FARMINGTON — Unk, Papi, Black Jack and Penny are recent Pets of the Week at the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Unk is a male cat, 4 to 6 years old, who is a little shy but has made a lot of progress in learning to be comfortable with people. Unk loves dogs and gets along […]
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A kitten nursery saves tiny lives in a city aiming to become ‘no kill’
LOS ANGELES — They are brought into shelters in crates, boxes and flower pots at this time of the year: Tiny, mewing kittens with eyes barely open, with pink, toothless mouths — and usually with no mother to nurse them. And here’s what it takes to keep them alive: people to hand-feed formula through a […]
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This vet wants to put your dog’s health record online. And get paid millions for it.
I was reading the Forbes list of the wealthiest, self-made women in the United States recently. One of them is Judy Faulkner, founder of a privately held software company, called Epic Systems, that keeps medical records on more than half of the American population. She is worth $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. Washington area veterinarian/entrepreneur […]
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Toy makers serve up creative political dolls for dogs
WILLISTON, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont pet-toy company with roots in Waterbury Center has been growing by leaps and bounds since starting up a year ago, thanks in large part to the previous experience of its owners, an emphasis on creativity and high quality products — and to President Donald Trump. “When Trump decided to […]
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What floppy-eared foxes taught us about how animals become tame
We humans have been domesticating animals for at least 10,000 years, and we’ve done so for a plethora of reasons. Pigs, cows and sheep give us food. Horses, yaks and water buffaloes provide transportation. Dogs and cats offer companionship and, sometimes, protection. Something strange has happened along the way: Many of our domesticates, especially the […]
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Foods that cats and dogs should never eat
Nutritious diets are essential to long-term pet health. Many well-intentioned pet owners feed their pets foods they believe are nutritious, only to learn that certain foods, even those deemed healthy for humans, can be quite dangerous to dogs and cats. Cats and dogs metabolize foods and other substances differently from humans. WebMD reports that each […]
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Pet vaccination side effects
Certain vaccinations for companion animals are recommended or required depending on where the pet will be living. Just like immunizations administered to humans, pet vaccinations are designed to help pets develop immunities to certain diseases. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation notes that vaccinations are often accompanied by mild side effects. But some pets might experience […]
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Healing a guide horse
Ann Edie, who has been blind since birth, pets her miniature guide horse Panda on a street near her home in suburban Albany, New York. Retired teacher Edie and her husband drained more than $30,000 from their retirement nest egg to get Panda a life-saving operation after she suffered a serious intestinal blockage. Horse lovers who follow […]
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13 quirky facts about companion animals
Think you know everything there is to know about your favorite furry, finned or feathered friend? Chances are there are some interesting facts that even the most ardent animal-lover may be surprised to learn. 1. Tough tongue: Cats’ tongues are covered with little structures called “filiform papillae,” which are like tiny hooks pointing toward the […]
Posted inMaine
You can now have a pet hedgehog in Maine; no permit needed
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife agrees with some Mechanic Falls students that hedgehogs would make fine pets. The agency added them to a list of allowable pets. State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, submitted a bill on behalf of Mechanic Falls sixth-graders who asked a legislative committee in February if the state could ease […]