to advance in the game. The zoo says there are 26 Pokéstops and two gyms within its gates, and is encouraging Pokémon chasers who visit to share the fun by tagging Pokémon screenshots on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #marylandzoo or @marylandzoo. Adult admission to the zoo is $18.
"They told me I better not get in my car," said car owner Katie Hauer Two men pulled an 8-foot-long boa constrictor from beneath a car parked outside of a northeastern Pennsylvania medical building. The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre reports the men pried the snake from a Mercury Mountaineer's undercarriage Thursday afternoon after one saw it wriggle underneath. One of the men, herpetologist Cameron English, identified the snake as a red-tailed boa constrictor. "They told me I better not get in my car," said owner Katie Hauer, who had been inside the Geisinger Kingston medical center in Kingston borough. Hauer said she was told she may have transported the snake from where she lives to the medical building. "I'm going to be checking under my car and around my car every single day now," Hauer said. Rescuers said the snake appeared to be a well-fed pet. It was placed in a plastic container. No one was injured and it wasn't immediately known who owns the snake.
Washington, DC - Families of ducks living in the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. are being put in harm’s way due to people feeding the ducks and ducklings. The Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League is encouraging people frequenting the Capitol Reflecting Pool to stop feeding the ducks, as the ducklings are becoming separated from their mother and are unable to return to water. The ducks are also being fed a dangerous diet of bread and crackers. “This is a potentially dangerous situation that could be avoided,” said Lisa LaFontaine, WHS-WARL President and CEO. “While we understand the public’s fascination with these ducklings, feeding them causes the ducklings to leave the water in an area in which they cannot return to the pool without assistance. In addition, the public is feeding the ducks bread, which is harmful to their digestive systems. We call on all members of the public to refrain from feeding waterfowl for both of these important reasons.” The families of ducks call the Capitol Reflecting Pool home. With thousands of visitors to the Capitol Reflecting Pool daily, people are tempted to lure the ducklings closer with food, so that they can get a better view of these charming birds. However as the ducklings move closer to the edge of the pool to find the food, they inadvertently step off of the pool and over the retaining wall. At that point, they may not find their way back into the pool without assistance. Feeding the ducks bread is another dangerous issue. Ducks that are fed bread can develop health issues, including “Angel Wing,” a condition that causes their wings to twist outward and prevents them from flying. Ducks that cannot fly cannot escape predators and are often hit by automobiles and other vehicles. City Wildlife, an organization based in Washington, DC, works with Architect of the Capitol and, along with WHS-WARL, monitors the ducks and ducklings and returns them to the water each day.
About (WHS-WARL) The Washington Humane Society -Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. 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.
On Mothers Day, eight little puppies were born at our Oglethorpe Adoption Center. They have since been subject to endless hours of selfies, cuddle sessions, and Shark Week fun. Our staff has not only dedicated their days to taking care of them, but have fallen in love with each and every one -- even when they've rolled in each other's poop. As they become available for adoption over the next two days, our animal care givers, behavior and training staff, and volunteers who socialized them deserve a huge pat on the back. Taking care of puppies is hard work, and these guys have great lives because of you. Thank you!
Have you heard about the ‘Clear the Shelters’ Adoption events happening all over the country on July 23rd? You may have seen the commercials on television about clearing the shelters. ‘Clear the Shelters’ is a nationwide adoption event. Animal shelters across the country will come together July 23 for Clear the Shelters, a nationwide pet adoption initiative that aims to connect animals in need with loving new families. If you are considering adding a furry family member, please contact your local animal shelter(s) to get more information on their event. Most people want puppies, and often overlook senior pets. Did you know that there are many benefits of adopting a senior pet? Please read my post: There Are Many Benefits to Adopting a Senior Pet from a Shelter or Rescue Organization: Gratitude and Loyalty of the Animal for the Remaining Years of its Life, Are Two of Them
Please consider adopting a senior pet.
