Top Stories

Owning Dog or Cat Could Preserve Some Brain Functions as We Age, Study Says
Source: The Guardian As the global population ages and dementia rates increase, a new study suggests that pets—particularly cats and dogs—may help slow cognitive decline. Researchers led by Adriana Rostekova at the University of Geneva analyzed 18 years of data from...

Vampire Bats’ Mutual Grooming Helps Spread Innovative Rabies Vaccine
Source: science.org Scientists have developed a novel method to vaccinate vampire bats against rabies using their natural grooming behavior. In a recent study, researchers applied an oral rabies vaccine in a gel form to the fur of 24 bats in a Mexican colony. Within...

Dog Dies of Heat Stroke After Riding With Owners in Air-Conditioned SUV
Source: CBS News A tragic incident in Ohio highlights the dangers of heat stroke in pets, even in air-conditioned vehicles. Bruno, a four-year-old Newfoundland, died after riding in the backseat of an SUV with the AC on and windows cracked during extreme heat. Dr....

‘Pawsome’ News: Utah State Weeks Away From Launching State’s 1st 4-year ‘Animal Doc’ Program
Source: KSL.com Utah State University (USU) is launching the state’s first four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program in August 2025, addressing a statewide shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural and agricultural areas. The inaugural class includes...

As Texas Flood Waters Recede, Efforts to Rescue Pets Intensify
Source: USA Today In the aftermath of devastating floods in Texas Hill Country beginning July 4, Austin Pets Alive! has stepped in to rescue and care for animals displaced by the disaster. The shelter has taken in over 230 pets from flood-impacted shelters and is...

Colorado Brings Significant Changes to Noncompete Agreements with Healthcare Providers and Minority-Interest Business Owners
Source: Littler Colorado’s Senate Bill 25-083, effective August 6, 2025, significantly limits the enforceability of noncompete and nonsolicit agreements for healthcare providers and minority business owners. The bill amends C.R.S. § 8-2-113 to eliminate exceptions...

Costumed Canines, Exotic Pets Mingle at Wag N Walk
Source: Turlock Journal Sterling Ranch Park in Denair hosted the lively Walk ‘N Wag event on Sunday, drawing crowds with costumed dogs and exotic pets. Organized by the Community Veterinary Clinic, Denair Vendors in the Park, and Friends of Turlock Animal Shelter, the...

Inside the Creepy, Surprisingly Routine Business of Animal Cloning
Source: The Atlantic Ty Lawrence, an animal-science professor, became fascinated with exceptional beef carcasses he encountered at slaughterhouses—animals with unusually fat-marbled meat in prime cuts. He realized the potential to clone these outliers and, after...

Edmonton Veterinarian Seeing More Foxtail Grass-Related Visits in The Summer
Source: CityNews Everywhere Foxtail grass, a summertime hazard for dogs, is a growing concern for pet owners in Edmonton, especially around dog parks and ravines. The grass’s sharp barbs can latch onto a dog’s fur and burrow into their skin or mucous membranes,...

Man Accused of Doing Surgeries on Animals in Phoenix Garage; 16 Dogs Rescued
Source: AZ Central Edgar Glover, 37, was arrested in Phoenix on June 24 for allegedly performing unlicensed animal surgeries, including ear cropping and tail docking, in his garage. Authorities were alerted after The Good Vets animal hospital reported a dog with...

Alaska Brown Bear at Minnesota Zoo Gets a New Metal Canine Tooth
Source: AP News Tundra, an 800-pound Alaska brown bear at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota, has become the first bear to receive a custom-fitted titanium alloy dental crown. The hour-long procedure, performed under sedation, was carried out by Dr. Grace...

Why Companies Are Doubling Down On a Pet-Related Job Perk
Source: The Business Journals Employers are increasingly offering pet-related benefits, particularly pet insurance, to attract and retain younger workers—especially Gen Z. Since 2022, job postings that include pet insurance have risen significantly, with an 18%...

