Latest news with #ShelterAnimalsCount
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman 'Crying' After Watching Footage of Moment Gran Finds Her Missing Cat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The moment 3-year-old tuxedo cat Minnie returned home after vanishing for several weeks has been caught on camera, melting hearts online. In a video captured on home-camera footage, Alice Agar from York, in the U.K., shared the moment her grandmother realized Minnie the cat was home. "Minnie's been missing since the day I left, even though people were visiting three times a day to look after her. She's just 3, a total diva of a tuxedo cat, and somehow she vanished," Agar, 22, told Newsweek. Agar's grandmother continued to come in everyday to feed her other cat, and hope that Minnie had returned home. But, after an anxious few weeks, the feline finally appeared home as if nothing had happened at all. In the clip, Minnie struts through the glass door, cool as ever, before giving a simple "meow" as if to say, "I'm back." Agar's grandmother, visibly delighted, turns to find Minnie behind her and immediately bends down to greet her. Pictures from the moment Minnie returned to the grandmother's home. Pictures from the moment Minnie returned to the grandmother's home. @alicinator3000/TikTok After seeing the moment on the security camera, Agar was inspired to share the moment on TikTok where she said: "Wasn't going to cry today but I got my grandma's reaction to finding my missing cat on camera." The video quickly gained thousands of views and, in the comments, people were delighted to see Minnie return home, and the grandmother's sweet reaction. "The fact she announced she was back," Ell said, while viewer el. 06xx added that it "was the cutest reaction ever." "NAWHHH she's returned, I'm so happy for u!" posted TikTok user anna. This isn't the first time a missing cat has returned, delighting owners and internet users. Shelter Animals Count says that, in 2024, 59 percent of dogs and 62 percent of cats that entered shelters were strays, which includes animals that were lost by owners. Pet Radar estimates that there are 710,000 stray animals reunited with their owners each year—but the results for cats aren't as promising. Around 620,000 dogs were reunited with owners compared to just 90,000 felines. Earlier this year, a pet owner shared how her cat returned after 10 years missing from her home in the U.K. Another feline went missing for five weeks when the owner heard a thump at the door, only to find the animal was back. Although she weighed half of her body weight, she was otherwise unharmed. Agar was delighted by the reaction from others on TikTok. "I'm a big cat fan and I like sharing my cats," she said. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Tears Over Face of Dog Alone in Shelter After Only Surviving Puppy Adopted
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A young dog has found herself waiting for a home after the only surviving puppy from her litter was adopted, leaving her alone in the kennel where she gave birth just weeks earlier. Lily, a two-year-old stray rescued in May, was already pregnant when she arrived at the Fulton County Animal Shelter in Georgia. On the day she was scheduled to be spayed, shelter staff discovered she was in active labor. Traci Fcas, a long-time shelter volunteer and fosterer, was at the vet clinic that day. She told Newsweek: "It is heartbreaking for a dog to be giving birth in a shelter. It's scary for them and a sad experience. The chance of infection or illness is higher than in a home. We pleaded for a foster for two days, none came." With no foster home available, Lily gave birth in her kennel where only one of her four puppies survived. A foster stepped in to save that lone pup who needed bottle feeding. But while her puppy found refuge, Lily has remained behind. A picture of Lily, who has been waiting for a happy ending since arriving at the shelter. A picture of Lily, who has been waiting for a happy ending since arriving at the shelter. Traci Fcas Volunteer/Facebook Despite her hardships, Lily is described as sweet and shy, her tail wagging gently for treats. At just 36 pounds, she's a petite girl who is looking for a quiet foster or adoptive home could be her first real chance at healing. "Lily didn't want to be a mom, she wasn't equipped for it," Fcas explained. "Her mental and physical state were so compromised from stress. She deserves a calm home to finally feel safe." Pictures shared on Facebook last month of Lily shared how her "eyes look sad", as she sits waiting in the kennel for her own happy ending. In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters. The team at Fulton County Animal Shelter are hopeful that someone will soon come forward for Lily, but so far she hasn't had a single inquiry since arriving. "A calmer house to let her settle in would be ideal," Fcas said. "A foster home or an adopter or a rescue to take her in is what she needs. The shelter allows fostering for those who live in Georgia, rescues can take her in, and adopters can adopt from out of state but must provide transport and trial adoptions for 30 days are allowed if in Georgia." Anyone interested in Lily should contact the Fulton County Animal Shelter directly for more information. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Foster Carer Can't Believe What 'Polite' Puppy Does a Month After Arriving
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 9-month-old Labrador retriever who is searching for a forever home has stunned the internet with his unexpected behavior during playtime. In a post on Instagram with over 1.3 million views, the dog named Mort Moreland was running through the living room in pursuit of a ball. His puppy excitement sent a rug askew—but then, something remarkable happened. Mort paused mid-play, nudged the rug back into place, and only then resumed his joyful dash. The unexpected moment of civility was captioned: "Did the foster puppy just... fix the rug?" While rescue Last Hope K9 added: "Mort is very polite and promises to help tidy up your home. This little lab is 8 months old, 27lbs, incredibly easy-going, and good with dogs, cats, and dog-savvy kids." "His foster was playing fetch with him indoors to burn off some energy when they caught the clip," Amanda Dunn of Last Hope K9 Rescue told Newsweek. "Mort just slid into the rug, stopped, and fixed it. It wasn't trained behavior—it was just Mort being Mort." Pictures of Mort the dog when he unexpectedly fixed the rug in his foster owner's home. Pictures of Mort the dog when he unexpectedly fixed the rug in his foster owner's home. @lasthopek9/Instagram Originally found in rural Arkansas, Mort was placed with a southern foster family before being transported to Massachusetts last month. In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters. Though little is known about his past, it's clear he's ready for a new chapter. Described as easygoing and affectionate, Mort thrives on both playtime and peaceful moments, embodying the Labrador spirit. "Mort would flourish in a home that enjoys daily walks and offers consistent structure," Dunn said. "He's been fostered with other dogs and cats, so he'd do great as a sibling, or as a solo star." Residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut can apply to adopt Mort, and perhaps witness his legendary rug-fixing etiquette firsthand. Last week, heartwarming footage of the moment a woman "knew" that her foster dog was destined to stay with her melted hearts. While another foster dog was caught on camera in the moment he finally felt safe enough to snooze on the couch. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Axios
