PETS

With New Year’s Eve coming up, there will be plenty of celebrations and fireworks. And while it might be a party for you, it’s not so much for your pets.

Health officials say pets and another animals can get the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but the risk of them spreading it to people is low.

Pet Alliances needs to raise $14 million to cover the costs of the new facility.

Which pet names were the most popular or trended the highest in 2021?

We all love spoiling our pets, and amid the spoiling we do to ourselves on Thanksgiving with all the delicious food, some of us consider doing the same for our pets.

Orange County Animal Services reports highest ever live release rate in its 52-year history, at 91% overall for its 2021 fiscal year.

A pet cat is killed in a house fire near Winter Park.

Orange County Animal Services is at near capacity and is asking adoptees to step forward.

The Seminole County Fire Department receives new life-saving tools.

Are you a dog lover who has struggled to return to the office, now that you’ve spent the past year or so around the house more often for your furry friend?

If you have towels, blankets, dog food or cat food and want to donate it, please do so by dropping it off at 2800 County Home Road, Sanford, Florida 32773.

Crews battle a fire at the Orlando Pet Alliance on Conroy Road.

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is closing its vet clinic on Conroy Road.

Whether you’re in need of a place to house pets while on vacation, or somewhere for them to go while you are working all day, owners of pets are often worried about what they will do with their furry loved ones when they are away.

Whether you’re in need of a place to house pets while on vacation, or somewhere for them to go while you are working all day, owners of pets are often worried about what they will do with their furry loved ones when they are away.

Disney has several furry sidekicks and stars that have stayed loyally by our sides for decades.

Authorities say a Wisconsin woman accidentally shot a friend while using the laser sight on a handgun to play with a cat.

Several brands of dog food sold nationwide are being recalled over fears that could contain high levels of mold.

Each year, 500,000 pets suffer from smoke inhalation and 40,000 die due to home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

A good Samaritan discovered the dog with her mouth taped shut "near death," according to the rescue.

They’re cute, they seem like fun and thanks to social media, mini pigs are very popular right now.

A self-styled pet rescuer has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for animal cruelty after hoarding cats and leaving them to starve inside a small apartment in South Florida.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things going forward, one of which is the way pet owners and veterinarians interact during visits.

Florida has more than 1 million alligators and several laws to protect the beasts.

A San Francisco Bay Area zoo is inoculating its big cats, bears and ferrets against the coronavirus.

After losing her dog two years earlier, a Pennsylvania woman was yearning to find a new puppy for her and her two sons to play with.

With Independence Day on the horizon, there will be plenty of celebrations and fireworks. While it might be a party for you, it’s not so much for your pets.

If you’re a dog lover, what’s your favorite breed?

For 11 years, a tortoise born with metabolic bone disease struggled to walk.

This little Pekingese named Wasabi won the hearts of the Westminster Dog Show Sunday night, as well as the hearts of America.

Being home for those first couple months of the pandemic really made for a lot of free time for some, and wasn’t it the perfect time to adopt a new puppy or kitty?

As people begin to return to the office, it may be a difficult transition for pets and their owners. NPR's Rachel Martin got some tips from veterinarian Douglas Kratt.

A Chicago cat may now have only eight lives after jumping out of a fifth-floor window to escape an apartment fire.

Misneach, the Irish president's pooch, was trying to get the attention of his owner, Michael D. Higgins.

Prosecutors say three men drove around the Hollywood area in late February, looking for expensive French bulldogs to steal.

Traveling can be stressful but Orlando International Airport is bringing back its Paw Pilot dogs to ease those travel woes after a year-long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Orange County Animal Services is giving away nearly five tons of free pet food on April 28.

A pet runway model contest and dog surfing championships were among many activities at the 57th annual Easter Surf Festival in Cocoa Beach this weekend.

Animal Control responded after the fifth incident where the brown-and-white pup stole the unicorn from the Duplin County store, according to CNN. The responding Animal Control officer decided to purchase the toy for the 1-year-old shoplifter before taking him to Duplin County Animal Services on March 21. Sisu and his purple Unicorn at Duplin County Animal Services in North Carolina. Before leaving the shelter in Kenansville, North Carolina Sisu got a photo-shoot with his unicorn pal. Box 950 Kenansville, North Carolina 28349.

