The Giant Panda Is No Longer An Endangered Species

The Giant Panda, the symbol of conservation, has been declared as no longer endangered by a group of experts on Sunday. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now classifies the iconic animal as vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species after half a century of efforts to save it from extinction.

To read more on this story, click here: The Giant Panda Is No Longer An Endangered Species


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Stunning Images from the 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Contest

The 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is underway.

National Geographic invites photographers from around the world to enter the 2016 Nature Photographer of the Year contest. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.

Eligible contestants can visit natgeo.com/photocontest to submit photographs in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits. Each entry to the contest will be submitted through National Geographic's photo community, Your Shot, where members can comment on photos and share their favorites. The entry fee is $15 (USD) per photo, and there is no limit to the number of submissions per entrant. Entries must be in digital format and submitted electronically. The contest ends Saturday, Nov. 4, at 12 p.m. EDT (U.S.).

Here's a look at some of the submissions so far.

To read more on this story, click here: Stunning Images from the 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Contest



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September is Happy Cat Month: Tips on Keeping Your Cat Happy

The month of September has been designated as Happy Cat Month. That’s right, a whole month dedicated to keeping your cat happy and, of course, healthy.

Here are few tips for keeping your cat happy throughout the year:

• Provide entertainment for your cat. Make sure your cat has lots of toys to play with and also make sure you set aside some personal time for interacting and playing with your cat. It will help you bond with your cat and also promote exercise, an important part of your cat’s routine to prevent weight gain and to keep your cat’s mind stimulated.

•  Make sure all your cat’s needs are met by providing a clean litter box, perches, hiding places, and scratching surfaces. A clean food and water dish is essential as well. In multiple cat households, you’ll need additional sets of resources. Without these things, your cat is likely to become stressed and may start exhibiting unwanted behaviors. Stress can also be a contributing factor in illnesses for your cat. 

• Keep your cat lean and fit. An overweight cat is more susceptible to a variety of diseases, including diabetes. Lots of toys and interactive play will be a big factor in increasing exercise for your cat, helping to burn calories and keep your cat at a proper weight. Diet, of course, plays a role as well. 

• Feed your cat a high quality diet appropriate to your cat’s lifestage. Make sure the diet is complete and balanced. Feed in a proportion that keeps your cat from gaining excess weight. 

• This next tip may not make your cat particularly happy but regular veterinary visits are essential for maintaining your cat’s health. Of course, a healthy cat is a happy one. 

• Don’t forget about your cat’s teeth. Regular oral care will help keep your cat’s mouth healthy and help prevent dental disease, a common malady in cats. 

• If your cat enjoys spending time outdoors, consider providing a catio. A catio is an outdoor enclosure that will confine your cat to a given space and provide protection from the threats faced by cats that spend time outdoors unsupervised. A catio can provide hours of entertainment for your cat. Another option is taking your cat outdoors on a collar or harness and leash. Your cat will enjoy investigating the outdoor environment and you will be there to keep him safe and secure.

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Rare — and Lonely — East African Bird Spotted in Upland

UPLAND >> He dances, he hops, he calls out for a mate.

But he’s not likely to find one.

He — or perhaps she, we really don’t know — is an East African crowned crane, also known as a grey crowned crane. As the name suggests, it’s clearly not native to Rancho Cucamonga.

But according to locals, amateur photographers and bird enthusiasts, this handsome fellow has made a home in Cucamonga Basin No. 6, a flood control and groundwater recharge area south of the Colonies Crossroads shopping center near the 210 Freeway.

Calls to both the Los Angeles and San Diego zoos indicated they’re not short a crane. But the tag on the left leg indicates he belonged to someone.

Alta Loma resident Suzanne Stull spotted the bird Monday morning.

“I like to take bird and wildlife photos and hiked around the basin, hoping to find something interesting,” she said in an email. The bird was so interesting, she had to take to the internet to dig up information.

To read more on this story, click here: Rare — and Lonely — East African Bird Spotted in Upland

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Convicted Animal Abusers Will No Longer Be Able to Adopt Animals in Hillsborough County, Florida

Tampa, Florida - County commissioners on Thursday approved a new registry for people convicted of harming animals. Individuals on the registry won’t be able to adopt or work with animals, and retailers and shelters will be required to check the registry whenever someone wants to adopt.

Commissioner Kevin Beckner has pushed the issue for months but it was continually pulled back to fix kinks. For example, retailers had objections that their staffs would be in charge of confronting people with violent pasts.

