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There seems to be no end to the things animal shelters can learn from online dating sites. First, it was that using a good picture means you're more likely to get picked. And now, many shelters are using a system called Meet Your Match, which was developed by the ASPCA. It's a program that matches up pets and the people looking to adopt them using a color-coded system that takes into account personalities, energy levels, and needs. More »
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Frances claims the cat died "after getting entangled in piles of [her mom's] Etsy fabrics, boxes of paperwork, trash and other possessions." The dog died after swallowing a pile of Courtney's pills. The restraining order that now keeps Courtney away from Frances also bars Courtney from any contact with Frances's dog, Uncle Fester. All this is in the new eBook, Courtney Comes Clean. Sigh, you know? If you ever claimed your mom was ruining your life when she really wasn't, call her and apologize. More »
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Photographer Richard Phibbs has once again leant his talents to the Humane Society of New York, taking snapshots adoptable animals so potential "forever homes" can see their possible "fur buddies" in the best possible light. Doesn't that phrase "forever home" just make you want to lose your shit? Anyway, here are a bunch of cute dogs and cats in scarves and necklaces. I'll be hovering over the Kleenex box. More »
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Everything about this is amazing: a Massachusetts man visited a local animal shelter on Friday "to report that his hamster population was out of control." According to the Boston Globe, he had started out with just two hamsters, but since hamsters breed like, uh, hamsters, that number increased exponentially, until he found himself with eighty. He apparently tried to separate them by sex to stop the population explosion, but that was difficult because it's hard to tell what sex a hamster is until it pops out baby hamsters. The hamsters soon outgrew the fish tanks he'd been keeping them in, and he had to use Tupperware containers, buckets, and an empty litter box. Finally — and this is the sad part of the story — the man couldn't afford to feed himself anymore due to the insatiable demands of his hamsters. He offered to take the hamsters to the shelter in a cab, since he didn't have a car, but shelter employees picked them up, thus sparing an innocent cab driver the shock of driving across town with eighty little animals in Tupperware containers. The hamsters are now up for adoption, except for twelve of them, who have already found homes. More »
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If you need proof that the Academy Awards are meaningless, here you go: There's a dog generating Oscar buzz this year. Uggie, an adorable nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier, steals the show in The Artist and now there's an online campaign to nominate him for an Oscar. Uggie's owner insists he's acting, but that seems doubtful since he can't grasp the concept of pretending to be someone else. According to Hollywood legend, in 1929 Rin Tin Tin was actually voted best actor, but the award was given to a human instead. So keep in mind that whoever wins the award this year might have been secretly beaten by a dog. More »
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If you grew up without a cat but have become convinced by numerous YouTube video that they're adorable and delightful creatures, you still may want to think twice before adopting one. As there is absolutely no facet of life that can't be turned into a health scare, experts are now warning that even adults with no known cat allergies may have a horrible reaction when they bring the pet into their home. More »
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Larry the cat was brought to 10 Downing Street to deal with a rodent problem, but Prime Minister David Cameron doesn't seem to appreciate his contributions. Though Cameron's children like the cat, he isn't allowed in the family's newly-refurbished residence. A spokesman says Larry has more freedom living in the office because the residence is locked during the day, but Labour MP Kerry McCarthy complained, "Poor Larry is being treated like some servant from Downton Abbey." However, unlike a servant, Larry won't suffer any consequences when he leaves a revenge barf in the middle of the carpet. More »
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After a year at the Dunn County Humane Society, a dog named L.L. Bean is being adopted by an employee of the company that supplies Americans with sensible outdoorsy fashions. Recently a Wisconsin TV station ran a story about the three-year-old, 80-pound coonhound and it wound up being circulated within the company. The shelter received four adoption applications from employees and now L.L. Bean has been matched with customer service representative Pam Burt. Employees also raised money to cover the dog's $800 transportation fees. We expect this heartwarming tale will lead to more shelter animals being named "Target," "Sears," and "Cheesecake Factory." More »