When deputies went to speak to Murphy, she rushed out and threw the dog over the railing, according to Volusia County Sheriff’s Office records. Rescuers nicknamed the 1-year-old dog “Miracle.”The Miracle pup has been with a foster family since being dropped from the hotel balcony and is a trained service dog. Volusia County Animal Services have identified a new home for Miracle with a military veteran in need of a service dog. “Just like her name that day was truly a miracle that she did not sustain any further injuries,” said Adam Leath, Director of Volusia County Animal Services. It took three months of recovery and training but on Thursday, Miracle went home with Ted and Bridget with a big role as a service dog and companion for Ted.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando-area family claims their dog, Audi, was unnecessarily shot by Orange County sheriff’s deputies, and they are now filing a federal lawsuit against the agency. None of it made sense.”The Orange County Sheriff’s Office told News 6 there were no cameras activated at the time the dog was shot, but they were turned on when deputies accompanied the family to the emergency veterinarian. “Listen, she’s basically saying she’s going to let the dog die unless we give $1,000 right now,” Vanderbilt is heard saying. LaHart filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Vanderbilt and her son against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and two of the deputies who responded. “If they had done that, that might’ve been a reasonable position for the police to take.”According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the deputies claimed they were trying to protect their police dog when they saw Audi.

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A Brevard County dog grooming business is still in operation months after its owner was ordered to cease operation by the Florida Department of Health. Brevard County Animal Services cited the then-owner of a dog groomer for inhumane treatment of animals after Lochlan, a Goldendoodle, was severely injured, and the owner failed to seek medical treatment. Brevard County Animal Services launched an investigation and determined Strabley did not seek medical treatment for Lochlan after he was injured. In 2016, a Brevard County couple claimed their dog was mauled to death at Strabley’s business. The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County also revoked her animal care business license and ordered her to cease operation within 24 hours.

Commercial breeding of non-native tegu lizards and green iguanas in Florida will end in three years despite the objections of reptile dealers and owners warning of the potential destruction of their industry. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to add 16 reptiles to a list of prohibited species, including several python species, green iguanas and all species of tegu lizards. AdWith iguanas and tegu lizards accounting for about $620,000 a year of the $50 million to $200 million reptile trade in Florida, which includes almost 4,000 species, the commission agreed to allow existing commercial breeding of tegus and green iguanas to continue until June 30, 2024. “Banning these animals is punishing those same people that are out there, putting hours of work removing these invasive species,” Perez said. Marcus Cantos, who has worked for decades with reptiles, asked the commission to delay the vote until in-person meetings could be held.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Animal Services is calling on the public to “spay it forward” and help fund spay and neuter vouchers for pet owners who may need financial help. The Spay It Forward campaign was created last year to help combat pet overpopulation issues within the community. The initiative was grant funded and provided vouchers for eligible low-income pet owners. The prices for a spay or neuter procedure can be as low as $50 for cats at low-cost shelters, according to animal services. [DONATE TO ‘SPAY IT FORWARD’ HERE]Ad“The sheer volume of abandoned and discarded animals coming into our shelter day after day signals a problem,” said Diane Summers, manager for Orange County Animal Services.

“We love having dogs,” Morris said with her two dogs sitting in her lap. “And I’m like, ‘Ehh, I’m not so sure about this, because I cannot see them both beforehand.”Red flag number four. Through emails and voicemails, we asked both the seller and Dreamline Carriers if they were involved in a puppy scam. AdThrough a Google search, News 6 also found language copied verbatim from another shipping website, nearly identical in a layout to Dreamline’s website. They have time to raise a puppy.”According to the BBB’s scam tracker, 254 Floridians reported a type of puppy scam last year, compared to 103 in 2019.

One dog in Orange County was an extra good girl Thursday when she helped save her family’s home after it caught fire, officials said. Orange County Fire Rescue said it got a call after the dog, named Prada, alerted the family through a Ring surveillance camera. No injuries reported, but this 4 legged hero, Prada, saved the day. She alerted her owners via their Ring camera that there was a problem as she was the only one in the house at the time of the fire. Good girl, Prada!