Beckner said the issue was resolved. Instead of checking people against the animal registry at the point of sale, potential adopters would have to sign an affidavit affirming that they have never been convicted of animal abuse. Then, retailers would verify after and notify the county to send animal control officers to seize the pet.

Shelters would run the background check immediately.

If retailers had any lingering objectives, Beckner said, the retail industry would prefer to have no obligation whatsoever.”

“We as a committee believed that there had to be some obligation to protect animals and protect the public safety,” Beckner said.

While groups like the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and their volunteers lobbied for the ordinance, animal advocates in the community weren’t unanimous in their support of the registry.

Lisa Hutches, chair of the county’s citizen Animal Advisory Committee said the ordinance was “ill written” and would prove costly to the county. She asked for commissioners to send the proposal back to the committee for further review.

“It is not going to save one animal in the county,” Hutches said. “What you have right now is not sufficient at all. This is an animal rights driven activism.”

It seemed that commissioners at one point considered obliging Hutches. Commissioner Stacy White made a motion to delay action until October and await a recommendation from the advisory committee and several commissioners expressed that it would be their preferred option.

“I don’t think the ordinance right now is exactly ready for us to vote on. I am in favor of an animal abuse registry,” Murman said. “Personally I believe this is a state issue.”

But Beckner said the state Legislature has repeatedly killed bills to create an animal registry. The registry, he and supporters said, would also allow law enforcement to keep tabs on violent individuals, noting that a history of harm to animals often proceeds violence toward people.

He defended his proposal against objections from the Animal Advisory Committee as politically motivated.

“They seem to have a problem with them not being approached to begin with to draft this ordinance,” Beckner said. “Their intention is to get this thrown back to them so they can get the credit for trying to bring this forward.”

Ultimately, the board voted 6-1 to approve. White was the “no” vote.

The ordinance will go into effect on November 1, 2016.

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Max Scherzer: "Adopt Star, an 8-Month-Old Australian Shepherd Mix Puppy from the WHS/WARL and I Will Cover Your Adoption Fee"

Washington, DC -  Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He posted to facebook:

Anyone looking for a new family member? Star is a beautiful 8 month old Australian Shepherd mix and even better, she has dichro eyes!! She's a little shy but very sweet and needs a loving home. Star is at Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League Oglethorpe location and if you tell them I sent her, I'll cover the adoption fee! #AdoptDontShop

STAR
Animal ID: 33374074 
Species: Dog 
Age: 8 months 7 days 
Sex: Female 
Color: Black/White 
Declawed: No 
Site: Oglethorpe Street 

Hello! My name is Star. Despite my name, I'm afraid of the limelight. I'm a shy girl who needs a forever home that's quiet because sometimes loud noises and too much energy scares me. You might have to help me come out of my shell first before I show you my silly side. I'm a good fetch player and I've been known to jump up and give kisses to the staff at WARL! Because I'm a little nervous, I would do best in a quiet home with older kids. Hope to see you soon :)

To learn more about Star, click HERE: 

If you are interested in adopting Star, please contact:
Oglethorpe Street Adoption Center
71 Oglethorpe Street, NW 
Washington, DC 20011
202-726-2556

Open for adoptions:
Tues-Sun 12 p.m.-7 p.m.*
Closed for adoptions on Mondays

Please read: Steps to Adopt

Please Share!

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People Are Eating Up SpaghettiO the One-Eyed Cat on Instagram

The Instagram page of a one-eyed cat named SpaghettiO is serving up some delicious photos of the unique looking feline going about her day.

Over 35,000 followers are fans of the shaggy kitty, who lost an eye after an unfortunate accident with a chair.

“She attempted to climb up the back of a dining chair and pulled it over on herself,” her owner Meghan tells PEOPLE in an email. “The ensuing head trauma caused paralysis and the swelling of her brain permanently damaged her right eye.”

It was a long road but she was able to regain her motor functions and make a “remarkable recovery,” Meghan says —which might be why she’s inspiring cat lovers right meow.

To read more on this story, click here: People Are Eating Up SpaghettiO the One-Eyed Cat on Instagram




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Over 300 Wild Reindeer Have Been Killed by Lightning in Southern Norway

More than 300 wild reindeer have been killed by lightning in southern Norway, officials said Monday, in the largest such incident known to date.

The 323 reindeer, including 70 young, were found on Friday by a gamekeeper on the Hardangervidda plateau, a national park where Europe's largest herd of some 10,000 wild reindeer roam freely.

