Welfare
Joybound reopens Concord thrift store with cat adoption lounge
Joybound’s revamped Concord thrift store now includes an interactive cat lounge designed to boost adoptions and support feline enrichment.
Welfare & ethics
Animal welfare legislation, shelter medicine, euthanasia policy, breeding regulations.
137 stories
Welfare
Leland residents seek ordinance after ultrasonic device alarms dogs
Neighbors in Leland want action after an ultrasonic deterrent reportedly caused dogs to refuse walks and show signs of distress.
Welfare
What a pet parent’s bond with a dog may reveal
New media coverage links dog attachment to human relationship patterns, with clear relevance for veterinary communication and care.
Welfare
London Zoo plans public-facing wildlife hospital after £20m gift
ZSL says a record anonymous donation will fund a new Wildlife Health Centre with clinical, research, and public viewing space.
Welfare
Saltwater aquarium shark care guide underscores expert-only needs
A PetMD guide says even the smallest saltwater aquarium sharks require expert care, large systems, and precise nutrition.
Welfare
Study links education, monitoring to lower abandonment in Maceió
A Brazil study suggests monitoring and school-based education may reduce companion animal abandonment during disaster relocation.
Welfare
Study maps brown bear incident hotspots in Yushu, China
A new study uses machine learning and remote sensing to pinpoint brown bear conflict risk in Qinghai’s Yushu Prefecture.
Welfare
Dog-and-human obstacle racing grows, raising new vet questions
Dog obstacle racing is gaining visibility, prompting more questions about canine fitness, safety, and sports readiness.
Welfare
Nationals’ team dog Natty debuts in service-dog partnership
Natty, the Nationals’ first team dog, will debut May 15 as part of a partnership with Canine Companions and Eukanuba.
Welfare
Vaseline may help dry dog paws, but vets still urge caution
Whole Dog Journal says petroleum jelly can be used on dogs in limited cases, with licking and aspiration risk as key cautions.
Welfare
The Dogist joins Good Dog gala honoring Jane Goodall legacy
Elias Weiss Friedman will present a 2026 Good Dog gala award to Jane Goodall Institute USA.
Welfare
Toronto airport spotlights rescue adoption with Dogs in Flight
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is hosting a rescue-dog photo exhibit that ends with a May 20 adoption event.
Welfare
Review links post-stun blood pressure spikes to welfare risk
A Veterinary Journal review suggests post-stun hypertension may help explain consciousness recovery in some sheep and cattle.
Welfare
Best Friends says Idaho, Montana have reached no-kill status
Best Friends declared Idaho and Montana no-kill states, citing statewide shelter save rates above 90%.
Welfare
ASPCA, Best Friends commit $14 million to LA shelter system
The joint investment will fund staffing and operational changes across Los Angeles Animal Services.
Welfare
EQUUS spotlights barn-dog bond in ‘Barn Stories’ episode 93
EQUUS’s latest Barn Stories episode centers on a mischievous dog, underscoring the cross-species bonds common in barn life.
Welfare
Paws of War reunites retired military dog Max with airman
Retired military working dog Max is set for a North Carolina reunion, spotlighting the care needs behind working-dog retirement.
Welfare
PetMD spotlights end-of-life warning signs in cats
A PetMD explainer highlights common signs of terminal decline in cats and points pet parents toward veterinary-guided hospice or euthanasia.
Welfare
Study finds food rewards can improve camel transport welfare
A new study found camels can be trained to self-load for transport using food rewards instead of physical punishment.
Welfare
Army nears deal for Virginia caisson horse training site
The Army is closing in on a deal for Middleburg Training Center, despite pushback from Virginia racing interests.
Welfare
Bay Area coalition plans free spay/neuter weekend across 7 counties
A 13-organization Bay Area effort aims to deliver free spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchips on May 16-17.
Welfare
Study suggests therapy dogs may ease dental visits for autistic kids
A French randomized trial found lower anxiety scores after dog-assisted dental visits for children with autism.
