Bella Vista, AR, reported a 100% placement rate for dogs — the first time it did not put down any dogs — and 99% for cats. Dogs identified as “pit bulls” are welcome again in Commerce City, CO. Tuskegee University ends the practice of using live dogs for terminal training surgeries. A group of California sea lions surf during a day of enormous swells. Researchers subjected a mouse to pain in order to see if another mouse watching suffered, too, even though we already know that they do; an exercise in cruelty. Major Biden, the first shelter adopted dog to occupy the White House, was inaugurated. Candidates for New York City Mayor were asked to embrace legislation that will mandate a No Kill policy for municipal pounds. We celebrated dreaming cats and squirrel appreciation day. And, finally, our message is succeeding: more people are adopting and fewer people are shopping for pets.
In case you missed it:
- Arkansas is on the map! Bella Vista, AR, reported a 100% placement rate for dogs — the first time it did not put down any dogs — and 99% for cats. It is part of the most exclusive club in the movement — those placing 99% or more of the animals.
- Out of the shadows and into the sun. Joining Denver and Aurora which have recently done the same, dogs identified as “pit bulls” are welcome again in Commerce City, CO.
- Thousands of dogs have gone from a local pound to Tuskegee University to be used for training students on “live dogs before killing them…” No more. The director of the teaching hospital confirmed that, “The terminal labs have ended permanently. They will not resume.”
- A group of California sea lions surf during a day of enormous swells, proving that all animals are entitled to the “unalienable rights” of ife, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- Researchers subjected a mouse to pain in order to see if another mouse watching suffered, too. The answer, of course, was Yes. While Science magazine is hailing the study that “Mice feel for each other,” we already knew that. The study was nothing more than an exercise in cruelty.
- Major Biden, the first shelter adopted dog to occupy the White House, was inaugurated with dogs from across the country in attendance online.
- Candidates for New York City Mayor were asked to embrace legislation that will mandate a No Kill policy for municipal pounds.
- Some scientists are not convinced that cats dream. Here’s why they are wrong.
- We celebrated squirrel appreciation day.
And, finally, our message is succeeding: more people are adopting and fewer people are shopping for pets. “In 2008, 41% of dogs in the U.S. were purchased through breeders or at pet stores, while about a quarter were adopted, such as via animal shelters or rescues… By 2018, the latest year for which data is available, 28% of dogs were purchased and 36% adopted.” Of the $99 billion spent on animals last year, the amount spent to purchase animals continues to decline and is “the smallest area of total pet industry spend.”
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