Grumpy Cat Getting Live-Action Movie

Move over Garfield, there's a new cat in town, and she is not happy to be here.  Grumpy Cat, the foul-faced Internet celebrity known for her grumpy expressions, has just signed a movie deal, according to Deadline.

http://tinyurl.com/ltndntm

A Tale of Two Dogs

Sweetie was in a precarious position. Her person had surrendered her, she was severely anemic, and she was running out of time at a shelter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When the shelter found her a foster home, it seemed she would be saved, but the family's other dog did not accept Sweetie. She couldn't stay with them, but if she went back to the shelter, this sweet boxer mix would almost certainly have been killed. To save Sweetie, the shelter reached out to Best Friends.

http://tinyurl.com/pfnepus

The Boom in Startups for Pets

For a while, pet-related startups seemed to be a rarity. Ever since the Pets.com debacle in which the venture-backed startup went from a Nasdaq IPO to liquidation in about 9 months, entrepreneurs have given pet-ecommerce a slightly wider berth.

http://tinyurl.com/p4l2kdb

Strut Your Mutt NYC - 2013

You and your dog are invited to join Best Friends Animal Society's 4th Annual Strut Your Mutt in New York City. Thank you for making last year’s event such a huge success! Please come out again to enjoy a tail-wagging day with your dog, while raising funds to help save the lives of shelter pets in the New York tri-state area:

http://tinyurl.com/ooj8a92

Video: Giant Pandas Still Exist in the Wild

Wait a minute, giant pandas still live in the wild? Why yes, they do. Just not very many of them — there are about 1,600 left in China — and they are elusive and difficult to track in their natural habitats. That's one reason this video from the World Wildlife Fund, "An Endangered Species Odyssey," showing a giant panda had conservationists hopping up and down with joy.

http://tinyurl.com/qygajvp

Solider and Stray Cat Save Each Other in Afghanistan

Koshka the cat saved Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott's life while he was serving in the war-torn country. The soldier knew he had to return the favor.  Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott risked his life while serving in Afghanistan, but it’s the risk he took for a cat named Koshka that’s getting him attention these days.

http://tinyurl.com/osqx495

Pets May Help Cut Heart Disease Risk

Anyone wanting to live longer and cut their risk of suffering from heart disease might want to consider getting a pet.  The American Heart Association (AHA) issued a scientific statement saying owning a pet may help to decrease a person's risk of suffering from heart disease and is linked with lower levels of obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol. 

http://tinyurl.com/orxl63f

Video: Oklahoma Woman Finds Her Dog in the Rubble

Even amid the death and grief yesterday's massive tornado left behind in Moore, Oklahoma, there were small moments of triumph and happiness. Barbara Garcia was talking with a CBS News reporter yesterday in front of the rubble of what used to be her home. As the cameras rolled, Garcia described surviving the storm but being unable to find her dog.

http://tinyurl.com/koahoyw

Americans Spend More on Pets than Beer or Movies

The most pampered American pets live with Baby Boomers and childless couples, and single pet owners and single parents are more likely to skimp on kitty and doggy spending.

http://tinyurl.com/oag3au3

TN Governor Vetoes ‘Ag-Gag’ Bill

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) on Monday announced he would veto controversial legislation that would have made it harder to expose animal abuse."  Our office has spent a great deal of time considering this legislation,” he said in a statement. “We’ve had a lot of input from people on all sides of the issue. After careful consideration, I am going to veto the legislation.

http://tinyurl.com/ld9vew8

How to Save Africa's Elephants

The world can no longer ignore the reality that elephants may be gone within decades, unless something drastic happens to stop the slaughter. Crushing the criminal cartels in Africa is only half of the challenge, demand in consumer countries must also be choked. The demand for ivory in the Far East is unprecedented and China alone consumes over 50% of the illegal ivory coming out of Africa.

http://tinyurl.com/ad939tm

Texas Bans Gas Chambers for Animals

Thanks to you and animal lovers all over the country, gas chambers are now banned in the great state of Texas!

http://tinyurl.com/azbtsn8

Video: Can Music Heal Your Pet?

Music has charms to soothe the savage beast. But how about for pets? Veterinarians are using music to help soothe sick patients.

http://tinyurl.com/b8r7lky

Lion, Tiger and Bear Become Pals

Oh my! At Noah’s Ark, a wild animal rescue center in Georgia, Baloo the black bear, Leo the lion and Shere Kahn the Bengal tiger are unlikely friends. The three, who were rescued from drug dealers 12 years ago when they were cubs, spend their days together in a small pen, where they cuddle and play ball.

http://tinyurl.com/bw69orz

Celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week

It's National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week -- yes, our fuzzy overlords are so powerful, they now get simultaneous celebratory weeks.

http://tinyurl.com/d2xhsob

New Device Can Track Lost Pets By Phone

Panic is probably the only way to describe it when you realize your dog or cat is missing.  People used to have put up posters, hoping someone would find their furry friend.

http://tinyurl.com/c8jqwyt

For Pets' Quality of Life, Some States Better Than Others

Some dogs sleep outside and guard the house. Others have wardrobes and spend their day in a purse.  A new study shows that dogs and cats have a better chance at a long, healthy life in some states than in others. Louisiana and Mississippi offer the shortest average life span for dogs and cats, while pets in Colorado and Montana live longer, according to the 2012 State of Pet Health Report released by Banfield Pet Hospital, the world's largest veterinary practice.

http://tinyurl.com/ct3qdue

NYC Mayoral Hopefuls Express Support for Animal Rights

Bill de Blasio bragged that his two children were vegetarians.  William C. Thompson Jr. noted that he had a rescued cat.  Sal F. Albanese said his mother-in-law’s life was lengthened by the companionship of a Chihuahua named Joey.

http://tinyurl.com/d7satzm

Hong Kong Risks Losing Its Pink Dolphins

Conservationists warned Monday that Hong Kong may lose its rare Chinese white dolphins, also known as pink dolphins for their unique color, unless it takes urgent action against pollution and other threats.

http://tinyurl.com/cg2mdcz

Adopt A Pet In New York City

Every week The Huffington Post New York features city animals up for adoption, in partnership with Animal Care & Control of New York City.  A nonprofit organization, AC&C gives shelter to more than 30,000 dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals each year.  Interested in a new pet? AC&C has adoption centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, all open daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

http://tinyurl.com/d6q82og

Frazzled by Finals? De-Stress with Fido

There’s just something about dogs that makes you feel good.  This week and next week, calming canines are helping relax Montana State University students who are preparing for final exams.“Paws to de-Stress” brings dogs from Intermountain Therapy Animals to Renne Library on campus.

http://tinyurl.com/capzeo8

How Animals Mourn

For two years, Barbara J. King, a professor of anthropology at the College of William and Mary, has studied how animals react to death. In her new book, “How Animals Grieve” (University of Chicago Press), she argues that a wide variety of creatures including dogs and cats feel the pain of losing a loved one. Here, she explains why grief may be an emotion many animals share.

http://tinyurl.com/cv9zar4

Whales 'Pass on Hunting Techniques'

Humpback whales can pass a good idea on to each other in much the same way as humans, scientists have learned.  A new hunting technique invented after the whales were hit by a food crisis has spread to 40% of the humpback population off New England, US.

http://tinyurl.com/d8ngpk6