Welfare
Study explores participatory art in wildlife tourism research
A new Animals paper suggests participatory art could help reveal how visitors relate to wildlife, nature, and welfare.
Welfare
Study links microplastics to poorer welfare in goldfish
A new study found microplastic exposure reduced feeding, altered stress responses, and impaired growth in goldfish.
Welfare
ASPCA deploys disaster team to CNMI after Typhoon Sinlaku
ASPCA has deployed to the Northern Mariana Islands to support animal relief efforts after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Welfare
Cooling dog beds can help, but they’re not a heat-safety fix
Cooling beds may improve comfort for dogs in hot weather, but vets still need to stress hydration, shade, and supervision.
Welfare
Pig eye-fluid study points to new tool for welfare investigations
A new pig study suggests postmortem aqueous humor may help reconstruct pre-death biochemistry when serum samples aren't usable.
Welfare
Study suggests horses show distress after a companion’s death
New research suggests horses often show lasting behavior changes after losing an equine companion.
Welfare
Study tests essential oil blend in Lithuanian Blackface lambs
A new lamb study adds evidence on whether essential oil blends can lower methane without hurting performance or meat quality.
Welfare
New Jersey Lottery puts real dogs on scratch-off tickets
Eighteen dogs will appear on New Jersey Lottery’s new Jersey Dog scratch-offs, marking a first for the state’s ticket lineup.
Welfare
Petland Iowa City wins 2026 BBB ethics award
Petland Iowa City received a 2026 BBB ethics award, drawing attention to trust, sourcing, and veterinary follow-up.
Welfare
Philly dog bite reports fall, but aftermath still strains victims
Philadelphia dog bite reports are down from pandemic highs, but victims still face costs, confusion, and follow-up gaps.
Welfare
Animal abuse concerns gain sharper One Health focus
Veterinary Practice News says suspected abuse and hoarding can signal wider risks to animals, people, and the home environment.
Welfare
HABRI expands ‘The Real Reason for Pets’ into a national campaign
HABRI’s new campaign uses research and storytelling to highlight how pets support mental, social, and physical wellbeing.
Welfare
Halifax Humane bets a nickel on cat overpopulation control
Halifax Humane Society is offering male cat neuters for 5 cents through June 30 in a push to complete 900 surgeries.
Welfare
Betta care guidance highlights housing, diet, and welfare gaps
PetMD’s betta care overview underscores that husbandry, not just disease, drives many common fish health problems.
Welfare
Penn Vet launches Maggie’s Fund for emergency care access
A new Penn Vet fund aims to help pet parents afford emergency care at Ryan Veterinary Hospital.
Welfare
Alabama’s Beau’s Law nears finish line on dog tethering
Alabama’s Beau’s Law would set statewide standards for tethering dogs outdoors and clarify enforcement before the session deadline.
Welfare
Goodnewsforpets backs CWA human-animal bond award as contest opens
The 2026 CWA contest is open, with Goodnewsforpets again sponsoring its $500 human-animal bond award.
Welfare
PetMD guide underscores bigger, safer housing for pet rabbits
A new PetMD rabbit housing guide reinforces enclosure size, exercise, flooring, and cleaning as core preventive care.
Welfare
Environmental health gains ground in veterinary team wellbeing
NOMV and industry leaders are linking climate, pet health, and veterinary team wellbeing more directly.
Welfare
Horse fly-control advice shifts focus beyond sprays
Equine media are emphasizing integrated fly control, with sanitation and habitat management at the center.
Welfare
Study links food webs to intake risk at coastal nuclear plants
A new study says trophic interactions may improve forecasts of high-risk marine species near nuclear plant intakes.
Welfare
ASPCA, Best Friends launch $14M push to strengthen LA shelters
A new $14 million initiative aims to improve shelter care, foster capacity, and outcomes across LA Animal Services.
Welfare
Brooke USA launches Native American equine welfare initiative
Brooke USA says its new initiative will bring hoof care, veterinary services, and farrier training to Northern Plains reservations.