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While we fear that the existence of polydactyl cats is a sign that felines will one day develop the ability to put stupid videos of humans on the internet, one cat is putting his extra toes to good use. While most cats have 18 toes, Daniel, an orange-and-white tabby, has two more on each foot for a grand total of 26. While he's two toes short of a Guinness World Record, his unusual paws have made him the mascot for the Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center. When the shelter learned its rent would be doubling, it started asking for $26 donations, or $1 per toe. Now they've raised enough to relocate to a new building. The shelter's owner says Daniel is perfectly happy with his extra digits. "He runs and he plays and he climbs, he uses a scratching post. He seems to be not bothered by it at all," she says. More »
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On Monday Pusuke, a Shiba mix who took Guinness World Records' title for oldest dog last year, died in Sakura, Japan. He was 26 years and eight months old. His owner Yumiko Shinohara, said Pusuke had suddenly become ill and refused to eat. She added that she "would just like to thank him for staying alive so long." Sniffle. Okay, everybody go hug your pet now! More »
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Lynn Jones, a baggage handler at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, was fired from her job after she refused to load a severely abused dog onto a plane. Jones says the hunting dog was covered with sores and TSA agents couldn't get it to stand up to be X-rayed. "Everyone who saw it, the TSA people, the Airport Police officers, the girls at the ticket counter, was concerned," says Jones. "The dog was so weak and torn up. It didn't look like it could survive the flight." More »
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Last week about 40 male beagles raised in a European lab that conducted testing on animals arrived in Los Angeles to be prepared for adoption by Animal Rescue Media Education (ARME). The organization's Beagle Freedom Project says the breed is popular with labs due to their "friendly, docile, trusting, forgiving, people-pleasing personalities," and these 4 to 7-year-old dogs were kept in isolated cages from birth. This is the group's biggest rescue so far, but in case you're having trouble picturing the adorableness we're dealing with, check out the video of dogs ARME saved from a similar situation this summer. More »
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Jenny Brown of New York knew where to turn when her goat Albie had to have his leg amputated because she got a prosthetic leg after losing her leg to cancer as a child. Albie managed to escape a slaughterhouse, but due to injuries he sustained in the process he needed to have his front left leg amputated. He wasn't getting around well on three legs, so Brown called the doctor who made her prosthetic leg. "We did some research. There had been only one goat ever before in the U.S. that had got a prosthetic limb," she says. "I knew exactly how frustrated he [Albie] felt with a leg missing - as I had gone through it all myself. I was determined to help him." After several fittings, Albie now has a device that lets him walk and even run in comfort. Brown says, "We take it off at night for him to sleep - just like I do - and then in the day he has it on all the time. He's skipping around on his prosthetic leg and he couldn't be happier." More »
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You usually hear about couples waging epic battles for custody of their children when they split up, but more and more people are learning that they can also fight over custody of their pets. And why not since pets are often considered members of the family. Mo Rocca delved into the different arrangements people make with their former partners, and how it affects the pets. While he has fun with the topic, it can be a serious issue. Some couples, according to one divorce lawyer, have killed pets rather than share them. (Evil!) More »
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If you needed any more evidence that the Greek debt-crisis is threatening to throw the world into economic and social turmoil, here it is: British people have taken to puppy-killing.  Or puppy-maiming, but either way you look at it, this story represents the next phase in series of global disasters preceding 2012's much-ballyhooed end of days. More »
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When Sheree Gale moved from Berry Springs, Australia to Ungarra she brought her cat Jessie with her, but a few weeks later Jessie bolted. More than a year later, Gale's former neighbors spotted Jessie in her old haunts, 1,865 miles from her new home. "I can't explain it. She hates getting into cars, so I think she has walked," says Gale. Gale identified Jessie from pictures but let an old neighbor adopt her, since she seems pretty determined to stay in her first home. More »
