By Mallory Carra

While deployed in Kosovo in May 2024, U.S. Army Reserve physical therapy assistant Elvia Azuara saw many stray cats running around one of the bases—including a sweet little black and white female kitty, known mostly as Fent.

Azuara noticed her one day during lunch and she fed fries to Fent. Soon, this became a regular bonding activity for them. “I guess she knew my routine,” Azuara said in an interview with Stacker. “Whenever I was there, she would just pop up out of nowhere and she would wait for her fries.”

But four months later, in October, Azuara got word that her deployment was ending—and she was devastated to leave the kitty, especially as winter approached. And that’s where Paws of War’s “War Torn Pups & Cats” program stepped in.

Ollie profiled the work of the U.S. nonprofit, which reunites military personnel with the animals they bonded with while serving overseas. Founded by Robert Misseri in 2014, Paws of War has helped rescue over 5,000 dogs and cats for nearly 1,000 veterans. The organization filled an increasing need for officers in the Air Force, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and Army Reserves who served overseas, bonded with a dog or a cat, and didn’t want to leave them behind in an uncertain situation.

The organization serves a dual purpose by reuniting service members grappling with the aftermath of war with animals needing care. And for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, their furry companions not only bring joy but also help them heal.

“We have troops all over the world and the sacrifices that those people make is pretty great,” said Paws of War volunteer Gary Baumann, who volunteers with the “War Torn Pups & Cats” program. “We feel like asking them to leave these animals behind is a sacrifice they shouldn’t have to make,” he told Stacker.

High costs but high rewards

Azuara heard about the program from service members who had previously been deployed at the base. After she bonded with Fent, she submitted her application to bring the kitty home to the U.S.

“I was a little skeptical at the beginning, to be honest, because I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know why would they do it for free,'” she said, “but I don’t lose anything by just checking it out.”

The “War Torn Pups & Cats” program costs nothing for service members—donors primarily fund it. In 2023, Paws of War raised over $4 million from contributions and grants.

After a soldier like Azuara applies, Paws of War volunteers and staff members all around the world team up to work on the logistics, exploring how possible it is to bring the pet to the United States. Dogs and cats need to see a qualified veterinarian for documentation and rabies vaccines before traveling internationally, but sometimes that vet is located hours away. The care can also vary in cost, depending on local currency and pricing.

“Recently we had a dog in Africa and we’ve done a few from bases there,” Baumann said. “It literally takes a donkey cart, a boat, couple cars and then, usually a motorcycle, something that can go through a little bit of brush to get these the dogs or cats to the city where we can get them to a vet and start processing them.”

The most expensive part of the process is transporting animals to the U.S. It often involves flying them in a plane as cargo, which can cost around $4,000 or more. The pet also must enter the country at a government-authorized airport.

For instance, cats from other countries can enter the U.S. through several airports, but the CDC only allows dogs from high-risk rabies countries to enter through six, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Los Angeles International Airport.

Helping heroes

Paws of War accepts direct donations on its website to help support its programs, which include providing PTSD service dogs and a mobile veterinary clinic in Long Island, New York.

For the “War Torn” program, the expense is worth it for the organization, its soldiers, and the animals. Dogs and cats are believed to be capable of more complex emotions than most people realize and their reunions with the officers they bonded with may mean just as much to them as it does to the human.

For Azuara, the bond was as strong as ever. Three weeks after she put in her application, the program contacted her in November 2024 with good news: Fent was ready to travel to the U.S. and live with her.

The cat flew from Kosovo and entered the U.S. through JFK airport, eventually making it to Azuara’s home in Austin, Texas. Their reunion at the airport meant a lot to Azuara, who worried the kitty might forget her or not get along with her two dogs. But Fent—who Azuara renamed Frenzy—adjusted to her new home right away. Frenzy doesn’t get to eat fries anymore, but enjoys her proper cat food.

Now, Azuara is training to join the Travis County EMS. Having Frenzy, a major part of her overseas experience, in Texas has helped her readjust to the U.S.

“She’s definitely one of my huge grounding tools, when I was over there,” Azuara said. “When the situations were really stressful, she was something that would brighten up my day. And when I came back it’s really hard to transition and acclimate back into civilian life, but having her, it was kind of like having a little piece of where I was and a little reminder that, hey, it’s going to be okay.”

Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

The post Paws of War reunites military personnel with rescued animals appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University

When most people think about vaccines, they typically think about humans: Experts warn that when large numbers of people are unvaccinated, it can lead to severe consequences, including disease outbreaks and higher rates of illness and death, particularly among the most vulnerable. The economic costs to society can also be substantial.

