Los Angeles recently approved a largescale trap-neuter-return (TNR) project called the Citywide Cat Program to reduce the number of homeless cats and kittens in the city. An estimated 20,000 stray cats will be spayed or neutered each year under the program. Experts say that over the...
The Humane Society of the United States invites everyone to show their appreciation for animal shelters and the dedicated people who work in sheltering during the first week of November each year. Shelters are safe havens for homeless pets, and of course a great place to...
Today is National Cat Day! Founded in 2005, National Cat Day is not only a fun way to celebrate our love of cats, it's also a great opportunity to share important reminders about cat adoption and cat care. According to the National Cat Day website, today is...
Veterinarians have traditionally advised clients to have their cats spayed and neutered at 6 months, but because cats can begin reproducing before then, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has updated its position statement on pediatric sterilization in cats to recommend spay/neuter by 5 months...
Researchers at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have found that early spay/neuter in heavier mixed breed dogs can lead to joint problems later in life. Specifically, the study found that mixed breed dogs with an adult weight of 44 pounds or heavier...
Community cats--unowned stray and/or feral cats that live outdoors--are common in all types of neighborhoods. Many kindhearted people who live in these communities provide food and shelter for the homeless cats in their area. The hot summer months can be as hard on these kitties as...
The New York Times recently shared some good animal welfare news: companion animal euthanasia rates have fallen an impressive 75% since 2009. The Times collected animal shelter data from 20 US municipalities. They found that shelters in many cities are reporting significant drops in dog and...
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has outlined the 6 distinct cat life stages, and what cat owners can do to provide the best care for their cats at each stage of life, from kittenhood to geriatrics. Here’s a quick overview, and be sure to visit...
The Humane Society of the United States recently announced the creation of their new “Humane Puerto Rico” initiative. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S. and according to HSUS, there are many dogs, cats, and other animals there that are in urgent need of...
Caring for our companion animals is a big responsibility. What goes into being a responsible pet owner? The elements of responsible pet ownership go beyond providing our animals with food, water, and shelter. We’ve collected a few basic but important tips on the components of...
Veterinary scientists from the University of Chile’s Veterinary and Livestock Faculty have created a contraceptive vaccine for both male and female dogs, intended to address that country’s growing population of homeless dogs. The concept of “immuno-castration” is not new. Research began in the 1980s in Australia...
When you spay and neuter your pets you are doing your part in helping to decrease the huge number of unwanted puppies and kittens that end up in animal shelters each year. Fixing your pet also has many health and behavior benefits for male and...
Spaying or neutering your new kitten or puppy is an important part of your pet’s veterinary care. Responsible pet owners should be aware of the pet overpopulation problem and do their part to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats in shelters by fixing...