Free Republic

A contentious budget resolution the Austin City Council passed last month has changed how city veterinarians spay pregnant cats and dogs, allowing the city to perform abortions without a waiting period. The resolution from Council Member Krista Laine replaced a 2019 rule that required the Austin Animal Center to hold visibly pregnant animals for two business days before conducting surgery to ensure rescue groups had time to pick them up. That hold-and-notify requirement no longer applies after the passage of Laine’s resolution on Aug. 13, meaning the decision of when to operate is left up to animal center veterinarians. “We...

Despite oodles of data on dog domestication, the exact origins of our feline friends have long remained fuzzy. We do know that pet cats retained many of their wild cat ancestors’ characteristics. This—perhaps not surprising many cat caretakers—makes pet cats technically “semidomesticated.” But scientists have squabbled over precisely where and when such changes came about. The feline timeline is especially tricky to pinpoint due to scarce archeological findings, along with the fact that the bones of wild cats and domesticated ones look quite similar. So far, researchers have encountered tantalizing clues, including depictions of cats as beloved, jewelry-wearing family members...

Most modern dog breeds have small amounts of wolf ancestry from long after dogs were domesticated, according to a new study. The wolf DNA isn't left over from when dogs and wolves diverged; instead, it most likely came from interbreeding in the past few thousand years. That wolfish influence may be linked to certain characteristics, such as size and personality traits, in different dog breeds, researchers reported Nov. 24 in the journal PNAS. "Dogs are our buddies, but apparently wolves have been a big part of shaping them into the companions we know and love today," study co-author Logan Kistler,...

Currently, there is no formal diagnosis for autism or ADHD in dogs, and vets group this behaviour under the broad umbrella of 'Canine Dysfunctional Behaviour' (CDB). Research has now shown that many different animals, including dogs, rats, mice, and primates, can have behavioural and genetic signs that would be diagnosed as neurodivergence in humans. However, diagnosing neurodivergence in dogs is extremely difficult. Signs your dog may be neurodivergent: Hypervigilance, Hyperfocus, Poor impulse control, Sensitivity to certain sounds, Lack of interest in people, Difficulty socialising. Dogs with autistic traits show lower levels of 'neural coupling', meaning that their brain activity doesn't...

KitKat, a nine-year-old feline, was well-known across San Francisco as the pet who 'patrolled' the Randa's Market corner store on 16th Street. The driverless vehicle had apparently stopped near the corner store before running the tabby cat over. Sheau-Wha Mou, a bartender at nearby Delirium, said: 'If it wasn't a Waymo - if it was a person driving a car - they could have stopped and helped.' San Francisco resident Jeff Klein was driving behind the Waymo, which he claimed was driving out of control. He told the Standard by email: 'Some folks on the sidewalk started yelling and grabbed...

In a surprise move aimed at easing everyday expenses and promoting well-being, Andalusia’s regional government has introduced two attractive and innovative tax deductions for anyone who has a pet or goes to a gym as part of its seventh package of fiscal reductions. Announced recently by regional President Juanma Moreno and Economy Minister Carolina España, the tax discounts offer deductions for veterinary costs, and gym membership fees, which will potentially benefit over a million residents and cost the regional budget around €48 million annually. The initiatives, which will take effect from January 1, 2026, and be applicable in the 2026...

Bearded dragons are famous for their ability to change sex depending on heat and genes. Two new genome projects have revealed the likely master gene, Amh, behind this switch — finally solving a reptile mystery that has baffled scientists for years. Credit: Shutterstock Scientists have finally cracked one of the strangest mysteries in reptile biology: how bearded dragons decide their sex. Breakthrough Genomes Reveal Bearded Dragon’s Secrets Two separate research teams have now released near-complete reference genomes of the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), a lizard species that ranges widely across central eastern Australia and is also a favorite pet...

Video at site.

The brutal seizure and execution of the world’s most famous squirrel threatens to cost the State of New York a staggering eight-figure settlement. Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, the grieving owners of P’Nut and his raccoon sidekick, Fred, are seeking $10 million in damages for the death of their pets at the hands of investigators, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in New York Court of Claims. A swarm of cops and agents from the state Environmental Conservation and Health departments descended on the couple’s upstate Pine City animal sanctuary Oct. 30, where the animals were living inside Longo and...

