As winter approaches, it’s essential to make sure our community cats have a warm, safe, and comfortable place to call home. These outdoor cats face the challenges of colder temperatures, wind, and snow, making it crucial that we provide them with shelter to weather the season. In this two-part series, we'll be sharing expert tips from Louise on how to create winter shelters and provide effective care during the colder months.

For years, there was no clear consensus on the best age to spay or neuter cats, leaving pet owners and veterinarians uncertain about the right timing. The Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization, backed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has now set a clear guideline: kittens should be spayed or neutered before they reach five months of age. This recommendation helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and offers significant health benefits, including reduced risk of certain cancers, infections, and behavioral issues such as spraying and roaming.

A heartbreaking case of animal cruelty in Akron, Ohio—Hazle, a beloved emotional support cat, was found frozen inside a pet carrier on Summit Lake. Authorities are investigating, and the community is seeking justice. Learn more about her story and how you can help.

In December 2024, the death of a fur farmer in Ashtabula County, Ohio, exposed a horrific animal welfare crisis at an unregulated fur and urine farm. Over 400 wild animals, including foxes, coyotes, and skunks, were found trapped in inhumane conditions, bred for fur and bodily waste, with no government oversight due to Ohio's inadequate laws.

Ohio has reported the highest number of recent bird flu cases among commercial poultry operations, with over 4.1 million chickens and turkeys affected this year. The majority of cases have occurred in Darke and Mercer counties, impacting large-scale poultry facilities.

With the 119th Congress underway and Donald Trump reentering the White House, AWI staff are hard at work advancing protections for animals within the United States and abroad.

As we establish our legislative, administrative, and legal priorities for the year ahead, we invite you to join us on Thursday, February 6, at 1 p.m. ET for a webinar to help set the stage for 2025 and beyond. During our hour together, AWI program staff will provide an overview of five key animal welfare laws in the United States, discuss our goals for the year, and outline how you can get involved, too.

Part of the classic image of deer often includes them munching on a twig, fallen fruit, or wandering a field. That question has to be posed: how readily available are food resources for them in the winter, and can we (humans) safely help supplement? Whether you designate a feeding station, scatter them in your yard, or grow your own, nuts are a great way to invite the local deer into your yard.

We have recently been made aware that pet owners are receiving scam calls regarding their lost pets. The scammer pretends to be a law enforcement agency and informs the owner that their pet has been found and taken to a shelter with a minor injury. They provide a police report number, explain that the shelter will be in contact and then follow up pretending to be the shelter stating that the pet is there and money must be paid over the phone to provide the necessary care and surgery of the lost pet.

Please, do not pay over the phone, call the shelter directly to see if this is true.

It's always big news when Ohio is mentioned nationally. This time around it's been big MEWS. Holly, a 12 year old feline, has been featured in Newsweek due to losing her home of 10 years when her owners fell ill. We want to make sure she stays on your radar and hopefully finds her way to a loving home.

As we witness the ongoing devastation caused by the California fires, our hearts are with those directly impacted and all who are feeling the weight of these events. Natural disasters and emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere. If and when these events occur, your animals will depend on you to keep them safe. The best way to do this is by being prepared. Here are some steps you can take to ensure the safety of both you and your animals during an emergency.

ATHENS, Ohio – Scott McCall, 54, of Nelsonville, Ohio was arrested on December 21, 2024, for a superseding indictment charging Cruelty to Companion Animals, a felony of the fifth degree and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree. McCall is accused of shooting a dog with a pellet gun, ultimately causing the death of the animal.  McCall is further accused of tying items to the animal and discarding of its remains in a pond in an attempt to conceal the death of the animal.

Megan Moon is the President of our Board of Directors at OAA. She has been working in nonprofit leadership roles since 2005, with a focus in animal protection and humane education. Most recently, she founded and served as the President of the Humane Education Coalition, a collaborative organization that provides resources and teaching tools for educators around the world who teach about animal protection, human rights, and environmental ethics. Megan has also been a board member, advisor, and/or committee member for several organizations globally, including Gem City Kitties, Voiceless, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, UnChained, Mini Acts for the Greater Good, and Human Rights Educators USA. In addition to her volunteer roles, Megan is a skilled nonprofit consultant who invests in and supports organizations for improved strategy, stronger leadership, and capacity building.