However, vaccines also provide important protections for our nonhuman companions, including the most common pets: dogs and cats.

Yet, as my research published in 2024 in the American Journal of Veterinary Research and the journal Vaccine indicates, vaccine hesitancy is beginning to spill over into some people’s decisions about whether to vaccinate their pets.

Vaccines and pets

A large body of research has confirmed that U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines are safe for most people. Yet vaccines have never been universally accepted, dating back to the first inoculations against smallpox. Vaccine hesitancy, or concerns over getting vaccinated, has only intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing concerns about vaccines have important implications that go well beyond the individual making decisions about whether or not to get vaccinated.

Vaccines generally work through two important pathways. First, for the vaccinated individual, they provide direct protection by reducing the risk of contracting a disease; they also reduce the severity of a disease.

Vaccines also provide an indirect form of protection for society at large through a process commonly known as “herd immunity.” This occurs when a high percentage of people in a community have developed immunity, ensuring that future outbreaks affect fewer individuals and are quickly contained.

Humans, of course, are not the only species that benefits from the direct and indirect protections of vaccines. However, so far, very little research has examined vaccination in nonhumans.

My recent work specifically sought to extend scientific knowledge about dog and cat owners by using large, national surveys. Many of the findings were positive: The vast majority of cats and dogs have received core vaccines, which provide protection against rabies and other dangerous diseases. Core vaccines are those vaccines that are recommended for all dogs and cats.

Moreover, three-quarters of pet owners trust their veterinarian when it comes to vaccines. And even higher percentages felt confident discussing vaccine-related concerns with their veterinarian. They also understand that many vaccine-preventable pet diseases can be severe.

Pet owners also wanted their neighbors to vaccinate their pets: Most dog and cat owners, more than 80%, supported vaccination requirements for various core and noncore vaccines.

Yet, other findings raise concerns. Most prominently, my study, published in late 2024, identified 22% of dog owners and 26% of cat owners as vaccine hesitant regarding their pets. And although most pets were vaccinated against common diseases, a minority were not. This includes about 4% of dogs and 12% of cats that remained unvaccinated against rabies. For other diseases like parvovirus and distemper, vaccination rates were even lower. The study confirmed similar findings from my earlier 2023 study.

In the same 2024 study, many of the concerns raised by pet owners mirror those of humans: More than half of pet owners question the effectiveness of vaccines.

A similar percentage was concerned about vaccine safety and side effects. Many believed it was better for pets to contract a disease to get immunity than to get vaccinated. About 60% of pet owners thought that pets receive too many vaccines. Strikingly, nearly all pet owners preferred fewer vaccines to be administered to their pets at a time.

Going forward

When people choose to not vaccinate their pets, it can have important implications for society.

The most immediate impact will be on pet owners. Unvaccinated pets face a higher risk of illness and death from preventable diseases; although vaccines are not completely effective, and in some cases even vaccinated pets may be affected. This may impose substantial financial and emotional costs on their owners.

Veterinarians will also be affected. They may encounter pets with diseases they may not expect to see or have had limited exposure to in the past. The same holds for other professions dealing with pets, including groomers, boarders and walkers.

There are also broader implications for public health: Encounters with rabies, in particular, may become more common. Humans may be directly affected if they are bitten by an infected pet. Pets also come into contact with wildlife, increasing the potential for the further spread of rabies.

From a public health perspective, low vaccination rates for pets are just as concerning as those for humans. I believe that a comprehensive public health strategy is crucial for addressing the growing concerns among pet owners regarding vaccines. Such a strategy should not simply dismiss pet owners’ concerns as conspiracy theories, but should instead adopt a thoughtful approach that takes individuals’ specific concerns seriously.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University

Read more:

• Australia has a new autism strategy but questions remain for those who don’t get NDIS support
• How the presence of pets builds trust among people
• Everyday ethics: Is it OK to feed stray cats during the coronavirus crisis?

Simon F. Haeder does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

The post Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Abby Monteil

The winter holiday season is officially on the horizon. With it, the season promises cozy evenings spent with friends and family. Naturally, pets are a beloved part of their families, so, unsurprisingly, many cats and dogs are closely involved in these holiday celebrations.

But before families go all out with the decor, it’s worth taking a moment to consider safety. Many common holiday staples pose unique risks to the pets in your life. For instance, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that in 2021, it helped over 401,000 animals affected by accidental poisoning, electrocution, and other risks especially present this time of year.

Coupled with many pet parents being distracted by holiday entertaining or the chaos of preparing for family gatherings, accidentally exposing their pets to hazardous items can wreak potentially devastating effects.

