Local animal shelters have plenty of dogs waiting for new homes, but if you choose to adopt from a private rescue group, it helps to do some homework first.

"Pets are big business and very lucrative," said Madeline Bernstein, president of SpcaLA. "So there are a lot of scams out there."

A legitimate group will quarantine its dogs for at least ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Ellen DeGeneres skipped on stage for her talk show that day, beaming, proclaiming: “I can’t even tell you how excited I am.” The comedian and her wife had adopted a puppy, a chocolate-brown poodle named Mrs. Wallis Browning.

“We got her from a wonderful rescue place,” she told the audience in 2019. “It’s called ...Read more

The sun is shining, the weather's warm, schools are out—it's time for some summer fun! For folks with canine companions, summer means more time outdoors. From long walks through shady spots to days at the beach or the lake, time outside means more sunshine for everyone—a welcome relief after those dreary winters that can get pet parents and ...Read more

Being in the full swing of summertime means more opportunities to enjoy the weather and that always means outdoor dining!

Whether you’re out to dinner or at weekend brunch, the American Kennel Club suggests the following tips for dining out with your dog safely:

Hydration is key: Outdoor dining is most popular during the summer, and that...Read more

(UPI) A Maryland man's lost dog turned up two years later after somehow ending up 1,000 miles from home.

Tony Duncan said his dog, Luna, vanished from his Mardela Springs home after chasing some wild animals into the nearby woods and failing to return.

Duncan said he never gave up hope he would see Luna again, but he was still shocked to ...Read more

Service dogs can alleviate some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans, according to a study our team published in June 2024 in the medical journal JAMA Network Open.

Over the past decade, our research group has been studying whether trained service dogs can help veterans with PTSD – a mental health condition that ...Read more

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet. More than ever before, companion animals are a part of life – particularly in cities, where the majority of Americans live.

Cities offer access to many resources, but often it’s not distributed evenly. Some scholars describe parts of U.S. cities with few or no grocery ...Read more

(UPI) Ohio State Patrol troopers rescued a curious kitten that crawled in between the wheels of a semi truck and became stuck.

The OSP's Northeast Ohio office said on social media that a semi driver was conducting a pre-trip inspection of his vehicle on the Ohio Turnpike in Portage County when he discovered a kitten wedged in between two tires....Read more

On and around the Fourth of July, pets can experience an increase in anxiety due to loud noises from the holiday festivities. Veterinary clinics and emergency centers receive an influx of calls due to this increase in stress and even about pets who have ingested fireworks. However, with a little planning, you can try to help your pets tolerate...Read more

(UPI) A longtime runner-up in California's World's Ugliest Dog Contest finally got his crown.

On Friday, fourth time was the charm for Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oreg., who previously placed second in the annual competition three times before.

Wild Thang is a survivor of distempter, a viral disease that infects ...Read more

(UPI) A cheetah cub born at an Oregon zoo was successfully transferred to an Ohio facility and paired with a new foster mother.

Wildlife Safari, a zoo in Winston, Ore., said on social media that the male cub was one of two born June 7 to Zuri, "the #1 genetically valued female cheetah in North America."

The second cub was born with an ...Read more

When dogs get excited, it’s natural that they might jump, especially when greeting people. Although a dog’s intentions might be harmless, it can be unsafe for larger dogs to jump on people, especially kids or the elderly.

The American Kennel Club recommends the following tips for helping your pup stop jumping on people:

Ignore the ...Read more

BALTIMORE — A 50-year-old woman died and two other people were injured after being attacked by a group of stray dogs in West Baltimore on Friday night, according to Baltimore Police.

Around 9 p.m. police were called to the 2000 block of North Pulaski Street in Mondawmin for reports of a dog bite. When police arrived at the scene, they were ...Read more

Seven, the dog who played Daryl Dixon's canine companion Dog on "The Walking Dead," has died.

AMC confirmed the canine actor's death Thursday on the show's Instagram page: "Rest in peace, Seven. #TWD's best boy," the post said, featuring images of the Belgian Malinois. On X, formerly Twitter, the network's announcement, which featured a shot of...Read more

(UPI) An Iowa family's Great Dane has been named the world's tallest living dog at a height of 3 feet and 2 inches.

Guinness World Records said the Des Moines, Iowa, canine, named Kevin, was officially measured at 3 feet and 2 inches from his feet to his withers -- the point at the base of his neck, over his shoulders.

The record-keeping ...Read more

(UPI) A skateboarding cat showed off his skills in China and earned a Guinness World Record by skateboarding a distance of 32 feet, 9.2 inches in just 12.85 seconds.

Bao Zi, an American shorthair cat, broke the record for the fastest 10 meters on a skateboard by a cat at the age of just 1 year and 8 months old.

Bao Zi's owner, professional dog...Read more

(UPI) Police in India said an animal spotted in the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony was not a leopard, despite rumors on social media.

Viewers of the live broadcast Monday noticed a large feline walking in the background while Modi was sworn in for his third term at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the prime minister's ...Read more