If you live in the Washington DC Metro Area: I will be covering the ‘Clear the Shelter’ event for the Washington Humane Society/Washington Animal Rescue League on Saturday, July 23, for my blog, The Pet Tree House. Are you thinking about adding a new fury family member? If you are ready now, come join me at this event. You may have seen the commercials on television about clearing the shelters. ‘Clear the Shelters’ is a nationwide adoption event. Animal shelters across the country will come together July 23 for Clear the Shelters, a nationwide pet adoption initiative that aims to connect animals in need with loving new families. Most people want puppies, and often overlook senior pets. Did you know that there are many benefits of adopting a senior pet? Please read my post: There Are Many Benefits to Adopting a Senior Pet from a Shelter or Rescue Organization: Gratitude and Loyalty of the Animal for the Remaining Years of its Life, Are Two of Them
Please consider adopting a senior pet. Want a head start? Take a look at some of the animals that will be available for adoption on the 23rd , from Washington Humane Society/ Washington Animal Rescue League. Just click on the links below. Washington Humane Society Washington Animal Rescue League Hope to see you there, but most importantly hoping to see you give a loving home to a deserving animal.
Washington, DC - With the National Weather Service predicting temperatures around 90 degrees for the next seven days, the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League is asking all pet owners to take precautions with your pets during this period of extreme heat. Some tips for pet owners, courtesy of WHS-WARL Director of Behavior and Training Alexandra Dilley.
Keep your pets indoors when temperatures are extreme and in the shade when they are outdoors.
Walk your pets early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Give pets plenty of water to avoid dehydration. When you walk your pet or take your pet outside, carry water with you.
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. Temperatures in cars can increase rapidly and become lethal.
Animals with short noses such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers and Persian cats, struggle in the heat. Dogs and cats cool themselves by breathing through their mouths, but those with flat faces cannot cool as quickly and need extra attention.
If your pet is panting excessively, drooling, struggling to walk, is lethargic or has bloody diarrhea or vomiting, know that that these are potentially signs of overheating.
Windows in the home that are open should have screens. Pets can fall out of open, unsecured windows.
Be careful with dogs on asphalt in the heat. Not only are their paws sensitive but because their bodies are closer to the asphalt, they can overheat more easily.
As always, if you think your pet is in distress due to the heat, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
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 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.
Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. Almost every moment of the day is captured on camera, either in photos or video. When you get married, you want the most important people in your life there. Or, the most important animals! One NFL player refused to get married without his pup! Jeremy Zuttah, a center for the Baltimore Ravens, was not going to get married unless his pit bull, Ace, could join him! I like your style, Jeremy. I’d definitely want my dog to be able to join me as a witness on my big day! Jeremy and his fiancée Heran planned on getting married at city hall, but when they found out Ace couldn’t join them, they immediately looked for a different venue! Ace has been with Jeremy Zuttah and his fiancée Heran for about eight years, ever since they adopted him when they were students at Rutgers University. The couple looked into different venues for their wedding, city hall being one of the first. But when they said they couldn’t bring Ace, they quickly changed their minds. To make sure he was a very well-behaved boy, Haren and Jeremy sent Ace for training classes to prep for the big day at Downtown Dog Resort! Jeremy and Heran are actually big advocates for adoption. They both take credit for Jeremy’s teammate Ronnie Stanley publicly adopting the most “unadoptable” dog at a shelter in Baltimore! Ace was definitely the center of attention at this wedding! He was the star of the show walking down the aisle with his dad.
A man in Canada was having trouble finding a job. His support dog, Blue, accompanies him at all times because of his special needs, and most employers weren’t ready to take on a pooch employee in addition to his human. But one Lowes home improvement store in Regina, Saskatchewan was willing to hire the man and his dog, and they took it a step further. The store created an employee vest and name tag for their new canine worker, and now Blue is waiting with his owner to greet you at the store. Take a look at the adorable doggy uniform! I’d be happy to visit stores that had cute dogs working alongside humans. Some Reddit users have questioned Blue’s ability to assist customers with their needs. One user said, “Betcha he doesn’t know jack s**t about plumbing either.” Another user replied, “Nonsense. I’m sure he knows that the American standard wall mounted toilets with wide bowls are MUCH easier to drink out of, as opposed to the non-mounted elongated ones.” Maybe Blue will have some of the answers, after all!