Luckily, there are preventative measures that you can take to keep the cats and dogs in your life happy and healthy during the holidays, no matter how many hectic schedule changes come your way. To be extra prepared, save phone numbers for your veterinarian’s clinic, the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435), and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

To help keep your furry friends safe, Ollie compiled information from the ASPCA, FDA, and other accredited organizations on household hazards common to the holiday season and smart alternatives to keep your pets safe as you celebrate this year.

New Africa // Shutterstock

Tinsel, ribbon, and ornaments

As adorable as watching your pets play with holiday staples like ornaments, ribbons, and tinsel can be, they mustn’t ingest them. Chewing on these stringlike products can cause serious intestinal damage. If one end gets stuck, it can induce contractions that cause ribbons or tinsel to seriously damage pet intestines. Pets can quickly show symptoms, so look out for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, depression, pain in the belly, and fever.

Poggensee // Shutterstock

Plants toxic to dogs or cats

Numerous plants traditionally associated with the winter holidays are unfortunately poisonous to pets, particularly cats and dogs. This includes American holly, poinsettias, and lilies. Luckily, the widespread availability of faux plants in stores and online can help you achieve a seasonal botanical look without risking your pets’ health.

KristinaSh // Shutterstock

Alcohol-infused goodies, chocolate

Alcohol-infused sweets are doubly dangerous for pets. Alcohol toxicity is a common pet poisoning that can occur due to ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation. Although cats rarely eat enough chocolate to cause clinical symptoms because they do not have sweet taste buds, it contains two toxic components to dogs (caffeine and theobromine) that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, and in more severe cases, coma and death.

Bogdan Sonjachnyj // Shutterstock

Salt and yeast doughs

Keeping an eye on your cats and dogs during holiday baking is key. When ingested by pets, unbaked yeast dough can induce potentially dangerous bloating and painful gas. Baked goods with enough salt can also be easily mistaken for salty dog treats, causing your pets to ingest high levels of sodium, which can result in seizures or even death.

Senergic Works OU // Shutterstock

Electric lights, candles, and oil lamps

Although cozy lighting can set the perfect holiday mood, be careful that the ones in your home don’t harm your fur babies. Wires from electric lights can deliver potentially lethal electric shocks. At the same time, an unattended candle could be knocked over by a pet’s paw or tail, causing a fire or potential burns. Meanwhile, the essential oils present in many oil lamps are typically dangerous for cats and can cause gastrointestinal upset or central nervous system depression. To be safe, opt for 100% beeswax candles and use an air purifier.

David Mielke // Shutterstock

Medications

If you have loved ones visiting from out of town, remind them to keep medications out of sight and within reach of pets. Over-the-counter medications consistently rank among the top, if not the #1, pet toxin in the last few years, according to the ASPCA, with common medications like vitamins, ibuprofen, and supplements all posing a danger to your furry friends.

JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE/BELGA MAG/AFP // Getty Images

Vape devices and nicotine pouches

Nicotine patches and other tobacco products have the potential to cause severe vomiting, a decrease in blood pressure—and in extreme cases—death. Meanwhile, the amount of nicotine in the ASPCA reports that e-cigarette liquids used to recharge e-cigarettes and vapes have enough nicotine in them to kill a dog if its contents are ingested. To keep your pets safe, keep all of your tobacco products out of their reach.

Perfect Wave // Shutterstock

Table scraps

As tempting as it can be to give in to your pet when they’re begging to share your food, doing so can be deadly. Human food accounted for 16% of ASPCA’s poison control center calls last year. Foods often mistakenly ingested by pets include protein drinks and bars, xylitol gums, grapes, onions, and garlic. To stay safe, you can check the ASPCA’s complete list of hazardous foods beforehand.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Feature Image: Ross Helen // Shutterstock

The post Pet-proof the holidays: 8 seasonal hazards and pet-safe solutions appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

It’s late at night, and a stranger walking down an alley sees your family dog sleeping on the porch inside your fenced yard. The stranger softly calls the dog over and begins to pet him. While checking to see if anyone is watching, he opens the gate, clips a leash to your dog’s collar and leads him away, never to be seen again. The next morning, your family is distraught; when a neighbor’s video surveillance reveals that your dog was stolen, you feel deeply violated.

While the emotions described are implied, the circumstances are not: Reports suggest that dog thefts are on the rise in the U.S..

Losing a pet can be devastating, and it’s a crime that has repercussions that go far beyond the animal’s financial value. Many dog owners view their dogs as members of their family; a 2020 study found that the loss of a pet can have a similar emotional impact to the loss of a loved one.

