The Bird is the Word The perennial question – whether dogs or cats are the more popular pet – continues.  In these times, however, more people are looking at other options including fish, smaller animals such as gerbils, guinea pigs and hamsters, and birds.  A 2017-2018 survey showed that out of a total of 393.3 […]

By Angela June Ohm The Joys of Adopting a “Hard to Adopt” Pet This title doesn’t refer to show breeds: it refers to those pets who seemingly nobody wants.  Who languish in foster homes and shelters while younger pets, healthier pets, and those who just plain “show better” metaphorically fly off the shelf. According to […]

By Cindy McGovern Tired of being cooped up?  Your pet may be as well. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been profound, with more than 100,000 American lives lost and over two million infected.  From stay-at-home orders, to social distancing, telework and school closings, the past few months have been stressful for everyone.  It’s […]

By Carolyn Cockroft End of Life Decisions Thanks to advances in veterinary care and improved diets, pets are living longer. The pleasure of enjoying our pets for additional years, however, comes with age-related conditions. Cats and small dogs are considered geriatric at the age of 7, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Larger […]

Points on Pets By Lisa Velenovsky In China, a new mother cradles her tiny baby constantly, giving her the care and attention a helpless newborn needs. Another mom, this one in Africa, gets a much-needed break when her women’s group watches over her baby while she rests. A hungry mom-to-be in the Pacific is fully […]

Think twice before adding a live animal to your Easter basket! By Cindy McGovern Sure, it’s adorable; an Easter basket with a baby rabbit, chick, or duckling peeking out.  Who wouldn’t want one?  Well, once the novelty and initial cuteness wear off, many people. According to the House Rabbit Society, rabbits are the third most […]

Starting the New Year Right for Your Pets By Steph Selice We all greet every January with high hopes and the best of intentions, and many of us resolve to ensure this new year will be the best one ever. To rephrase Mark Twain’s famous quote, instead of paving hell with annual good resolutions to […]

By Cindy McGovern Winter Weather Challenges Are On the Way…Be Prepared As summer fades to fall, the challenges you and your pet face from the heat and humidity of summer fade as well.  You may take longer walks and your pet may be more energetic.  Don’t forget, though, that winter is just around the corner […]

Hard at Work:  Service, Emotional Support, and Therapy Animals By Cheryl Burns I have a coworker who never fails to bring a smile to my face. She has this remarkable gift — an amazing ability to make every person feel like they are special, important, and loved. The unsaid message seems to be: “You! It’s […]

By Victoria Elliott Where the Wild Things Roam…Look…But Don’t Touch! For many people, summertime means venturing into the great outdoors to enjoy the long days, sunshine, and to soak in all the natural world has to offer before autumn comes back around and the days grow cold again. Whether it’s camping with friends in the […]