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'A necessary evil': The captive dogs whose blood saves lives

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Inside a subzero freezer at a Northern California pet hospital sit rows of carefully labeled bags of fresh frozen plasma. Each pouch could save a pet’s life: a retriever that ingested poison, a corgi with a bleeding disorder, a puppy with parvovirus.

While the pouches each look the same, their straw-colored contents come from starkly ...Read more

Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register/TNS

Bird flu kills 20 big cats in Washington state sanctuary

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Four cougars. Four bobcats. Two lynx. Even a Bengal tiger.

Bird flu has taken a terrible toll at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center, a sanctuary for wildcats and their hybrids on Harstine Island, Washington, killing 20 cats — half the animals in its care.

"The only thing I can compare it to, as a veteran, is being in a war zone," director Mark ...Read more

10 Tips for Choosing the Best Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Choosing the right dog breed is a big decision that can shape your life for years to come. With countless breeds to choose from, finding the perfect furry companion for your lifestyle can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for a jogging buddy, a cuddly lap dog, or a loyal family protector, these 10 tips will help you make an informed ...Read more

Andy Cross/The Denver Post/TNS

Mountain lion travels over 400 miles, then gets shot by hunter, Missouri officials say

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

A hunter took trophy photos with a mountain lion he shot in Missouri, but was then cited for killing the protected cat, officials said.

While hunting in Iron County on Nov. 16, the man saw a mountain lion pass under a tree stand he was on, according to court documents.

“He got excited at what it was, stood up, and then decided to shoot (the ...Read more

Indoor exercise with your pup: The AKC offers tips for winter activities to do with your dog

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

As winter arrives and the weather gets colder, it’s important to find ways to keep your pup healthy and exercised, even if you’re confined to the indoors. It’s important for you and your dog to stay active.

Although it can be difficult to find things to do in the winter, the American Kennel Club suggests the following tips to get ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Judge rules San Diego Humane Society's policy of returning cats to community violates law

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Humane Society’s policy of turning away domesticated cats roaming outside and instead returning them back to where they were found without ensuring they have a caretaker violates the law, a judge ruled Friday.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal’s decision following a bench trial is a victory for the ...Read more

Gov. Maura Healey/TNS

Lack of doggie day care rules leaves many pet owners in the dark

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

The death of Ollie, a 9-month-old labradoodle mauled at a Massachusetts pet care facility in 2020, led the state this October to enact the stringent “Ollie’s Law,” tightening regulations on the care and housing of pets at boarding and training kennels.

The new Massachusetts law mandates the timely reporting of such incidents to local ...Read more

More LA cats appear to be infected with H5N1 bird flu

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

LOS ANGELES — Experts believe three more cats in Los Angeles County have been infected with H5N1 bird flu. Two others succumbed to the disease earlier this month after drinking recalled raw milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC dairies.

Of the three new sick cats, two died and one tested positive for influenza A, an unusual finding in domestic ...Read more

Donna Kilday/Dreamstime/TNS

Animals are someone, not stocking stuffers

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

A few years ago, I heard about a family who had surprised their children with what they thought was the “perfect” Christmas present: a tiny calico kitten named Freya, complete with a big red bow tied loosely around her neck. The kids were delighted and spent hours caring for their new family member. But by New Year’s Day, they had lost ...Read more

Holiday hazards: How to be cautious of holiday items around your pup

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

It’s the holiday season and we want to remind you that during all the festivities this wonderful time of the year, do not forget the safety of your pets.

During my many years heading Chicago’s largest veterinary emergency center, the winter holidays were consistently the busiest time of the year. Our curious pets find all kinds of ways ...Read more

Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee/TNS

Raw milk from California dairy linked to cat deaths from bird flu in Los Angeles County

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Raw milk recalled from a Fresno County dairy is suspected in the deaths of two cats in Los Angeles County, health officials said Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating the two possible cases of H5 bird flu in cats that consumed recalled raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC — California’s largest producer of raw...Read more

US National Park Service/ZUMA Press Wire/TNS

LA's mountain lions become more nocturnal to avoid people. Does it come at a cost?

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

LOS ANGELES — Griffith Park’s late celebrity mountain lion P-22 took the night shift to avoid hordes of hikers, bikers and dawdlers who frequented his home in the heart of Los Angeles — and it’s a pattern replicated by other pumas in the region, according to a new study.

The move to a later schedule is an encouraging example of a ...Read more

U.S. Food and Drug Administration/TNS/TNS

Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— A pet food company based in North Carolina is recalling puppy mix sold in seven states after a batch tested positive for salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The contamination came to light when a litter of puppies got sick after consuming Blue Ridge Beef’s Puppy Mix, and the customer reported it to the ...Read more

Pets mourn the loss of other pets, too. Here's how experts say you can help them.

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Many movies, cartoons, and television shows often depict pets in a lighthearted way, showcasing their cheerfulness and laissez-faire attitude. On the contrary, modern science suggests that pets possess a deeper level of intelligence than we ever dared to imagine, and they experience the range of feelings we once assumed were just felt by humans....Read more

Shedding season: Tips to help deal with your dog’s heavy shedding

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Whether your dog’s hair is long or short, it is inevitable that you will find loose hair around the house when they are shedding. Regular grooming and plenty of brushing in between will help minimize the stray fur you find. However, when shedding gets heavy during the winter months from blowing coats, pet owners need to resort to Plan B.

...Read more

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/TNS

A man and his dog find stash of rare books on the sidewalk; 8 months later, library solves the mystery

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

CHICAGO -- On an evening walk in Chicago's North Center neighborhood back in early March, Sparky — Robert Miller’s golden brown mutt that weighs 35 pounds and has hunting dog in its DNA — seemingly caught a scent.

“She’s a creature of habit,” said Miller, a retired 75-year-old who has lived in the neighborhood for about a dozen ...Read more

Thanksgiving safety for your dog

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means there is plenty to be done, planning each dish and table setting. With so much going on, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be a lot of food around and you might not be able to give your dog your full, undivided attention.

This gives your pup plenty of opportunities to sneak some ...Read more

Missouri Department of Conservation/TNS

A Missouri deer hunter just killed a mountain lion. How common are these big cats?

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Missouri deer hunter reportedly killed a mountain lion Monday, Nov. 18, according to a social media post from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

“We are aware of an incident that occurred this past weekend in Iron County where a deer hunter killed a mountain lion,” the department wrote on Facebook on Monday. “...Read more

Research aims to improve quality of life for dogs with epilepsy

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

Just like people, dogs can suffer from epilepsy.

This seizure disorder is characterized by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain resulting in abnormal movements, altered behavior, and/or loss of consciousness. Seizures can have many causes, such as trauma, infection, metabolic disturbances, brain tumors and more. When no specific ...Read more

Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images North America/TNS

A dog's congressional life: Babydog to Dakota, Deco to Splash and more

Pets / Cats & Dogs News /

WASHINGTON — Sen.-elect Jim Justice already knew that his canine companion, Babydog, would not be allowed on the Senate floor, but much of the rest of the Capitol building is dog-friendly — and has been for years.

“Senator-Elect Bernie Moreno jokingly asked about dogs and mentioned Babydog in jest. I told them they do not have to worry ...Read more