With only 12 months in which to honor and celebrate various causes, some months feature more than one observance. For example, July is both Lost Pet Prevention Month and National… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 days ago
Kathryn Koehler is a writer at A-Z-Animals where her focus is on unusual animals, places, and events. Kat has over 20 years of experience as a professional writer and educator. She holds a master's degree from Vanderbilt University. When she is not writing for A-Z-Animals, Kat enjoys puttering in her garden, baking deliciously healthful treats for her family, and playing with her two rescue mutts, Popcorn and Scooter. She resides in Tennessee.
With only 12 months in which to honor and celebrate various causes, some months feature more than one observance. For example, July is both Lost Pet Prevention Month and National… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 days ago
It seems like most news in the world of conservation is negative, with species after species being red listed. But this month brings terrific news for the white-winged flufftail of… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 week ago
Even the thought of our beloved pets being alone and confused can evoke a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, and guilt. From open gates and doors to inadequate… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 week ago
Fireworks not only contribute to noise and air pollution but also pose significant risks to wildlife, pets, and people. The sudden, loud percussive explosions cause extreme stress and disorientation in… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 weeks ago
Unless mobility issues have plagued your pet, chances are you haven't thought about what the market has to offer in the way of orthotics and prosthetics for pets. Current data… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 weeks ago
While predator attacks on pets are rare, as humans continue to encroach on their habitats, these attacks are becoming more common. Wild animals like bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 month ago
"Bringing animals from crisis to care" is RedRover's tagline. While accurate, it doesn't fully capture the immense effort required or the dedication of the staff working behind the scenes to… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 month ago
Summertime presents unique challenges for pets and wildlife, especially poolside. While pools provide a welcome escape from the sweltering heat for humans, they can be hazardous to many nearby critters… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 month ago
Capybaras are experiencing a popularity explosion. Undeniably adorable with a reputation for being exceptionally laidback, it's not surprising that these semi-aquatic rodents have made a big splash with the public.… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 1 month ago
Unless you have a parrot, tortoise, or another unusually long-lived pet such as certain koi fish or reptiles, chances are you will outlive your pets. Pets are exemplars of unconditional… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
Animal lovers across time have memorialized their pets with tributes that express the emotional bonds between them and their true blue friends. Researchers are discovering what centuries of these pet… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
On the hottest summer days, when bees are busily foraging, staying hydrated is important but can prove challenging, especially in drier regions. Placing pollinator cups throughout your garden helps keep… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
Most of us would undoubtedly picture a monarch if asked to imagine a butterfly, recognized by their vivid orange wings veined with black and known for their incredibly long migration… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
Summertime has a lot of perks, from extra-long days to homegrown tomatoes. However, summer also brings pesky insects, including the dreaded mosquito. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet. Vector-borne diseases… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
My childhood home had a modest 10-gallon fish tank in the den, and all these years later, I still find the sound of bubbling water comforting. In the intervening years,… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
Habitat destruction, driven by human activity, is forcing wild animals to venture into areas that they would rather avoid. Frequently spotted in suburban neighborhoods and densely populated urban enclaves, these… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
The Guam kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus), last seen in the wild in 1988, is making a comeback. Thanks to years of dedication and the steadfast efforts of the Sihek Recovery Program… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
From the collar to the kibble, you've purchased all of the necessary accoutrements associated with bringing a new pet into your home. Or have you? In those initial starry-eyed moments,… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 2 months ago
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is present in 10 U.S. Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coast states*, inhabiting freshwater wetlands including marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps. Though alligators have a reputation… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
As the warming temps of late spring give way to the stifling heat of summer, it's more important than ever to keep your pets cool for comfort and safety. From… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
The cicadas are coming! The cicadas are coming! Brood XIV is scheduled to begin emerging in Tennessee any day, and whether you react to this news with cheers and fist… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
After a night spent delivering sweets and hiding eggs, your bunny rabbits deserve a treat themselves. Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the United States, living in 1.5… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
While May brings flowers, April showers bring muddy paws and musty fur. While it's tempting to skip the daily walk and other outdoor adventures because of that fact, there's nothing… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