ALPINE, Texas – A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. I'm not a cat,” Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said. “I can see that,” replied Ferguson, whose district covers five counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Ponton was calling. The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat filter. Now I’m famous for appearing in court as a cat,” he told The Associated Press.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A man was arrested after snatching a puppy while delivering food to a Jacksonville Beach home on Saturday, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department said Sunday. I mean, it was just terrible,” Block told News 6 partner WJXT-TV by phone on Sunday. AdBlock said the food delivery driver was caught on surveillance video walking into an elevator with the dog before leaving in a blue Ford Focus. Jacksonville Beach police say the theft of the dog was captured on surveillance video. We confirmed the individual charged with this crime was not a Grubhub driver and has never been contracted with us.

TAMPA, Fla. – A condominium association in Florida is suing a 78-year-old woman over the feeding of a stray cat. The lawsuit doesn't specify the number of cats or other animals Hussey is alleged to be feeding. Hussey told the newspaper she only feeds a black-and-white cat she had fixed years ago and calls Cleo. Last year, the condo association took its case to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for arbitration, which is a process required before this kind of condo dispute can go to court, the newspaper reported. An order was issued requiring her to stop feeding cats on the property.

TAMPA, Fla. – A federal indictment says a Florida man known as “the Monkey Whisperer” has been charged with illegally transporting and selling primates. The documents unsealed Wednesday said Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, 57, has been charged with conspiracy, trafficking and submitting a false record in violation of a federal law involving the illegal trade in wildlife. [TRENDING: Biden will move to reverse these Trump policies | Here’s how to register for COVID-19 vaccine | At least part-time residency required for vaccine in FL]A Justice Department statement said Hammonds operated a wildlife breeding business through which he tried to sell a capuchin monkey to a buyer in California and also sold endangered cotton-top tamarins. If convicted, he could face more than 30 years in prison. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney.

Benny is recovering at the SPCA of Brevard after he was hit in the face with birdshot somewhere near Tallahassee. (Images: SPCA Brevard)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – When the puppy arrived Thursday from a small shelter in the rural scrublands outside Tallahassee, his face was peppered with birdshot. On Monday, the year-old hound mix shelter workers have named “Benny” bounded merrily through the grass at the SPCA of Brevard’s Titusville adoption center. The SPCA of Brevard is accepting donations toward Benny’s medical care at spcabrevard.com/donate. If you’d like to foster a cat or dog through the “Home for the Holidays” program, drop by the SPCA of Brevard adoption center, 6035 Sisson Road in Titusville.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. The Orange County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in identifying two people who were caught on camera stealing 16 puppies, worth over $100,000, from an Orlando pet store. STOLEN PUPPIES: Please take a close look at the people in this video. On 5/21, at 3:43 a.m., they broke in and stole 16 puppies from Petland on Alafaya Trail. pic.twitter.com/GfbxuxNOzd Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) May 21, 2020Deputies said two people broke in Petland along Alafaya Trail just before 4 a.m. Thursday morning and stole 16 puppies. According to an incident report, the pair stole six English bulldog puppies, six French bulldog puppies, two yorkie puppies, a dachshund puppy and a poodle puppy.

ORLANDO, Fla. Orange County Animal Services announced the shelter will reopen its doors Friday while still implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. OCAS officials said they will offer pet adoptions through an appointment-only system. **REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENT** Orange County Animal Services will be reopening on Friday, May 22 with an appointment-based... Posted by Orange County Animal Services on Wednesday, May 20, 2020Anyone who would like to make an appointment for services at OCAS can click here. Those interested in adopting are encouraged to view the website, ocnetpets.com, prior to booking an appointment to view the available pets," a Facebook post read. "Since appointments are limited, we ask that only those seriously interested in adoption move forward at this time.The shelter said adoption fees will be waived for the remainder of May.

Can your pets be art? A millennia-spanning exhibition at the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas in Austin is devoted to our fascinating four-legged companions. Anna Werner reports.