Jenna Bratcher
Author for A-Z Animals

When John Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892, he couldn’t have imagined the world we live in now — one where millions of acres of wildland are continuously under… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 days ago

When you hear “animal welfare auditor,” you might envision someone in a suit, clipboard in hand, giving pigs performance reviews. But Jacquelyn Babcock’s work is far more nuanced and impactful.… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 2 months ago

When most people think of veterinarians, they picture stethoscopes, wagging tails, and perhaps the occasional disgruntled cat. But Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn’s patients come in swarms. A veterinarian specializing in bee… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 2 months ago

In tough economic times, charities like Paws of War feel the squeeze while trying to carry out their life-changing missions. The nonprofit, dedicated to rescuing and reuniting military personnel with… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 3 months ago

Manatees might just be Florida’s unofficial mascot — the lumbering, lovable sea cows are some of the state’s most iconic residents. But these gentle giants face an uphill battle for… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

For some, talking to animals is the stuff of fairy tales, cartoons, or quirky movies starring Eddie Murphy. But for Val Heart, animal communication is a real and profound ability… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

If you picture a herpetologist as someone who exclusively wrangles snakes and whispers to lizards, Geoffrey Smith might surprise you. Yes, he’s unmistakably a reptile expert, but his scientific curiosity… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

If you think your family’s pet history is wild, wait until you meet Tanya Smith, founder of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, this sanctuary isn’t just… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

Will Harris doesn’t just talk the talk — he wrangles it, grazes it, and regenerates the soil beneath its hooves. A fourth-generation cattleman, Will tends the same land in Bluffton,… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

Some sanctuaries offer shelter; The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, offers rescued animals a place to reclaim their wild spirit. With more than 1,200 acres of land, it’s a… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

Dr. Craig Stanford is a leading primatologist whose research has transformed how we understand great apes and their world. As a professor of Biological Sciences and Anthropology at the University… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 4 months ago

Equine Advocates has become a sanctuary for horses in distress. Founded in 1996 by Susan Wagner, this nonprofit organization in Chatham, New York, is dedicated to rescuing equines from slaughter,… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

Amid the hills and history of Jamestown, Tennessee (Mark Twain’s parents lived there many moons ago), there’s a place where pigs rule the roost — well, technically, the pastures, mud… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

If you’re a backyard chicken owner (and even if you’re not), you’ve likely heard about Avian Influenza (AI). Commonly referred to as bird flu, it’s a highly contagious viral disease… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

No matter what language you speak, the word “sloth” means some variation of “lazy.” Not to mention, it’s one of the seven deadly sins. But what does that do for… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

Save the Chimps is an organization unlike any other. The world’s largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary, it’s home to over 200 rescued chimps on 150 acres (including five dedicated islands!)… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

The Gulf of Mexico’s waters are filled with marine life, from endangered sea turtles to majestic whales, but it’s no secret that threats like pollution and habitat destruction loom large.… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 5 months ago

Tucked into the landscape of South Salem, New York, the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a haven of hope and education for one of nature's most misunderstood predators. Founded in… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 6 months ago

Have you ever wondered whether your dog or cat experiences feelings of joy and sadness? How about whether or not wild animals love and grieve? Barbara J. King, an emerita… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 6 months ago

Both Asian and African elephant species are either endangered or critically endangered, with fewer than half a million of them left in the wild — a staggering and sobering statistic.… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 6 months ago

The bond between humans and animals often transcends logic, weaving together profound bonding moments that science simply cannot explain. From Jane Goodall's groundbreaking observations of Tanzanian chimpanzees to Dian Fossey's… Read More

By Jenna Bratcher 7 months ago