Free Republic

A golden retriever boarding a BARK Air flight Traveling with a dog can be challenging, and one dog brand is helping to change that. BARK, known for their subscription BarkBoxes and dog products, announced on Thursday, April 11 that they’re launching a new travel service, BARK Air. In partnership with a charter jet company, BARK Air is designed to prioritize four-legged travelers, followed by their humans, so they can travel together comfortably and conveniently. At launch, routes will serve the New York City metro area via Westchester County Airport (HPN) with flights to the Los Angeles area via Van...

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news storyA young girl was rushed to hospital after she was bitten by an XL Bully in a horror attack at home. Police were called by the ambulance service at around 7.10pm on Saturday to a property in Falmouth, Cornwall. The unnamed youngster suffered "serious injuries" in the incident. A statement from Devon & Cornwall Police read: "Police were called by the ambulance service at around 7.10pm on Saturday 13 April to a property in Lowenek Close, Falmouth. It was reported a child had been bitten...

An Oklahoma family had no idea that a birthday gift for their nine-year-old son would lead to the birth of 50 octopus babies, numerous water tanks that took over half of a bathroom, and thousands of dollars on food supplies and water damage repairs. Cameron Clifford, a 36-year-old dentist, said his son Cal had been obsessed with octopuses since the age of three. 'Every birthday, every Christmas, every holiday, he would always say: 'All I want is an octopus,'' Clifford told the New York Times. In October, Clifford made a call to a local aquarium store and acquired a female...

A recent drone search for a missing husky in Kamchatka, Russia, took a surprising turn when the pet was found not alone, but playfully interacting with a group of wild brown bears. The undated footage, now going viral on social media, shows the husky trailing the bears and even circling them excitedly. While one bear attempts to nudge the dog away when it gets too close, the overall interaction appears non-threatening.

Doctors described a case of a rare infection called ocular pentastomiasis, which is caused by a parasite known to lay its eggs in snakes. A mass that had been growing in a woman's eye for two years turned out to be a parasite that sometimes passes from reptiles to humans, doctors say. The doctors flagged contaminated crocodile meat as a potential source of the rare infection, which may make it the first case of its kind in medical literature, they reported Thursday (April 11) in JAMA Ophthalmology. The report's authors diagnosed the woman with an infection called "ocular pentastomiasis," a...

9. Coachwhip — 8.5 feet A long snake with an unusual appearance is the coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum), which is named because it looks like a braided coachwhip. The nominotypical subspecies — the eastern coachwhip — typically has a black head and neck but their color gradually lightens to tan at their tail. They are also the longest subspecies and can reach 8.5 feet long. Coachwhips live in the southern region of the US and inhabit fields, prairies, and open forests. They are diurnal and prey on a variety of birds, rodents, and lizards. They are ambush predators but are not...

Native to the Southern US and China, alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) among the largest reptiles in the world. They look very similar to their cousins, crocodiles, which people often mistake them for. However, while crocodiles have a broad and short U-shaped snout, that of the crocodile is V-shaped and pointed. If you study them carefully, you’ll notice more differences. There are numerous exciting, unique facts to learn about this fascinating reptile. For example, did you know that alligators have two eyelids and are related to dinosaurs? We bet you didn’t. If you’re interested in learning more exciting information about alligators, there’s...

April 12 (UPI) -- The Florida Highway Patrol posted security camera footage showing a hungry bear attempting to break into a parked patrol car. The FHP's Troop F, based in the southwest part of the state, posted a video to Instagram showing the furry suspect who is "wanted" for "attempted burglary of [an] FHP state trooper car." The footage shows the bear, apparently on the hunt for snacks, approach the parked vehicle and attempt to use its mouth and paws to work the door handle. The attempted break-in by the bear, nicknamed "Teddy" by the FHP, was ultimately unsuccessful, as...

The 'Automated Treat Machine' at the South Broad Street store dispenses free treats when pups step on a motion-detecting pad. With innovations like "pup cups" at coffee shops and dog-friendly menus at restaurants, pets are becoming more and more integrated into daily human life. Now, dogs in Philly can even participate in the ever-thrilling activity of withdrawing from an ATM. TD Bank's South Philly location, at 2201 S. Broad St., has debuted a dog ATM — which stands for Automated Treat Machine because it dispenses free biscuits to furry friends.

Dogs who are tired of being stuffed in bags when flying with their owners — or worse, crated in a cargo hold — can breathe a sigh of relief today, as Bark is launching an airline for dogs.