Television footage showed the animals' dead bodies lying close together on the ground.

"There were very strong storms in the area on Friday. The animals stay close together in bad weather and these ones were hit by lightning," an official from the Norwegian Environment Agency, Kjartan Knutsen, told AFP.

Reindeer are social creatures and usually move in packs.

"It's unusual. We've never seen anything like this on this scale," Knutsen said.

Norwegian authorities have yet to decide what to do with the animals.

"We're going to decide soon whether to let nature run its own course or whether we will do something," he said.

Of the 323 reindeer killed, five had to be put down due to their injuries.

Thee are some 25,000 wild tundra reindeer in Norway, located in the southern mountain ranges, according to experts.

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Doggone Thief Snatches Injured Canine’s Custom Brace from Doorstep

When the package was snatched from Rummy’s doorstep Aug. 20, the thief nabbed a custom-made brace designed to help the dog heal from a knee injury.

At least that’s what appears to have happened, since the package was delivered to the home on Moss Avenue, but never found.

Rummy’s human companions Tom McDonnell and Kathy Gray, a Chico State University mathematics and statistics professor, waited about a week before ordering him another $900 brace, hoping the missing package would be returned.

“My poor dog,” Gray said. “He’s not like a guard dog or anything like that. He probably didn’t even bark whenever whoever stole this off the porch. He’s just a nice sweet dog.”

Posh Dog Knee Brace, the orthotic canine brace company that crafted Rummy’s device, even posted a $150 reward on Craigslist, no questions asked.

“The dog that you stole this from is 9 years old,” Posh co-owner Jim Morrison said. “It’s like stealing a cane from an old man.”

To read more on this story, click here: Doggone Thief Snatches Injured Canine’s Custom Brace from Doorstep

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Dolphin's Spray Perfectly Presented a Rainbow

St. Petersburg, Florida  - Fort Desoto Park - Suncoast sea life seems to love the warm Gulf waters this time of year, and they're giving onlookers a show while they play.

A group of dolphins in the water near Fort Desoto swam ahead of Michael McCarthy's see through canoe, and luckily he had his GoPro camera rolling.

The group of six dolphins seemed casual as they led McCarthy's canoe forward, spraying water in the air with their blowholes.

In the center of the pack, a dolphin's spray perfectly presented a rainbow, seeming as if the dolphin created the rainbow.

McCarthy's camera also captured leaping dolphins, seeming to compete for which could jump highest above the water.

Finally, three dolphins swam side-by-side, swaying back and forth, before crossing perfectly under the front of McCarthy's canoe. With the see though bottom, he was able to capture the moment seamlessly.

The dolphins certainly seemed happy for an audience and McCarthy said he was glad to provide one.








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2016 Election: Which Candidate is the Most Animal-Friendly?

The 2016 election has become one of the most heated and divisive primaries in American history.

But no matter which party you align with, all animal-loving voters should be aware of the stances their candidates take in regards to animal rights and humane policies that protect pets.  

So how do the presidential and vice presidential candidates stack up when it comes to historical pet-friendliness and all-around animal activism? Here are some of the major things to know: 

Hillary Rodham Clinton:

The Democratic presidential nominee has an entire page on her website about how she plans to "promote animal welfare and protect animals from cruelty and abuse."

One of the bullet points of Clinton's promises says that, as President, she would "Protect pets and domesticated animals by making sure facilities like animal breeders, zoos, and research institutions create plans to protect the animals in their care during disasters; strengthen regulations of 'puppy mills' and other harmful commercial breeding facilities; and support the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act."

During her time in the Senate, Clinton co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, as well as a bill to amend the Horse Protection Act. 

Clinton, a pet parent to three dogs (Seamus, Maisie, and Tally), has previously recieved a perfect score from the Humane Society's Legislative Fund. In a press release in 2007 for the HSLF, Clinton said, "Our policies should reflect the important role that animals play in our lives and our environment. I believe we should treat animals humanely and that is why I support anti-cruelty laws."

To read more on this story, click here: 2016 Election: Which Candidate is the Most Animal-Friendly?


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Causes of Scratching and Licking in Cats

In addition to allergies, there are other diseases which can cause your cat to scratch, lick, or pull on her hair. A short description of these conditions such as mange, cancer, behavioral problems, and infections, along with their diagnosis and treatment, are shown in the table below. Many of the more uncommon conditions are included as well. This large number of conditions helps you understand why a quick diagnosis may be difficult to make and various diagnostic tests may need to be performed. The most common conditions are color-coded gray in the table (some may be more common in certain geographical areas).