It's increasingly difficult if not downright impossible to find a day of the year on which nothing is celebrated. From National Peanut Butter Lovers Day (March 1st) and National Cold… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
Because insects are generally small, humans tend to underestimate their intelligence. However, from their complex social structures to learning and memory, insects, especially ants and bees, are surprisingly astute. In… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
From their tiny bodies, long slender beaks, and iridescent feathers to their ability to hover and fly backward, hummingbirds are fascinating creatures. The hummingbird family Trochilidae consists of over 300… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 3 months ago
Spring is just around the corner, and arriving with the more pleasant weather are those most unpleasant pests: fleas and ticks. If you have pets, you'll want to protect them… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 months ago
If you are the proud owner of an aquarium full of fish, then you know that discovering a new accessory to add to the tank is always a pleasure. Whimsical,… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 months ago
As the female protagonist in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet declared, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And so it goes, as the Humane Society of… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 months ago
Back in the dark ages of the 20th century, my pal, Audrey, had an elderly dachshund named Memphis, and Memphis had become blind. He was also getting a bit stiff… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 4 months ago
Some folks are of the shop-til-ya-drop persuasion, while others (I'm raising my hand) would prefer to do just about anything but. I'm not big on shopping to begin with, and… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 5 months ago
From commercial crops to natural habitats, wild hogs are equal opportunity destroyers. These vicious animals also prey on native wildlife and livestock and are vectors of disease. According to the… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 5 months ago
As a long-time backyard birder, I can tell you that the only thing more certain than death and taxes is that squirrels will find a way to outsmart any squirrel-proof… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 5 months ago
Which came first: The chicken or the egg farmer? Though once upon a time chickens were relegated to the countryside, the urban backyard chicken enthusiast is becoming increasingly common. And… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 5 months ago
Though some dog breeds take naturally to the water, others will do whatever the can to avoid even a hint of moisture. Whether your dog leaps into the tub with… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 5 months ago
Key Points The Earth's polar regions are the harshest environments. Many animals call the polar regions home. The polar regions are the coldest places on Earth. During the summer, the… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to fete your feathered friends with a treat to let them know they are cherished members of your flock. Indoor fliers and outdoor flappers… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
Key Points The African elephant is presently the largest land animal on earth. The African elephant can weigh as much as 13,000 pounds. Elephant clans may contain several hundred members,… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
As every seasoned cat parent knows, cats sleep a lot. Chances are your furry feline is presently snoozing. Cats sleep so much that many new parents become concerned! However, in… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
If you have a cat, you may have noticed that cats don’t meow at each other. Instead, they meow at you. This is the reason feral cats do not meow… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
Cats are known for their playful and curious nature which sometimes includes biting. While biting is an instinct for felines, it can become problematic if it leads to injury or… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
Cats spend as much as 50% of their waking hours licking themselves. But why do cats lick themselves? Licking is instinctual in cats. Cats groom themselves by licking. A mother… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
What is the most dreaded holiday, and why is it Valentine's Day? In a few short weeks, you'll either be commiserating with your single friends or wiping your brow hoping… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
Cats are very expressive animals, which help cat owners pick up on their moods quickly. Understanding the language of their tails is quite helpful. Cats will regularly use their tails… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
The market is flooded with calming aids for cats and dogs, but what about our more exotic pets? Stress manifests differently in our scaled, finned, feathered, and little furry (think… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
I'm not sure who needs the calming aids more, my dog for the stress she's about to feel in any given seemingly stressful scenario, or me for my anticipatory anxiety… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 6 months ago
A friend referred to her toddlers as anchors: cute, squishy anchors, but anchors nonetheless. The same could be said of our pets — furry, feathered, and finned. We love them… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 7 months ago
Whether by plane, train, or automobile traveling with a pet can be daunting, requiring extra planning and lots of luck. Knowing your pet is safe during the holidays when nerves… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 7 months ago
As cherished members of the family and exemplars of unconditional love, our pets deserve the best that the holidays offer. The good news is that you can get your beloved… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 7 months ago
The year I was 9 years old, my mother opted for a Better Homes and Gardens tree. Precisely placed satin orbs of red, gold, and green replaced the handmade ornaments… Read More
By Kathryn Koehler 7 months ago