A love for animals unites most pet lovers – but it can divide us just as much. Most of us agree on a few basic things: pets deserve to be happy, healthy, and loved – but how they should receive those things is often the subject of debate. Recently 11Alive.com shared what appeared to be the heartwarming story of Dr. John Keating, an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia, who studied to perform surgery on humans but had a passion for … Read more

When a probation officer was notified that a “court-ordered ankle monitor” had been removed, he paid a visit to the person’s home and discovered dozens of dogs living in shocking and unsafe conditions. The probation officer immediately called the local dog warden. But because the case involved extreme neglect, they turned to the Licking County Humane Society for help.  After a brief conversation with the single human resident, agents expected this rescue to be a small-scale endeavor. But the situation … Read more

It’s easy to tell when our furry friends are acting unusual, but figuring out what the problem is can but tricky. In most cases, vets can discover issues that families can’t, but even professionals get stumped sometimes. Amanda Coleman knew something was wrong with her three-year-old Labrador named Poppy for several weeks before vets determined the cause. Somehow, a stick lodged inside her neck had gone undetected by x-rays. So, when a vet found the root of Poppy’s symptoms, it … Read more

New York could become the sixth state to ban the retail sale of puppies, kittens, and rabbits now that lawmakers have passed the legislation. There’s only one more step before New York joins California, Maryland, Illinois, Maine, and Washington. The New York State Legislature passed the bill in June 2022, so now, citizens are waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul to make the final decision. If this bill passes, no retailers in New York would be able to sell dogs, cats, … Read more

The last thing anyone wants to do the day they lose a loved one is get right back to work. Some employers will be amenable to giving time off when you lose a dog, but many consider this type of loss unequal to that of a person and have no patience for it. Make no mistake: your grief over your late dog is valid. The issue is whether others respect that sentiment and if the concept of pet bereavement is … Read more

Last April, a distinctive black and white pooch named Lucy escaped her yard and found herself in the care of Leawood, Kansas Animal Control. This everyday incident set off a desperate legal battle that remains unresolved. Even though Lucy’s mom, Kristi Bond, rushed to pick her up the following day, a letter from the city of Leawood soon arrived. They had deemed Lucy a “dangerous animal” because she fit the “appearance and characteristics” of a Pit Bull. The Battle Begins … Read more

This month, the FBI finally got ahold of one of its 10 Most Wanted criminals. Drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero had been on the run from the U.S. government since 2013, when he got out of a Mexican prison on a technicality. Credit for the end of this decade-long hunt absolutely goes to a dog named Max, who works with the Mexican Marines. The 6-year-old hound is the one responsible for Quintero’s capture. Max Sniffs Out Crime According to authorities, … Read more

Traveling with dogs across countries and continents can be very complicated and difficult. No one ever expects that their dog will board a flight and not survive to see it land, though. This July of 2022, three dogs died in a two-week span while traveling on flights organized by the United States Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC). AMC has offered sincere apologies and promised to make changes in their transport processes, but the heartbroken families of these dogs want … Read more

A family from South Carolina had spent five worrisome weeks looking for their lost dog. Their sweet girl Legacy means so much to their entire family.   When they finally figured out that she had been found and taken to the local animal shelter, they were relieved to know she was safe and sound. But the shelter wasn’t willing to release her to them.  Legacy is a beautiful Bully breed who has been a beloved member of Autumn’s family for five … Read more

Rent costs have been rising steadily nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, making it increasingly difficult for hardworking families to live comfortably. With rent costs skyrocketing at such an alarming rate (up to 40% in popular cities like New York and Jacksonville), many are feeling the burdens of financial hardship and having to make choices they never thought they would face. Some are now struggling to the point of having to choose between keeping their beloved pets or keeping their homes. … Read more

David Guindon, a resident of San Bernardino, California suffered a heart attack and stroke, which left him disabled, bound to a wheelchair, and in need of a service animal. In 2014, he adopted and bonded with Zeus, a Husky who was professionally trained to handle tasks David needed assistance with. Two years ago, a nurse working in David’s home left a door unlocked, and Zeus wandered out of the house. David hadn’t seen his dog since then but had been … Read more

A new survey recently released by Yappy.com has revealed that it’s incredibly popular for young couples to make their canine companions part of their wedding ceremony.  While this wasn’t always so common, it makes sense why so many pet parents would want to include their precious pups as part of their “special day.” Our dogs are so much more than just pets; they’re beloved family members. Of course, you want to include those you love the most in your wedding. That’s … Read more

A dog now nicknamed “Aquaman” has survived a tragedy that no dog should have to face. Someone reportedly abandoned him by throwing him off a bridge and into the Harlem River in New York City. When someone saw him, he was paddling in the river, barely staying afloat. But luckily, many kind humans were on his side, including a Good Samaritan and several firefighters. Without the help of dog-loving humans, the struggling pup likely would’ve drowned. Instead, he’s preparing to … Read more

During a brief vacation in Glen Falls, New York, Sandra Miranda and her family dropped their Australian Shepherd Alfie off at GF-K9 daycare. Alfie was supposed to be at daycare for just a few hours on June 22nd while the family went on a steamboat ride since pets aren’t allowed. The purpose of a boarding facility like this is to give people comfort that their pups are being well-cared for while they are temporarily away. In this family’s upsetting case, … Read more

There are a number of events that can increase the odds of your dog getting lost. Fireworks, thunderstorms, and being involved in a car crash with your pup in tow top the list.  But fortunately for one lucky dog, she not only escaped being ejected from her family’s car relatively unscathed, but she also alerted a state trooper to the fact that her family was still in danger.  The accident occurred on a Sunday evening when a couple and their … Read more

***Warning: This post includes a video with foul language/profanity. *** A video shot at a Florida UPS store has gone viral after capturing an altercation between a customer and a delivery driver.  The UPS employee is an obvious animal lover who wasn’t shy about expressing his anger with the scene he witnessed on a scorching day. After seeing a man leave his canine in a hot car, he let him know exactly how he felt.  When interviewed, the videographer explained … Read more

Caution while walking alone is crucial, but sometimes, it’s difficult to find an injured person even if they have a way to call for help. Luckily, hiking with a loyal dog could end up saving your life. A 53-year-old man and his Border Collie named Saul were camping in the Tahoe National Forest in California. They spent their time in a secluded area in hopes of a peaceful trip. But when Saul’s human got hurt, there were no people around … Read more

Most of us are already aware of just how much a dog can enrich your life. Our canine companions can certainly improve our mental health, and it turns out they can also make our communities safer! A recent study from Ohio State University has discovered that neighborhoods with more dogs have lower crime rates. Some may assume that this just refers to homes with intimidating pups, but there’s much more to it. It appears that the simple presence of dogs … Read more

Not all dogs enjoy the chaos that is the dog park. It can be a fun adventure for many furry friends, but the thought of being around multiple dogs can be exhausting for others. Shy or reactive pups don’t often get to explore new surroundings for this reason, which is why Sniffspot created a platform that offers private parks for doggy introverts to rent! Many of us are familiar with the platform known as Airbnb. This app allows you to … Read more