Novel Milking Speed Trait Is Highly Heritable
Source: Hoard's Dairyman A new “milking speed” trait (MSPD) will be introduced in the August 2025 genetic evaluations for Holsteins, offering dairy producers a way to improve milking efficiency through selective breeding. Developed by the Council on Dairy Cattle...

Popular Sugar Substitute Found in Gum, Baked Goods Nearly Kills Oregon Dog
Source: Koin 06 Afi, a six-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix, is recovering after ingesting a potentially lethal amount of xylitol, a sugar substitute commonly found in gum, baked goods, and other household items. Afi consumed approximately 35 pieces of...

New Research Focuses On Preventing GI Disease Before It Happens
Source: AAHA Researchers at Texas A&M’s Gastrointestinal Laboratory have identified biomarkers that may predict gastrointestinal (GI) disease in dogs before symptoms appear. Focusing on Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers—prone to protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)—the...

Can Aggression in Golden Retrievers Be Linked to Food?
Source: AAHA Golden retrievers are widely seen as gentle and friendly dogs, but like any breed, they can exhibit aggression. Since behavioral issues like aggression often lead to pet relinquishment, researchers at the University of California-Davis and the Morris...

FDA Issues Warning Letters To Companies Selling Unapproved CBD Products
Source: AVMA The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to three companies—Bailey’s Wellness, Holista, and House of Alchemy—for marketing unapproved cannabidiol (CBD) products for pets. These products, including oils, chews, and pellets,...

Brooklyn Judge Rules Pet Dogs are Family Members
Source: Gothamist A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge, Aaron Maslow, has ruled that dogs can be legally recognized as “immediate family” in specific wrongful-death cases. The decision stemmed from a 2023 incident where Duke, a four-year-old dachshund, was struck and killed...

What Animal Has The Best Eyesight?
Source: Livescience Animal vision varies widely, with different species excelling in different visual abilities tailored to their needs. Birds of prey like hawks and eagles possess the most detailed vision, seeing three to five times more clearly than humans thanks...

Some Dogs Have a Higher Risk of Digestive Problems like Diarrhea
Source: Earth.com A new study analyzing over 2.2 million UK vet records finds that acute diarrhea affects about 1 in 12 dogs annually. Led by Dan O’Neill of the Royal Veterinary College, the research identifies high-risk breeds, symptoms, and common treatments....

Rabies Death Sparks ‘Jump in Vaccine Inquiries’
Source: BBC The death of Yvonne Ford, a 59-year-old British woman, from rabies after a minor scratch from a puppy in Morocco has sparked increased concern among UK travelers. Pharmacist Olamide Olokanmi reported a surge in inquiries and demand for the rabies vaccine...

In Stressful Times, Our Anxiety Can Rub Off On Pets. Causes and Cures for Pet Anxiety
Source: AP News As anxiety rises among humans, our pets may also be experiencing increased stress. Experts like Veterinary nurse Frankie Jackson and veterinarian Dr. Becky Peters highlight a feedback loop where pets mirror their owners’ emotional states....

Pet Hospital Without Power for Days After a Thief Steals Breaker Box
Source: CBS 8 A theft at B Street Veterinary Hospital in San Diego has left the clinic without power, causing major disruptions and financial losses. Late Saturday night, a thief stole the hospital’s breaker box, an act captured on surveillance footage. The loss of...

California Condor Population Takes Flight with Los Angeles Zoo Hatchings
Source: KTLA 5 Optimism is high within the California Condor Recovery Program (CCRP) after the Los Angeles Zoo announced the successful hatching of 10 California condor chicks during the 2025 breeding season. All chicks are healthy and thriving, marking a significant...

How a Common Brain Parasite Disrupts Neural Communication
Source: University of California, Riverside A study by scientists at the University of California, Riverside reveals how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii can disrupt brain function, even when infecting only a small number of neurons. Published in PLoS Pathogens, the...