Pet Heath News Round Up, April 15, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 15, 2025

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‘Dog attacks have become a huge problem’

Dog attacks in Suffolk have surged by nearly 20% in 2024, with Ryan White of We Love Pets attributing the rise to a lack of owner education on responsible pet care. The call for mandatory owner training highlights the need for better understanding of dog needs and behavior to prevent these incidents and foster safer communities for both dogs and humans.

All ears: New study reveals dogs’ remarkable ability to listen to human speech

A recent study reveals that dogs can understand human speech, even when it is not specifically directed at them and is delivered in a monotone voice; they can recognize relevant content like their names within irrelevant speech, highlighting their potential for speech recognition. This insight into their cognitive abilities can enhance training methods for service dogs, although they show greater responsiveness when familiar words are paired with an enthusiastic tone.

Couple’s Save-the-Date Photos Featuring Pet Cat Go Viral: See the Adorable Pics

Rhea and Denzyl, a couple from India, decided to feature their beloved pet cat, Toffee, in their “Save-the-Date” wedding photos, capturing the hearts of fellow pet owners globally and highlighting the growing trend of including pets in significant life moments. The shoot, managed by photographer Prathima Pingali, emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting pets’ moods and personalities during photoshoots, underscoring the deep bond pets share with their families and the joy of capturing these genuine connections.

Green Meadows, a beloved petting farm, reopens in Kissimmee

Green Meadows Petting Farm has reopened in a new location in Kissimmee after a seven-year closure, offering children interactive experiences with animals such as alpacas, bunnies, cows, goats, and pigs on a 50-acre site at Lancaster Ranch Park. This revival not only fulfills a demand for more green space in the rapidly developing area but also allows families to enjoy affordable educational outings similar to those available before the farm’s 2018 closure due to land development pressures.

How many feral cats live on Oahu?

Efforts to address the large population of feral cats on Oahu are advancing with a proposed cat sanctuary by Popoki Place, aimed at safely housing these animals and protecting native wildlife, as the island hosts an estimated 196,227 to 265,179 feral cats. Additionally, pet owners are encouraged to participate in Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage initiatives to control the cat population and report any sick or dead birds to local authorities to help monitor health threats like bird flu.

Nebraska governor announces new program aimed at recruiting production animal veterinarians

Nebraska has launched the Rural Veterinarian Grant Program to address the shortage of production animal veterinarians, offering $150,000 grants to graduates who commit to serving rural areas for eight years, while also enhancing opportunities through the Elite 11 Veterinary Program. Pet owners in rural Nebraska may benefit from increased veterinary services for livestock, potentially improving animal health and agricultural productivity.