30-06-2025
- Health
- Axios
CBD dog treats for fireworks anxiety: Vets urge caution
We're approaching the perennial problem — how to keep pets calm as the sounds of July 4th fireworks and revelry ring through their hyper-sensitive ears. Why it matters: Dog intakes and runaways are the highest around the Fourth of July, according to Shelter Animals Count, as animals perceive the loud, unpredictable crashes of fireworks as a threat and try to escape. By the numbers: Animal control officials across the U.S. see a 30%-60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4-6, according to PetAmberAlert, a national pet recovery system. Only 14% of lost pets are returned to their owners, the organization says. Zoom in: Chicago falls in line with the national trend, according to Armando Tejeda at Chicago Animal Care and Control. Reality check: In addition to fireworks, downtown Chicago dwellers will contend with loud, powerful race cars whizzing by for NASCAR, so maybe walk west or head to other neighborhoods for longer weekend strolls. The intrigue: One possible calming mechanism in recent years is CBD oils and chews. CBD is extracted from hemp, which has very low traces of THC. 83% of dogs showed a decrease in stress when given CBD ahead of a stressful event, according to a study from Cornell. Much like humans, side effects for animal CBD use include dry mouth and drowsiness. Yes, but: The American Veterinary Medical Association does not currently recommend CBD products as calming agents. "We still need more information regarding factors such as how CBD behaves in an animal's body, appropriate dosages, potential side effects and interactions with other medications," AVMA spokesperson Michael San Filippo tells Axios. "Compounding these concerns, studies have shown that many CBD products on the market are inaccurately labeled; some may contain little to no CBD or potentially harmful contaminants like THC." In addition to checking with your vet, look for organic CBD products as well as how much CBD is in the product and confirm there's no THC, the American Kennel Club recommends. State of play: ASPCA has several other tips to help keep your dog or cat calm this weekend. Perhaps obvious, but don't take them to the fireworks show. Leave them at home in a room without windows and play some soft music. An anxiety vest or snug shirt is like swaddling a baby; it makes your furry companion feel safe. If your veterinarian prescribes anti-anxiety meds, make sure to test them out a few days before to ensure your animal will react well. Don't leave alcohol within reach of them. Make sure your pet's tags and chips are up to date in case they get out of the backyard.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Puppy Ready To Meet Adopters but They Never Showed, Then Euthanasia Loomed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hearts have broken when a German Shepherd facing euthanasia was adopted, only for her new owners to never show up to collect her. Everyone was delighted when Flora, just 8 months old, was adopted. But after the shelter had arranged her spay appointment, the adoptive family never returned to collect her. "Her potential adopters completed the paperwork, and she stayed for her spay surgery. However, when it was time for pickup, they never came, and the shelter hasn't heard from them since. It's disheartening to see people change their minds when a dog's life hangs in the balance," Amanda Downes, from California-based Advocate 4 Paws who network dogs at high-risk shelters told Newsweek. Flora the German Shepherd who was left at the shelter after being adopted. Flora the German Shepherd who was left at the shelter after being adopted. @advocate4paws/Instagram Flora was found as a stray, and like many dogs in shelters across the U.S., was facing euthanasia. According to Shelter Animals Count, around 748,000 animals experienced non-live outcomes, including euthanasia, in 2024. While this represents a 1.6 per cent decrease compared to 2023 and a 20 per cent drop from 2019, the number remains high. Placed at Stanislaus Animal Services Agency, her future looked bleak. "Currently, dogs in the Stanislaus Shelter are given about a month before being placed on the euthanasia list. The shelter is severely over capacity, housing 330 dogs when it's only meant for 180, with more coming in daily," Downes explained. In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters. There has been a positive update in Flora's story: a rescue has stepped to take over her care. There has been a positive update in Flora's story: a rescue has stepped to take over her care. @advocate4paws/Instagram "She is a typical happy-go-lucky puppy who is all tail wags and gets along well with other dogs," Downes said. "She's an affectionate 8-month-old German Shepherd mix who enjoys attention from shelter volunteers and she just loves people. She's such a great puppy, I can't believe her adopters didn't come back for her." Thankfully, there has been a positive update in Flora's story: a rescue has stepped to take over her care, and Downes hopes that she will soon have a home to call her own. "We want Flora to never see the inside of a shelter again and pray that her forever home is on the horizon, she deserves it," she said. Despite Flora's happy ending, there are still many dogs in need, and Downes hopes that sharing their stories will help them find a rescue too, and encourage more people to adopt or foster. "We hope that her story, along with others we share, will highlight the shelter crisis and encourage more people to open their homes to foster dogs to help lighten the load," she said. Flora isn't the only dog having a tough time being adopted. Earlier this month a dog called Dexter gained viral attention after his shelter revealed he has been returned by adopters five times. While Duke the terrier mix gained sympathy after he was returned just one day after being adopted.