To read more on this story, click here: Causes of Scratching & Licking in Cats



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Do You Know What Reverse Sneezing is in Dogs? Would You Know What to Do?

Reverse sneezing is a condition that affects all types of dogs, but more commonly smaller dogs such as miniatures, Terriers, and brachycephalic breeds. It is a "paroxysmal" respiratory response, meaning that it comes in spasm-like episodes.

What Is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs?

Reverse sneezing is a fairly common respiratory event in dogs, but is rarely seen in cats. It is suspected to be caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal, pharyngeal, or sinus passages. It may be a way for the dog to attempt to remove foreign particles such as dust, powder or other irritants or allergens from its upper airways. It is also seen after periods of over-excitement.

Reverse sneezing is characterized by sudden, rapid and repeated inhalations through the nose, followed by snorting or gagging sounds. It can be alarming to an owner, but is not known to be harmful to dogs without any underlying conditions (such as heart disease), and most dogs are completely normal before and after a reverse sneezing episode. In dogs that exhibit reverse sneezing, it is not uncommon for them to have repeat episodes of reverse sneezing throughout their lives.

What Happens When A Dog Reverse Sneezes?

During a reverse sneeze, the dog will suddenly stand still, extend its head and neck, and produce a loud snorting sound.

This condition should be differentiated from a tracheal collapse (often seen in toy breeds), which is characterized by a loud "honking" sound.

A tracheal collapse is of a more serious nature than a reverse sneeze.

What Should I Do If My Dog Reverse Sneezes?

A common remedy is to hold the dog's nostrils closed for a second and lightly massage its throat to calm him. Lightly blowing in his face may also help. This should cause the dog to swallow a couple of times, which will usually stop the spasm of the reverse sneeze. Getting the dog in a cool area or outside with fresh air while trying to verbally calm him can also be useful.

Most dogs do not require medication, however, some veterinarians recommend antihistamines if the problem is serious, chronic, and allergy-related. An evaluation of the environment would also be helpful in determining possible causes of these events. Perfumes, carpet cleaners, etc. are often cited in these dogs' histories.




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Maggie an Australian Kelpie Dog Who Was Considered the Worlds Oldest Living Dog Dies at Age 30

Maggie the Kelpie, an Australian dog that was thought to be the oldest in the world, died in April, 2016, at the age of 30 leaving her owner devastated.

She was the best friend of Victorian dairy farmer Brian McLaren who confirmed the news, saying that Maggie passed away peacefully on Sunday night.

The beloved dog was still wandering around the dairy in Woolsthorpe, west of Melbourne, and growling at cats in the weeks before her death.

But Mr. McLaren said that the Kelpie, who was more than 200 in dog years, went downhill in her last two days.

“She was 30 years old, she was still going along nicely last week, she was walking from the dairy to the office and growling at the cats and all that sort of thing,” Mr. McLaren told the Weekly Times.

“She just went downhill in two days and I said yesterday morning when I went home for lunch ... 'She hasn't got long now”.

“I'm sad, but I'm pleased she went the way she went.”
Maggie has already been buried beside the McLaren's other dog in a marked grave under a pine tree.

“We were great mates, it is a bit sad,'” he said.

Maggie was a contender for the oldest dog in the world, but Mr. McLaren lost the original paperwork for the dog, meaning that her age could not be independently verified.

The Western District owner previously spoke about the fact that his youngest son, Liam, was four years old when they bought Kelpie Maggie as a young pup. Liam is now 34.

Officially, the title of the oldest dog in the world still belongs to Bluey, an Australian cattle-dog from Rochester in Victoria, which reached 29 years and five months.

According to the Guinness Book of Records his owner bought him as a puppy in 1910 and he grew up to work among the sheep and cattle until he was put down in November 1939.

Maggie the Kelpie, an Australian dog that was thought to be the oldest in the world, has died at the age of 30 leaving her owner devastated.

Maggie the Kelpie, an Australian dog that was thought to be the oldest in the world, has died at the age of 30 leaving her owner Brian McLaren (pictured) devastated.

Mr. McLaren said that the Kelpie, who was approaching her third century in human years, went downhill in her last two days.

The beloved dog was still wandering around the dairy in Woolsthorpe, west of Melbourne, and growling at cats in the weeks before her death.







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