Welfare
Why stabling is drawing attention in Main Line steeplechase
Pre-race stabling is getting renewed focus as Main Line steeplechase events emphasize equine monitoring, welfare, and veterinary oversight.
Welfare
Why veterinarians are wary of the ‘teacup dog’ label
A Whole Dog Journal article spotlights why ‘teacup’ dogs raise health, breeding, and client-education concerns.
Welfare
VETgirl podcast spotlights medical error reporting in vet med
A new VETgirl podcast with Dr. Rochelle Low examines how error reporting can improve patient safety and workplace culture.
Welfare
Halifax Humane launches five-cent cat neuter campaign
Daytona Beach nonprofit aims to complete 900 male cat neuters by June 30 through a five-cent campaign.
Welfare
Seattle One Health clinic shows pets can open the door to care
A Seattle clinic found that veterinary visits helped young people experiencing homelessness accept medical care for themselves.
Welfare
Andy Roark challenges vet med’s idea of ‘high quality’ care
A new podcast argues that quality in veterinary medicine has to be defined alongside cost, access, and clinic realities.
Welfare
GivePet adds two holiday dog treats tied to shelter support
GivePet launched Santa’s Woofshop and Snowbound Hound, with each purchase linked to shelter treat donations.
Welfare
Beckie Mossor shares fire survival lessons with veterinary teams
A new podcast episode turns Beckie Mossor’s house fire into a stark lesson on pet-inclusive fire preparedness.
Welfare
Study examines how racing insiders frame horse welfare risk
A new EVJ study finds UK and Irish racing stakeholders share welfare concerns, but differ on risk, reform, and public accountability.
Welfare
Prison pilot links canine-assisted therapy to fewer inmate incidents
A pilot study found fewer inmate critical events while participating dogs maintained stable welfare profiles.
Welfare
Wild boar control review sharpens focus on ethics and disease risk
A new review examines which wild boar control methods work, and how welfare concerns should shape disease response.
Welfare
Correction sharpens citations in small ruminant LAI review
A Frontiers correction updates citations in a review of laparoscopic AI in small ruminants without changing its core conclusions.
Welfare
Frontiers corrects references in small-ruminant LAI review
A Frontiers correction updates citations in a 2025 review on laparoscopic AI in sheep and goats, without changing its main conclusions.
Welfare
Large dogs face longer shelter stays as adoption barriers persist
Hill’s says confidence gaps, cost concerns, and housing limits are slowing large-dog adoptions.
Welfare
New Hill’s report highlights barriers slowing large-dog adoption
Hill’s says confidence gaps, cost concerns, and housing restrictions are keeping large dogs in shelters longer.
Welfare
Why off-site uniform use is back in the infection control debate
A Vet Times commentary argues uniforms belong in practice, not in public, as clinics revisit infection control basics.
Welfare
Hill’s marks 16 million shelter pet adoptions in North America
Hill’s says its Food, Shelter & Love program has now supported 16 million shelter pet adoptions since 2002.
Welfare
NSAM gets $1M gift for federally authorized service animals monument
A $1 million donation gives new momentum to the planned National Service Animals Monument in Washington, DC.
Welfare
PetSmart Charities of Canada awards C$450K for adoption week
PetSmart Charities of Canada granted C$450,000 to shelters and rescues ahead of its March 23-29 National Adoption Week.
Welfare
Service animal monument effort gets $1M boost in Washington
A $1 million gift moves the federally authorized service animal monument closer to site selection and fundraising goals.
Welfare
Frontiers corrects small-ruminant LAI review citations
A Frontiers correction fixes citations in a small-ruminant LAI review without changing its core conclusions.
Welfare
Why off-site uniform use is back in focus for vet practices
A Vet Times commentary is renewing attention on uniforms as an overlooked part of veterinary infection control.
Welfare
Why uniform rules are becoming an infection control issue
Veterinary guidance is sharpening around uniforms, commuting, and infection control beyond the practice floor.