As criminologists, we wanted to better understand dognapping and dognappers, while pointing to some ways pet owners can keep their four-legged friends out of harm’s way.

Working with criminal justice researcher J. Mitchell Miller, we studied 82 incidents of dog thefts captured on surveillance cameras and posted online.

Breaking down the footage

In the videos we analyzed, about half of thefts seemed to involve a single perpetrator operating alone. Around 38% appeared to involve two perpetrators, while 9% involved three or more people working together.

The thefts appeared to usually involve some planning and strategy. In our sample, nearly 38% of thieves used vehicles to transport the stolen pets, approximately 3% used bicycles, and 50% fled on foot. Three incidents involved the use of violence – such as shoving the owner – and around 15% of the thefts included some form of force, such as breaking into a property. In roughly 37% of the cases, the thieves were able to hide the animal using bags, clothing or other methods.

Thieves sometimes deployed distraction techniques. In one case, two thieves distracted a pet store clerk while the other snatched a puppy from a display kennel by the front door.

The vast majority of incidents – 74% – involved the theft of a single animal, and these were usually small dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, certain breeds, such as French bulldogs and Yorkshire terriers, make more attractive targets; they’re relatively small, and they tend to sell for higher prices than other breeds.

Interestingly, only a handful of dogs nipped or barked as they were being whisked away. Over half appeared calm during the incident, while around 33% acted friendly toward the thieves.

About 68% of the thefts happened during the day, and 60% occurred indoors; those that occurred inside tended to happen in pet stores, rather than people’s homes. When the dognappings happened outside, the dogs were usually snatched from people’s front yards, where the pets could be seen from the street.

Punishment that doesn’t fit the crime

There are several reasons why someone might steal a dog. Some people do it to simply make a quick buck – a practice known as pet flipping – or to extract a ransom from the owner.

Others have grander visions, targeting highly valued purebreeds, such as rottweilers and chow chows, to start a breeding operation. Then there are those who steal pets for dogfighting rings, while some thieves simply want a dog for themselves and don’t want to pay for one or go through the process of adoption.

Recent reports indicate that pet theft is on the rise. One clear indicator is an increase in the number of social media posts detailing lost or stolen pets.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this trend: The demand for pets exploded during lockdowns, and dog prices surged on the secondary market.

Compounding matters is a legal system that, in our view, often fails to adequately address the gravity of this crime. Many jurisdictions treat pet theft similarly to property theft. As a result, many pets – even some purebreds – could be valued at less than $1,000, which usually results in relatively lenient penalties.

A thief who comes onto your property and steals your dog and sells it to someone else would likely receive the same punishment as someone who took your bike.

Needless to say, viewing and valuing a dog no differently than other possessions overlooks the deep emotional attachment between pets and their owners.

Defensive measures

There are some preventive steps that dog owners and pet shop owners can take.

Many thefts happened where pets were easily accessible and visible to passersby, such as front yards or near the exit of pet stores. Something as simple as a higher fence could better protect dogs. Microchipping pets and using GPS collars can make stolen pets easier to recover and less attractive to thieves.

Of course, stricter laws and harsher penalties for pet theft could further deter criminals. While there is no database on the number of stolen pets, each pet that is kept safe means one less devastating loss for a family.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Ben Stickle, Middle Tennessee State University and Brenda Vose, University of North Florida

Read more:

• How cybercriminals turn paper checks stolen from mailboxes into bitcoin
• Bandits are losing interest in robbing banks, as some crimes no longer pay
• Porch piracy: Here’s what we learned after watching hours of YouTube videos showing packages being pilfered from homes

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Feature Image: Security footage of a young man whisking away a puppy from a New Jersey pet store in 2022. NJ.com/YouTube

The post Inside the dark world of dognapping appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

Your most loyal companion is probably sitting right next to you, with its cold nose and warm fur. Yes, we’re talking about your pet!

For us at Pettable, Love Your Pet Day is a big deal, and we must celebrate! For the third year in a row, we’re accepting applications for our Doggie Flicks Dream Job and looking for a pet-loving Chief Doggie Flicks Officer to watch and review 7 of our favorite dog movies—and earn $2,500 to do so.

See the full job description and apply here!

The ideal Chief Doggie Flicks Officer must be 18 years of age or older, a legal citizen or permanent resident of the United States, able to write a 1000 to 1500-word blog post, a pet films lover—and a pet lover, of course—and have an adequate place to fulfill their task. 

Applications are open now through March 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST.

