• Water

Summer Increasingly Brings Toxic Algae to Freshwater Lakes in US – Watch Your Pets

• #climatechange
• blooms
• Cape Cod
• environment
• EWG
• pets
• science
• toxic algae

As the “dog days” of summer are here, so is the threat of toxic algae in lakes and ponds across the U.S., according to reports from news outlets nationwide.  The Boston Globe’s David Abel reported on how the 996 small lakes on Cape Cod that had provided a respite from saltwater are now warming so rapidly that they are being “transformed by climate change” that saps their oxygen, makes them dangerous for swimming by humans and pets, and harms wildlife.

Why This Matters:  Often these blooms occur because of runoff pollution, but in some locations on Cape Cod with little of that, the culprit seems to be climate change.

• Health

Waiting for Warmer Weather Is NOT an Adequate Response To Coronavirus

• April
• CDC
• Centers for Disease Control
• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• pets

The spread of coronavirus or COVID-19 in the U.S. is increasingly being predicted by medical and public health experts, but the advent of warmer weather cannot be counted on the stem the virus’ spread, as has been claimed by the President and some of his followers.  Experts in the medical community and at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have been clear that there is no clear consensus on what will happen once spring arrives, but it is not expected to entirely halt the virus, and in fact, studies have shown that in the humid tropics, similar viruses like the common flu can thrive at any time of the year.

• Animals

Animals Survive Dorian’s Wrath – With A Little Help

• animals
• Bahamas
• dolphins
• Hurricane Dorian
• Navy
• pets
• sea lions
• sea turtles

Hurricane Dorian’s ripple effects are still being felt – especially when it comes to the pets and wild animals that also found themselves in the path of the storm.  Our partners the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) are on the ground in the Bahamas and partnering with other key stakeholders helping to save the […]

• Animals

Pets Increasingly Getting Their Due Thanks To Millennials

• #BringYourDogToWorkDay
• Amazon
• animals
• Millennials
• pets

Millennials are much more likely to enjoy their job and want to stay if they are allowed to bring their pets to work, according to a recent survey by Nationwide Insurance.  And a millennial who sued the Meeker Housing Authority in Denver, Colorado for violating the federal rights of tenants with disabilities by charging a fee for companion animals recently agreed to settle his case against the authority for nearly $1 million.  Millennials are increasingly forcing a change in U.S. society’s attitudes toward pets.  

• Animals

Don’t kiss your hedgehog (and maybe reconsider adopting one)

• hedgehog
• pets
• salmonella
• wildlife

Hedgehogs have become popular pets thanks in large part to social media and videos of them taking baths and being otherwise adorable. Despite the fact that they’re nocturnal and not exactly playful, there may be another reason to reconsider a “hedgie” as a pet: they can spread salmonella to their owners. As the New York Times […]

• Animals

Feds AND Their Pets Need Food During the Shutdown

• cat
• dog
• furloughed
• Humane Society
• IFAW
• pets
• shutdown

The unending government shutdown is causing stress for federal workers and their families, including their pets.  Communities all over the country have been working to help fill this gap.  The #ChefsforFeds project of Chef Jose Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen is serving hot food to thousands of government workers daily at many locations in Washington, D.C. and around the country — already 40,000 in DC alone.  Here in D.C., WCK is partnering with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to provide pet food and necessary supplies for furloughed workers.