Welfare
Why veterinary uniform habits are getting fresh scrutiny
A Vet Times commentary argues uniforms belong in practice, not in shops, pubs, or hospitals.
Welfare
Why wearing uniforms outside practice is an infection-control risk
A renewed call from Vet Times says veterinary uniforms should stay on site, not travel to shops, pubs, or hospitals.
Welfare
Study suggests gentle human handling creates positive emotions in chicks
University of Bristol researchers found baby chicks preferred spaces linked to calm human touch and speech.
Welfare
Frontiers corrects citations in small ruminant LAI review
A new Frontiers correction fixes references in a 2025 review on laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep and goats.
Welfare
Honoring K-9 veterans puts focus on retired working dogs' care
National K-9 Veterans Day is highlighting the complex geriatric and palliative needs of retired military working dogs.
Welfare
Why off-duty uniforms are becoming an infection-control issue
A Vet Times commentary is reviving debate over whether veterinary uniforms should ever be worn outside practice.
Welfare
Why off-site uniform use is back under scrutiny in vet practice
A renewed push on uniforms highlights how everyday habits can strengthen, or weaken, infection control in practice.
Welfare
Why uniform habits matter for infection control in practice
A Vet Times commentary argues veterinary uniforms belong in the clinic, not in public, as part of stronger infection control.
Welfare
Why veterinary uniform policies matter beyond the clinic
A renewed debate over wearing uniforms in public is putting veterinary infection control and professional standards back in focus.
Welfare
Why veterinary uniforms shouldn't leave the practice
A Vet Times commentary renews the case for keeping clinical uniforms out of public spaces.
Welfare
Why off-site uniform use is still an infection-control weak point
A Vet Times piece argues uniforms should stay on practice premises as part of stronger infection control.
Welfare
Correction leaves goose welfare findings intact in Frontiers paper
A Frontiers correction updated affiliations only, while the underlying study still points to welfare benefits from fermentation bed farming in geese.
Welfare
Sheep studies tie hierarchy and welfare measures to flock outcomes
New research suggests social rank and animal-based welfare measures may shape sheep reproduction and flock health.
Welfare
Wild boar control review highlights efficacy-welfare tradeoffs
A new global review finds wild boar control methods often force tradeoffs between population impact, welfare, and disease management.
Welfare
UK advances major veterinary reforms tied to pet care costs
The UK is pursuing major veterinary reforms after regulators linked weak transparency to rising pet care costs.
Welfare
UK moves toward major veterinary reforms on pricing and transparency
The UK is advancing veterinary reforms that would tighten price transparency, cap prescription fees, and expand oversight of practices.
Welfare
Large dogs face longer shelter stays as adopter confidence lags
A new Hill’s report says cost, housing limits, and low confidence are keeping large dogs in shelters longer.
Welfare
New Hill’s report highlights the large-dog adoption gap
Hill’s says large dogs stay in shelters longer because of cost, confidence, and housing barriers.
Welfare
New report details why large dogs spend longer in shelters
Hill’s says confidence gaps, cost concerns, and housing barriers are slowing large-dog adoptions.
Welfare
UK pushes vet pricing transparency and broader sector reform
The UK finalized new veterinary market remedies and is weighing wider legal reforms aimed at transparency, oversight, and pet care costs.
Welfare
Study challenges behavior myths around popular doodle crossbreeds
RVC researchers found cockapoos, cavapoos, and labradoodles had more undesirable behaviors than at least one parent breed.
Welfare
Why more clinics may rethink pet parent restraint during dog exams
New research and risk guidance suggest client-assisted restraint can raise safety and liability concerns during canine exams.
Welfare
Why more clinics may stop letting pet parents hold dogs
New research and risk guidance highlight why client restraint during dog exams can raise safety and liability concerns.
Welfare
Managing mud and flooding on horse properties
The Horse outlines practical steps to reduce runoff, protect horses, and limit mud-related health risks.