Where to apply: fill out the application here.

The post Earn $2,500 by reviewing dog movies for Pettable’s Love Your Pet Day appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

CINCINNATI  –– Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic (“OAR”) announces that former Cincinnati City City Council President, Chris Seelbach, will be their new Executive Director. Named by the Humane Society of the United States of America the 2019 “Humane Legislator of the Year,” Seelbach has a long history championing animal rights. 

While serving on Council, Seelbach established the first ever “Animal Welfare” Task Force, repealed the City’s ban on pit bulls, passed legislation making it illegal to sell non-rescued cats and rabbits in commercial pet stores, enhanced penalties for tethering animals outside in extreme temperatures, and banned exotic animals from from traveling circuses. 

Said Seelbach, “This is an opportunity of a lifetime, combining a deep love and passion for animals with my unique ability to lead a growing and diverse community organization. The dedicated team at OAR are the best in the business. I look forward to telling their stories, building on successes, and making OAR the model for cat rescue in our country.”

“We are thrilled to have Chris join OAR. His education, experience, and unique perspective qualify him for this leadership role. His passion for animal welfare and vision for the future make him a perfect fit,” said George Jonson, Board President.

In addition to bringing on Seelbach as Executive Director, OAR announced the promotion of Blair Caviness as Chief Operating Officer. “Blair came to us with extensive animal welfare experience and has served as OAR Clinic Director for the last two years. As COO, Blair will use their extensive knowledge of our staff and operations to oversee the great work we do for area cats and their families,” remarked Liz Johnson, Board Member.

*Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to enrich the lives of cats and communities in Greater Cincinnati by providing low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter services for ferals, strays and pets; offering TNR (trap-neuter-return) and other outreach programs; and running a no-kill adoption center dedicated to finding loving homes.

OAR statistics from 2022:

11,427 spay and neuter surgeries

1,519 cats adopted

1,242 cats in foster homes

20 counties served

30 employees. 450 volunteers

The post Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic hires Chris Seelbach as new Executive Director appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Ray Anderson

media@cincycare.org

Cincinnati Animal CARE, Hamilton County’s Animal Shelter, will be hosting its inaugural Halloween Bazaar, Sunday, October 30, at the shelter’s new Pet Adoption Center in Pleasant Ridge. Adoptable dogs will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with their foster families and adoptable kittens will be joining the festivities for the “Kitten Witching Hour” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This family friendly event will include Trunk-or-Treating in the Adoption Center’s parking lot, games and prizes, and a Foster Dog Costume Contest.    

While not a second shelter, Cincinnati Animal CARE’s Pet Adoption Center is a smaller, boutique space to recreate the experience of a pet store, but for adoptable shelter animals rather than purchasing an animal. Cincinnati Animal CARE’s Pet Adoption Center is located at 3262 Highland Ave in Pleasant Ridge, inside the Lowe’s Shopping Center.

Media is invited to attend the event at any time during the festivities.

For more event details, visit CAC’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/622297172953430

Persons interested in fostering can sign up at: https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/get-involved/foster/

Call 513-541-7387 to contact Cincinnati Animal CARE.

The post Cincinnati Animal CARE to host Halloween Bazaar appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed by Cincinnati Animal CARE  

With 514 lost animals entering the shelter in the last 22 days, Cincinnati Animal CARE is currently housing more than double the amount of animals the shelter was built for and is dangerously overcrowded. Without immediate help from the community, the shelter will be forced to house multiple dogs per kennel, something that hasn’t been done in the Hamilton County Shelter since Cincinnati Animal CARE took over operations in August of 2020.

“This is the worst it’s ever been,” said Ray Anderson, Community Engagement Manager. “Every kennel is full, every backup kennel is full, the emergency backup kennels are full, and we’ve resorted to putting dogs in crates… but there’s no more room for crates either.”

Housing multiple animals per kennel was common practice in the days of the “dog pound,” but is not a safe solution for the animals or the humans who handle them. This problem can be solved with families retrieving their lost pets, adoptions, and new foster homes. “Our foster families are our lifeblood,” said Anderson. “We have a lot of college students who foster with us and are out of town now that classes are out. We desperately need new fosters to fill that void. You will literally save a life today. Fostering is free, temporary, we provide supplies and medical care, you provide a safe, loving home.”

Persons interested in fostering can sign up at: https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/get-involved/foster/

Families interested in adopting can browse adoptable dogs at: https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/adopt/available-dogs/

Call 513-541-7387 to contact Cincinnati Animal CARE.

The post Cincinnati Animal CARE dangerously over capacity appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .