Ohio Animal Advocates 10/12/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 10/12/26

OAA Book of the Month - Denali’s New Life

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and OAA knows domestic violence affects animals too. This month’s book, Denali’s New Life, written by Karey Burek, PhD, and the Animal Welfare Institute, highlights a book that follows the true story of a dog named Denali, a dog that was severely impacted by domestic violence but found a new lease on life.

Ohio Animal Advocates 10/12/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 10/12/26

Family Dog Travels 2,300 Miles, then Separated from Owners Following Immigration Detention

After traveling 2,300 miles with his family from Venezuela to the United States, a beloved dog named Simba is facing another heartbreaking separation. In 2022, Yurimar, her husband, their three children, and Simba traveled through Colombia, Central America, and Mexico, including the dangerous Darién Gap, seeking political asylum in the U.S. Determined to keep their dog with them.

Ohio Animal Advocates 10/10/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 10/10/26

From the Exam Room to the Statehouse: Dr. G's Fight for Animals

From investigating animal cruelty cases to expanding access to veterinary care, Dr. Alba Michelle Gonzalez, or Dr. G, is dedicated to making a difference for animals across Ohio. As both a practicing veterinarian and a forensic veterinarian, Dr. G has witnessed firsthand the challenges animals face, from neglect and cruelty to limited access to affordable veterinary care.

Ohio Animal Advocates 10/2/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 10/2/26

Scratching Is Normal: Here’s How to Protect Your Furniture

Scratching is a normal part of being a cat, even when your furniture would prefer otherwise. Our partners at Give Them Ten and Scooter the Neutered Cat recently shared helpful tips for understanding why cats scratch and how cat owners can redirect the behavior to more appropriate places.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26

OAA Book of the Month - Nobody’s Cats: How One Little Black Kitty Came in From the Cold

Colder temperatures are around the corner, OAA knows how difficult it can be to see cats outdoors and wonder what you can do to help. That’s why we are highlighting a book that introduces young readers to community cats and how we can best support them through teamwork and education. Read about Nobody’s Cats: How One Little Black Kitty Came in From the Cold by Valerie Ingram and Alistair Schroff.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26

OAA Book of the Month - Community Cats: A Journey Into the World of Feral Cats

Community cats. Some people love them, while others may not understand them or why they’re here. As the seasons change and concerns about outdoor animals grow, OAA wanted to highlight a book for adult readers that takes a closer look at community cats through one person’s journey into TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return), backed by research and real-world experience.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26

Who Decides When a Pet Is Unsafe? Skid Row Debate Raises Questions About Animals & Homelessness

A debate in Los Angeles is raising difficult questions about animal welfare, homelessness, and how communities distinguish legitimate concerns about an animal’s well-being from assumptions based on a person’s housing status. Recent reporting and claims from some animal advocates have raised concerns about the treatment of animals in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/25/26

The Animal Health Organization Faces Critical Staffing and Financial Challenges

The Animal Health Organization (TAHO) is facing a critical staffing and financial challenge that could impact access to veterinary care in its community. According to TAHO, the ongoing shortage of veterinarians has significantly affected both its staffing capacity and revenue, putting the organization in a precarious financial position.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/14/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/14/26

Rabies Prevention: Protecting Pets and People

Recent reports of rabies-positive skunks in Washington County, Maryland offer an important reminder for pet owners everywhere: keeping pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations protects both animals and people. Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. It can affect wildlife as well as domestic animals, including cats and dogs.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/12/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/12/26

Ohio Construction Crew Rescues Kitten Trapped in Excavator

A tiny kitten rescued from a piece of construction equipment in Northeast Ohio has found a home and a place on the crew. The kitten was discovered in July when Chase Guello, an operating supervisor with RiverReach Construction, heard cries coming from an excavator while checking the equipment. After removing the skid plates underneath the machine, the crew was able to safely free her.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/11/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/11/26

The Human-Animal Bond Can Shape Access to Health Care

For many people, pets are family and their needs can influence decisions about housing, finances and even health care. A recent Perspective published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “Human–Animal Bonds as Social Determinants of Health Care Access,” explores how responsibilities to pets can affect whether and how people seek medical care.

Ohio Animal Advocates 9/7/26 Ohio Animal Advocates 9/7/26

Turning Rescue Experience Into Change: Meet OAA Board Member Niki Johnson

Ohio Animal Advocates is powered by people who care deeply about improving the lives of animals across Ohio. We sat down with OAA Board Member Niki Johnson, whose background in animal rescue gives her firsthand insight into both the emotional and operational sides of animal welfare. From transporting and fostering dogs to helping start RESCUEDohio, Niki has spent years seeing what it takes to help animals in need and why preventing that need in the first place is so important.