Welfare
Cornell hackathon spotlights new ideas in diagnostics and sterilization
Cornell students won top hackathon honors for ideas targeting canine otitis, bovine tritrichomoniasis, and pet overpopulation.
Welfare
Older adults lean on pets, even as care costs squeeze budgets
A new Michigan poll finds pets give older adults purpose, but rising costs are making that bond harder to sustain.
Welfare
Older adults say pets give them purpose, but costs are rising
A new Michigan poll finds older pet parents value companionship deeply, even as budget strain climbs.
Welfare
Vet student Chloe Link builds a wildlife career across continents
A Vet Candy profile highlights Chloe Link’s five-continent path through wildlife, zoo, and conservation medicine before graduation.
Welfare
Older adults value pets more, even as cost strain rises
A new Michigan poll finds pets bring purpose to older adults, but rising costs are making care harder to afford.
Welfare
Texas A&M students win NMDP award after donor absence rule change
Two Texas A&M students were honored after helping secure excused absences for marrow and stem cell donors.
Welfare
Study suggests native chickens may need tailored stunning settings
New research suggests water-bath stunning parameters may need adjustment for Taiwanese red-feathered native chickens.
Welfare
Helping caregivers support aging pets at home
Mary Gardner, DVM, highlights low-cost mobility aids and caregiver support for senior pets.
Welfare
NOMV links environmental health to pet and veterinary team wellbeing
A new NOMV article says climate and environmental stressors are affecting both pets and the veterinary teams caring for them.
Welfare
Veterinary podcast spotlights injury reporting culture in clinics
A new Veterinary Viewfinder episode examines how clinics respond when staff are bitten, scratched, or exposed on the job.
Welfare
Study highlights injury burden and weak safety culture in vet practice
New UK research suggests workplace injuries are common, normalized, and often underreported in companion animal practice.
Welfare
Study links blue-depleted lighting to lower stress in shelter cats
Michigan State researchers found shelter cats had lower cortisol under dim, blue-depleted lighting than under standard bright light.
Welfare
Fear Free says trust with anxious pet parents starts with communication
Fear Free argues empathy, transparency, and team consistency can help clinics build trust with anxious pet parents.
Welfare
UF VETS spotlights storm drain rescue of 410-pound manatee
UF VETS helped rescue a trapped manatee in Brevard County, showing the value of veterinary technical rescue readiness.
Welfare
UF researchers test AI to support cat cruelty investigations
University of Florida says a new AI tool may help identify when human involvement is likely in a cat’s death.
Welfare
UF brings AI into forensic investigations of cat deaths
University of Florida researchers are using AI to help identify patterns in cat deaths that may point to animal cruelty.
Welfare
UF explores AI to identify suspicious cat deaths
UF researchers are developing an AI tool to help detect patterns that may point to human involvement in cat deaths.
Welfare
Why legal challenges to pets’ status are worrying veterinarians
A narrow New York ruling on emotional damages for a dog’s death is raising wider liability concerns in veterinary medicine.
Welfare
Why new pet-status cases are getting veterinarians’ attention
A narrow New York ruling on emotional distress after a dog’s death is raising wider concerns for veterinary liability and access to care.
Welfare
Why new pet-status lawsuits could matter to veterinary medicine
Two recent lawsuits are reviving debate over whether pets are property, family, or something in between.
Welfare
Courts test whether pets are property, family, or something between
Recent cases are challenging the property status of pets, with implications for custody, liability, and veterinary practice.
Welfare
Pet-property challenges put veterinary liability in focus
A narrow New York ruling revived debate over whether pets should remain property under civil law.
Welfare
Legal challenges test how courts view pets, and vets are watching
Recent New York and Michigan cases are sharpening debate over pets’ legal status and what that could mean for veterinary practice.
Welfare
Legal fights over pets’ status could ripple into vet med
A New York ruling and other legal challenges are reviving debate over whether pets are property, and what that could mean for veterinary practice.
