As the colder months settle in, it can be tempting to turn to warm, hearty dishes. But don’t overlook the refreshing power of a crisp, flavorful salad! This month, we’re featuring a Chopped Winter Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing, a vibrant dish packed with nutritious greens, bold flavors, and a delightful crunch.

The human-animal bond is growing more and more to the forefront of animal welfare and social services. Pets are often considered family and a crucial part of many individuals’ lives. Yet in instances of domestic violence or homelessness, pet owners struggle to find housing and services. Oftentimes faced with leaving their pets behind in order to protect and care for themselves. 

In a thought-provoking new podcast episode, Dr. G sits down with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor to unpack the recent OH Supreme Court decision. This conversation not only sheds light on the legal intricacies of the ruling but also highlights the important role played by Ohio Animal Advocates. Whether you're a legal professional, an animal rights enthusiast, or simply curious about current events, this episode offers insights that are both timely and impactful.

In today’s rapidly changing world, innovative programs that support both vulnerable populations and their furry companions are more important than ever. That's why we're excited to share an opportunity from RedRover—a chance for U.S. homeless shelters and domestic violence organizations to secure funding for pet-friendly initiatives. With applications due on Mar 1, 2025, this grant program could be the catalyst your organization needs to expand services and enrich lives.

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.