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In addition to worrying that your kids are chowing down on razor blade-filled apples tonight, you need to be concerned about your dog dying from going through your Halloween candy. Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in an increasing number of candies, is toxic to dogs and other some other pets. If dogs eat even a single stick of gum containing xylitol, it could cause a drop in blood sugar that leads to weakness, loss of coordination, and seizures. As most people know, chocolate isn't good for dogs either, so the basic message here is that your pet doesn't need a bite of your candy on Halloween, or any other night. More »
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We know your dog would look super-cute as a slutty French maid — but we also know she's going to chew that dress off in about seven seconds flat. So here are some ideas for costumes your pet will actually be into. More »
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Good news and terrible news, pet owners. The good news is that even if your pet gets lost by an airline, there's a chance that it will be found alive, living in the ventilation ducts months later. The bad news is that once your pet gets found, it might be almost dead. And if your pet's never found, it might be because some asshole stole it and sold it to a lab. There is literally a petpocalypse happening right this minute. More »
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A Brooklyn woman's long internet campaign to find her runaway cat Sammie proved successful when the cat was spotted in a pack of strays. Karen Hansen says that even though she hadn't seen Sammie since last October, "I always felt he was alive, even though I had down days." Recently Terri Vanzo saw his picture online, and thought he looked like one of the strays she regularly feeds, who's blind in one eye. When Hansen got a call from Vanzo she tried not to get her hopes up, "But when I got out of the car, the first thing I said was, 'That's my cat. That's Sammie,'" she says, adding, "It was amazing. My face hurt from smiling." More »
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If you're looking for a nice place to settle down, try Nottingham, England because apparently the town has so few problems that it's cracking down on people who leave dog hair in parks. While brushing his dog on a blanket, Roy Wyre was approached by a community protection officer and later a cop, who accused him of impersonating an officer for wearing a high-visibility jacket. Then he was given a ticket for "litter, large amounts." As he points out, "You could brush Spencer all day and there wouldn't be more than a handful of hair. If there is a little bit of hair coming off, one of the birds will pick it up for a nest." Wyre fought the ticket, and today town officials dropped the $120 fine and apologized. More »
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Fans of Knut the Polar Bear lost it when they found out he was going to be stuffed and put on display, but some people feel taxidermy is the best way to remember a beloved pet. Today the New York Times profiled Amy Finkel, a documentary video teacher at Parsons School of Design who's working on a film about what people do with the remains of their late animal friends. More »
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Another cat has been reunited with its family years after running away from home. In 2005, a tabby named Sar Chi disappeared from his home in Wallingford, England. The Kirkwood family searched for him and put up missing cat photos, but he never turned up. Two weeks ago, Ian Kirkwood decided to finally adopt a new cat, but when he searched the website of the local animal shelter he saw a picture of a Sar Chi, who was going by the name "Mr. Darcy." Kirkwood says they're in the process of re-adopting Sar Chi, and added, "We have no idea what he has been doing for the past six years, but it is great to see him again. The boys were over the moon and couldn't wait to welcome him home." More »
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Does your dog not only think he's people, but think he's Bret Michaels? We have some good news, non-existent reader: PetSmart is launching a line of pet products specifically for you and your dog! The line will include dog beds, pet clothing, bowls, collars, and leashes designed by Bret. A company rep says, "Our pet parents have told us they want unique, high-quality products for their pets that are also fun and reflective of their personalities." Next we need a pet line from Paula Abdul for those who have a troublingly intimate relationship with their cat. More »
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We thought it only fair to introduce you to the world's shortest cat after featuring Stewie, the world's longest, yesterday. 2-year-old Fizz Girl is a munchkin cat who comes in at only 6 inches from the ground! If Fizzy's owner posts a photo of her hanging out with a wiener dog we might die of cute overload. More »
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Here's something to look out for when you're planning your next trip: Hotels across the country are keeping dogs on staff for guests to play with. Ten Fairmont Hotels have dogs that live in the hotels and are available for walks. At the Red Mountain Resort and Spa in Utah, there's a golden retriever who leads hikes with her trainer, or you can go on walks with puppies from a local shelter, with the option to bring the dog home if you hit it off. More »