Welfare
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald returns with a message on kindness and conservation
An AVMA podcast update spotlights Kevin Fitzgerald’s call for kindness, community connection, and conservation in veterinary medicine.
Welfare
Kevin Fitzgerald’s AVMA return spotlights kindness and community
On AVMA’s podcast, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald reflects on 43 years in practice, conservation, and the role of kindness in veterinary medicine.
Welfare
AVMA podcast update highlights Kevin Fitzgerald’s wider role
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald’s latest AVMA podcast appearance ties veterinary practice to kindness, community engagement, and conservation.
Welfare
AVMA podcast revisits Kevin Fitzgerald’s message on career purpose
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald returned to AVMA’s podcast with a message centered on kindness, community, conservation, and lifelong learning.
Welfare
Animal nonprofit CEO pay draws fresh scrutiny in 2025 roundup
A new ranking of animal nonprofit CEOs highlights seven-figure pay, governance questions, and why transparency still matters.
Welfare
Top-paid animal nonprofit CEOs renew scrutiny over charity pay
A new ranking of animal nonprofit CEO pay is reviving questions about transparency, governance, and donor trust.
Welfare
ASPCA donor thank-you message underscores 2025 welfare priorities
ASPCA’s 2025 thank-you messaging highlights donor-backed rescue, kitten care, disaster response, and poison-control work.
Welfare
ASPCA uses 2025 awards messaging to spotlight field impact
ASPCA's 2025 awards and donor messaging highlight major investments in rescue, shelter support, veterinary care, and disaster response.
Welfare
ASPCA year-end donor message spotlights rescue, kitten care
ASPCA’s 2025 thank-you campaign highlights rescue, disaster response, and kitten care backed by donor support.
Welfare
ASPCA donor campaign highlights 2025 rescue and veterinary support
ASPCA’s 2025 thank-you campaign spotlights donor-backed rescue, disaster relief, kitten care, and veterinary support.
Welfare
ASPCA donor update underscores shelter, kitten, and disaster focus
ASPCA’s 2025 donor thank-you campaign highlights rescue, kitten care, grants, and disaster response amid ongoing shelter strain.
Welfare
ASPCA’s 2025 Humane Awards highlight welfare partnerships
The ASPCA’s 2025 honorees reflect a wider push linking advocacy, cruelty response, and veterinary support.
Welfare
Low-stress care gains traction as a safety strategy for vet teams
A new JAVMA study links practice-wide low-stress care certification with fewer staff injuries in small animal clinics.
Welfare
ASPCA opens New York center for dogs rescued from cruelty
The new Pawling facility expands medical and behavioral care for dogs rescued from abuse and neglect.
Welfare
ASPCA opens Pawling center for canine abuse and neglect cases
The ASPCA’s new Pawling facility expands medical and behavioral care for dogs rescued from cruelty cases.
Welfare
Subaru renews ASPCA partnership for 2025 Share the Love
Subaru and the ASPCA are continuing their Share the Love campaign, extending a major funding stream for animal welfare work.
Welfare
Study links strip grazing to poorer welfare signals in ponies
A new EVJ study found ponies on track systems moved more and showed less agonistic behavior than on strip grazing.
Welfare
iCatConnect expands global education on unowned cat welfare
International Cat Care’s iCatConnect brings global experts together on practical solutions for unowned cats and shelter care.
Welfare
The Cat Group opposes breeding of Bully and Dwelf cats
A feline welfare coalition says Bully and Dwelf cats are being bred for deformities that cause pain and restrict normal behavior.
Welfare
Podcast revives debate over the costs of ‘gold standard’ care
Dr. Sara Pizano's Blunt Dissection appearance spotlights how gold-standard-only thinking can limit access to veterinary care.
Welfare
Marty Becker podcast revisits welfare-centered care in practice
A Blunt Dissection episode with Dr. Marty Becker highlights the lasting influence of Fear Free thinking on veterinary care.