Hours after savoring that perfectly grilled steak on a beautiful summer evening, your body turns traitor, declaring war on the very meal you just enjoyed. You begin to feel excruciating itchiness, pain or even swelling that can escalate to the point of requiring emergency care. The culprit isn’t food poisoning – it’s the fallout from a tick bite you may have gotten months earlier and didn’t even notice. This delayed allergic reaction is called alpha-gal syndrome. While it’s commonly called the “red meat allergy,” that nickname is misleading, because alpha-gal syndrome can cause strong reactions to many products, beyond just...

Goldfish have long been a staple in American homes, providing both beauty and tranquility to countless fish tanks across the nation. With their vibrant colors and flowing fins, they have captured the hearts of many enthusiasts. In the USA, some goldfish varieties have become particularly beloved due to their unique characteristics and adaptability. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarium owner or a curious newcomer, understanding these popular goldfish types can enrich your fishkeeping experience. Let’s dive into the captivating world of goldfish and explore the 15 most popular varieties in the USA

MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — A rescue crew successfully extracted a dog that had fallen about 100 feet down a mine shaft in Arizona on Monday. The Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team reported getting a call at about 1:30 p.m. from a woman who had been out exploring a mining claim near Van Deeman Mine, located west of White Hills.The woman's 9-year-old dog, Hailey, had reportedly fallen down a mine shaft and was still showing signs of movement. A rescue team responded to the area and utilized a rope system to allow a crew member to rappel to...

I really don't know why I'm posting this. Perhaps it's just venting, or a lack of ears and a heavy sadness. Therapy, perhaps, or possibly a couple of beers. My bird - African Gray, "Puffer" - had an event tonight just before I arrived home. I noticed immediately that something was wrong when I opened the door: He greeted me whenever I entered the room - morning & night - and serenaded me when I was out of the room. Despite the species' intelligence & strong vocabulary, his go-to word was "Hello" and he used it smartly. It was oddly...

PC repair chap turned pet detective to diagnose the defectiveOn Call The unconditional love of a pet is often a solace, and perhaps never more so than at the end of a busy working week. Which is when The Register competes with the animal kingdom for your affection by delivering a new edition of On Call, our Friday column in which we share your stories of scratching out a living delivering tech support. This week, meet a reader we'll Regomize as "Walt" who fixes computers. "One day a client came in and complained that her laptop would not turn on."...

A Colorado city plans to seize residents' pet cats and dogs in a bid to limit the number of animals allowed in households. On August 1, pet owners in Northglenn - about 40 minutes outside of Denver - will not be allowed to have more than four cats, dogs, or a combination of the two 'totaling no more than four.' The new pet ordinance was recently approved by the city council 'at the request of residents and after extensive research and discussion,' the city said. The restriction was introduced after concerned residents complained of 'excessive noise and waste caused by...

Certain vaccinations are important for pets to protect them from several fatal diseases. However, while this process is important, pet owners should be careful to make sure they are not over-vaccinating their animal companions because this can lead to health issues. Over-vaccination in pets is when a pet is inoculated with the same vaccines multiple times. When this happens, it can result in adverse effects on your pet's health. This can be dangerous to some animals because they are vaccinated too frequently for their bodies to handle. Studies show that over-vaccination can cause hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. Over-vaccination is...

You may have heard that “in Springfield, they’re eating the dogs,” but did you know that in the Muslim world, they’re exterminating them — by the millions? In early January, it was reported that a whopping three million dogs were going to be killed in Morocco:

I'll be sending my almost 13y/o black lab to her final resting place tomorrow. Based on her health issues of late, I cannot watch her suffer anymore. I'm a grown man and am crying as I type this. They say it's easier the 2nd time....no it's not. The first time was just as heart wrenching. I love you Kacie.

On Sunday, February 9th, these puppies can't wait to show off their moves on the field for PUPPY BOWL XXI! Here's the 2025 full player line up from Team Ruff and Team Fluff. Plus, meet the sixteen Starting Line Up players competing for the title of "Most Pupular" in the Pupularity Playoffs. Will Team Ruff or Team Fluff win the Lombarky trophy? You can watch this feel-good sports competition on Sunday, February 9th at 2P ET/11A PT on Animal Planet.

Donald Trump Jr. and J.D. Vance discussed the internet-famous squirrel Peanut, killed by the New York State department of environmental conservation this week, during a rally Sunday in Sanford, North Carolina. The candidate Donald Trump has yet to comment on the martyrdom of the squirrel. "Justice for Peanut!" declared the younger Trump. "Our government will let in 16,000 rapists, 13,000 murderers, 600,000 criminals across our border, but if someone has a pet squirrel without a permit, they'll go in there and kill the squirrel." "They'll allow all that to happen, but if someone adopts a baby pet squirrel... That's the...