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It turns out Willow, the cat who turned up in New York five years after she ran away from her home in Colorado, didn't make it across the country on her own. Many theorized that Willow was adopted by a new owner, as she was very healthy when she was found (and lacks the opposable thumbs necessary for hitchhiking). A reader sent this tip to Gothamist: More »
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Teresa Berg of Dallas, Texas is a professional pet photographer who specializes in glamour shots for shelter dogs. She believes that thousands of dogs are euthanized every year simply because the photos posted on adoption sites show them in a cage, looking like they're thinking about biting your three-year-old. Several years ago, she started volunteering to retake dogs' photos for a dachshund rescue group, and now she encourages other professional photographers to donate their services and teaches shelter employees to take more appealing pet photos. More »
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In 2006, a calico cat named Willow escaped from her home in Colorado when a contractor left a door open. Yesterday a man found her in New York City and took her to a shelter, where she was identified thanks to a microchip. Her owners Jamie and Chris Squires say they were "shocked and astounded" when they got a call that their cat had been found. "To be honest, there are tons of coyotes around here, and owls," said Jamie. "She was just a little thing, five and a half pounds. We put out the 'Lost Cat' posters and the Craigslist thing, but we actually thought she'd been eaten by coyotes." More »
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If you've been hoarding the hair your cat sheds, this video explains how you can turn it into a free toy. However, aside from this being the kitty equivalent of a Slackers-esque hair doll, Catsparella points out that this will only lead to more hairballs. Plus, you're going to need all that fur when the English version of Crafting With Cat Hair arrives in the mail. More »
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Seriously, I don't know what's more disturbing: the idea that pet owners would rather their furry little loved ones lay in a fake lap, or that my own dog might cuddle up to one of these and prefer it over my own crossed legs. More »
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Does your cat have an annoying habit of moving or running off to hide under the bed when you try to pose her for photographs? Clearly you need Walter Chandoha's book How To Photograph Your Cat. Just send in 25¢ and three labels from the now-defunct cat food brand Puss 'n Boots to learn the cat psychology tricks that will have you uploading videos to YouTube in no time. More »
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Nebraska inmates who volunteered at an animal shelter were recently allowed to adopt two cats, Sarge and Nemo. The cats live in the minimum security areas of the prison, and the staff says it's a win-win situation: The cats get a home and they bring out the inmates' softer side. Why cause trouble when you could be playing with two adorable kitties? More »
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There's nothing that isn't awesome about this video. From a soldier coming home after nine months, to an adorable pet, to the dog name "Emmitt Thunderpaws," it's all guaranteed to reduce you to a pile of "aww"s. More »
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Consider the source, but according to a UK pet insurance company, claims for dog and cat plastic surgery have gone up 25% in the last three years. Fortunately, most claims aren't for doggy tummy tucks — they're for eye-lifts and nose jobs to help animals see and breathe better. More »
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This week, a dog named Caesar will be reunited with his owners in Michigan more than a year after a New Mexico car accident that killed a dad and his daughter. Monica Benson survived the crash with four of her children, but the family's Maltese disappeared after the accident. This month Caesar turned up in an animal shelter and was identified by his microchip. "This has been the best news we have received in a year," said Benson. "Words can not describe how much this means." More »
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According to a totally objective study conducted by Whiskas, nine out of 10 cat owners say they wish they had their pets' laid-back lifestyle, and one in three believe an afternoon nap would make them more productive. Owners also report coveting their kitty's ability to clean his butt with his tongue, fondness for congealed meat scraps unfit for human consumption, and drastically shorter lifespan. More »
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Kat writes: "This is my sweet-if-slightly-curmudgeonly hedgehog, Elvis, wrapped in a t-shirt poncho, wearing a tiny sombrero. Es muy guapo, no?" ¡Si, si! Reminder: email me a (horizontal) picture of your pet and it could end up right here. More »
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