Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

What You Need to Know About Avian Influenza

(BPT) - America's poultry is at an unprecedented risk from avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. Specifically, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses the highest risk, which is a …

Can animals make art?

Without being able to get into the heads of animals, it’s hard to say for sure. But instances of pig painters, whale crooners and bird sculptors certainly make it seem plausible.

Tubman raising funds to add pet shelter

Tubman, an innovative organization dedicated to providing support and resources to individuals and families affected by domestic violence and trauma, is raising funds to add a pet shelter. Tubman's …

Lyle James takes Honey, a two-year-old bulldog, out into the run next to the Minneapolis Animal Care and Control building at 212 17th Ave. N. James can't have pets at his condo and he volunteers several days a week at the shelter. He is also a carrier for TMC Publications CO. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Not the pound you think you know

The Minneapolis city animal control facility isn’t the grim place many picture.“For a long time, this place would have been called a pound with all the negative aspects that …

CANS FOR SAM

Longfellow residents Linda Featherstone and her husband Frank Forkins have helped neighborhood cats and dogs to have healthier and happier lives for the past 25 years. Working with pet owners who …

Volunteer Gail Frethem plays with Tupelo at the shelter. (Photo by Penny Fuller)

FELINES FIND 'FUREVER' HOMES

Longtime Feline Rescue volunteer Nancy Miller writes monthly newsletters and works as a shift lead. “I love this work because I see first-hand the difference that volunteering makes in the …

Free helping dogs

Can Do Canines announces that there is currently less waiting time than normal for clients who need one of the following types of assistance dogs: Mobility Assist Dog, Hearing Assist Dog, Diabetes …

Just having a pet doesn’t help mental health – but pet-owners with secure relationships with their pets are less depressed

How emotionally close you are to your pet is not necessarily a good measure of how your relationship affects your well-being.

Do you have a secure or anxious attachment with your pet?

How one US organization reunites military personnel with the animals they rescued overseas

Ollie profiled the work of U.S. nonprofit Paws of War, which reunites military personnel with the animals they bonded with while serving overseas.

5 Unique Nutritional Needs of Tiny but Mighty Pups

(BPT) - National Small Dog Day is fast approaching, a day dedicated to the small dogs of the pack. These pups may come in a small package (generally weighing 20 pounds or less), but they have big …

How to Protect Your Pet's Dental Health

(Family Features) Like humans, pets' oral hygiene plays an important role in their overall health and quality of life. Protecting your pet's oral health begins by talking with your veterinarian.

New Year, New Goals for People and Pets: 3 ways dogs and dog owners can accomplish resolutions together

(Family Features) Consider these three ways you and your pet can work toward healthy habits together this year.

Top Backyarding Trends for 2025

People and their pets will be particularly appreciative of green spaces in the year ahead.

(NAPSI)— The popularity of backyarding will continue to increase in 2025, says the TurfMutt Foundation , which has encouraged outdoor living and caring for green spaces for the last 15 years. …

Why Quality Control Matters to Pet Food Safety and the Planet

(BPT) - When you pick up a bag of pet food from the store or click "add to cart" online, you deserve peace of mind knowing that the product you are buying is a safe and high-quality food.At Purina, …

Love them? Hate them? Spay them.

(BPT) - Sure, cats have nine lives. But why not give them 10? Spaying or neutering your pet is the right thing to do. Learn more at GiveThemTen.org.

Pets mourn the loss of other pets, too. Here's how experts say you can help them.

When a family pet dies, the remaining pets mourn their loss. Ollie examined studies and expert advice to provide tips on comforting grieving pets.

When dogs bark, are they using words to communicate?

Does your dog bark a lot? Or is he one of those quiet pooches who barks only when things get really exciting? Most dogs bark at least a little. Dog barks are not words. Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you …

Little seed, big problem – keep an eye out for foxtail seed pods that can harm your pet this summer

Across much of the United States, spring is in full force. With warmer weather, people are taking their furry family members out on longer walks and spending more time outside. Alongside blooming flowers and trees, your pet might run into a small, unassuming grass seed pod known as a foxtail. …

Could sharing a bedroom with your pets be keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep?

Sleeping with your dog in the same room could be negatively affecting your sleep quality, according to my team’s recently published research in Scientific Reports. …

Training an animal? An ethicist explains how and why your dog − but not your frog − can be punished

People talk to their pets every day: offering praise when they’re good, reassurance when they’re confused and affection when they’re cuddling. We also speak to animals when they misbehave. “Why did you do that?” someone might ask their dog. …

Dog care below freezing − how to keep your pet warm and safe from cold weather, road salt and more this winter

In much of the country, when winter rolls around, previously hospitable conditions can quickly turn chilly and dangerous for people and pups alike. …

Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here's how

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on safari in southern Africa. One of the greatest thrills was going out at night looking for …

Mutton, an Indigenous woolly dog, died in 1859 − new analysis confirms precolonial lineage of this extinct breed, once kept for their wool

Indigenous Coast Salish women wove woolly dogs' fur into blankets. Artist's reconstruction by Karen Carr Dogs have been in the Americas for more than 10,000 years. They were already domesticated when …