Our ancestors may have kept foxes as pets long before domestic dogs came on the scene. Archaeological evidence suggests ancient human societies in South America revered foxes to such an extent that they were buried next to them. Scientists were surprised to find a fox buried in a human grave dating back 1,500 years in Patagonia, Argentina. They think the most likely explanation is that the fox was a highly valued companion or pet. DNA analysis shows the animal dined with prehistoric hunter gatherers and was part of the inner circle of the camp. A fox of the same species...

The city of Pacific Grove began an abatement effort to keep seagulls from public places within the city by using birds of prey. On Sunday, the city said they are using birds of prey to deter birds from "nesting on rooftops, rummaging through trash, littering, and leaving unwanted droppings." This is an effort to minimize inconveniences for locals and tourists, said the city on a social media post. The city says falconers will be on patrol with Harris Hawks and other birds of prey in the coming weeks. The city listed the following benefits for deterring seagulls from rooftops: Keeps...

The dramatic moment cops raced to save K9 Enzo who was stabbed in the line of duty by a violent murder suspect has been revealed in new bodycam footage. Three-year-old Belgian Malinois, Enzo, was stabbed multiple times by suspected murderer Thurman Lowe, 64, in downtown Las Vegas on March 29. The dog's Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department handler can be heard on bodycam reassuring him, 'you did so good, buddy. You're a good boy.' Enzo was rushed to a vets and then flown by helicopter to another hospital where he could receive more specialist care. He survived the attack and...

Earlier this year, Germany's environment ministry suggested there should be stricter limits on importing trophies from hunting animals. Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi told German media this would only impoverish people in his country. He said elephant numbers had exploded as a result of conservation efforts, and hunting helped keep them in check. Germans should "live together with the animals, in the way you are trying to tell us to", Mr Masisi told German newspaper Bild. Herds were causing damage to property, eating crops and trampling residents, Mr Masisi said. Germany is the EU's largest importer of African elephant trophies, and...

According to the CDC, human risk remains low.Last week, a Texas dairy farm worker who had “exposure to dairy cattle” was confirmed to have tested positive for a “highly pathogenic” strain of avian influenza — also referred to as A(H5N1). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the second-ever instance of H5N1 reported in the United States, although it is the first contracted from cattle. The previous case, which was reported in 2022, was of a Colorado inmate at a state correctional facility who was infected after processing infected birds while he was participating in...

April 5 (UPI) -- The dogs had their day at a Chinese mall when 100 huskies escaped from a pet cafe and ran loose through the shopping center. Workers at the cafe in Shenzhen, Guangdong, said someone left a door open, allowing 100 canines to run out into the shopping mall, surprising and delighting shoppers. Cafe employees said the dogs were excited because the business' owner was visiting the cafe after a prolonged absence. Workers ran out after the dogs and were able to round up the excited animals after a prolonged indoor chase. VIDEO AT LINK.....................

An 18-year-old Northern California man who survived a mountain lion attack that killed his older brother is expected to recover, authorities said Sunday. The 21-year-old's death on Saturday in a remote area northeast of Sacramento was the first fatal encounter with a cougar in the state in two decades. SNIP The surviving brother “has undergone multiple surgeries for his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery,” the sheriff's office said Sunday. “The family is grateful for the prayers and condolences from the community however wishes for privacy in order to process this tragic event."

Now, they need help in finding their forever homes.197 guinea pigs were rescued by a South Jersey animal control service Thursday afternoon after finding the animals living in unsuitable conditions at a property in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Bridgeton Animal Control was responding to an unrelated call when they discovered the guinea pigs living in these conditions in makeshift pins inside two sheds. After finding the guinea pigs, the animal control agency contacted the South Jersey Regional Animal shelter in Vineland to assist them with the animals. The floors and walls of the sheds were covered in layers of urine and...

Marie Lumb and her family's trip to a Llandudno beach took a surprising turnWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Coming across the odd crab, or stranded jellyfish is par for the course for a trip to the beach. It's not often you find an octopus in your path. But that's what happened to one family in Llandudno. On Thursday, April 4, Marie Lumb and her family, who are from the Malpas...

"I did feel a little strange putting snail mucin on my face, but I am now a true believer. The stuff is awesome!"Who would have thought – Skincare products made with slime from snails have become wildly popular, as they are said to reduce inflammation and signs of aging. What benefits do they have, and do they live up to the hype? Let's take a look! What is snail mucin? According to a Mayo Clinic press release, snail mucin is the mucus that snails secrete - yes, the slime snails leave behind when they move across a surface. They are...