In a heartbreaking case that has shaken animal lovers and advocates across Ohio, a man in Summit County has been arrested after allegedly cutting off the tails of three newborn kittens. The suspect, 57-year-old Bret Stalnaker, is now facing a felony charge of animal cruelty.

The heartbreaking story of “Peanut the Squirrel,” an Instagram-famous rescue squirrel, is sparking change in New York state law. Known for his charming personality and social media stardom, Peanut captured the hearts of thousands—but his unexpected death in 2024 has now ignited a movement to better protect animals in similar situations.

What happens to primates after their lives in research labs, roadside zoos, or private homes come to an end? For many, the future is uncertain. But in Perry County, Ohio, a new future is being built — one that promises safety, healing, and a second chance.

Tessa Wilde founded For the Love of Primates in 2019 with a bold and compassionate mission: to create and support a sanctuary for primates retired from research, used in the entertainment industry, or previously kept as “pets.” The organization is grounded in the belief that, after spending their lives in human environments, these animals deserve a future filled with peace, safety, and compassionate care.

Nonhuman primates used in research at state facilities in Virginia had only one option after their time in the lab was over: euthanasia. Thanks to a new bill passed by the Virginia Senate, that may finally change. On February 4, 2025, the Senate approved SB 907, a bill that paves the way for retired research primates to live out the rest of their lives in sanctuaries rather than being euthanized.

The Loyalty Inn, a hotel on the city’s Southeast Side, was abruptly shuttered after years of safety violations, crime concerns, and city scrutiny. For the group of homeless individuals who had been temporarily housed there with support from the Community Shelter Board, it was the second time in just a few months they were uprooted—first from encampments the city cleared in December, and now from the only shelter that allowed them to stay with their animals.

By now, many in the Gahanna, Ohio community have heard the heartbreaking news: several outdoor cats were poisoned last summer—and again in December—with necropsy results confirming the presence of both rat poison and antifreeze in at least one cat's system. But despite these findings, no charges have been filed.

For years, Steffen Baldwin was seen as a hero in the animal rescue world—a self-proclaimed “dog whisperer” who claimed to rehabilitate the unadoptable, the aggressive, and the misunderstood. He built a public persona based on compassion, gaining the trust of shelters, rescue groups, and dog lovers across the country. But behind the carefully curated image was a deeply disturbing truth: Baldwin was not saving dogs. He was killing them.

The city of Campbell, Ohio, is making it clear: illegal and unethical animal breeding will no longer be tolerated. In a powerful move during Wednesday’s regular council meeting, Council President George Levendis delivered a message to those engaging in improper breeding practices: “It’s going to stop.”

In a major operation spanning 48 hours, hundreds of roosters were freed from the brutal world of cockfighting in Huron and Lorain Counties. Humane agents, alongside local animal rescue organizations, worked tirelessly to dismantle three illegal cockfighting rings, bringing an end to the suffering of these exploited birds.

In a heartwarming yet heartbreaking rescue mission, Operation Saves, a Toledo-based animal rescue, has taken in more than a dozen dogs saved from a puppy mill. The conditions these dogs endured were described as appalling, but thanks to the dedication and compassion of rescuers, they are now on their way to a better life.

Viewed as a nuisance species, coyote hunting and trapping is legal year round in Ohio. Oftentimes hunting is legalized and allowed under the concept of population control. Primarily this takes place through weekend long wildlife killing contests (WKC), where hundreds of coyotes are inhumanely killed for cash prizes. 

The holiday season is a time for love, giving, and togetherness, and this past Christmas, the Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC) embodied that spirit in an extraordinary way. Under the leadership of Executive Director Janna Cassidy, the shelter successfully placed 99 dogs into foster homes over the holidays, turning what is often a challenging time for shelter animals into a season of warmth and hope.