pets news stories on Newser

Going Punk: Your Pets

Matt Cantor — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:48:43 CDT

Colored fur, tattoos, trendy haircuts: The punk look isn't just for humans anymore. Temporary tattoos are increasingly popular in the canine world, says an association of "creative groomers." "People love it—it's hilarious," says one groomer. Adds another: "People are amazed—they do a double take." The tats, which cost...

Pit Bull Survives Shot in Head After Saving Owner

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:10:55 CDT

A courageous dog saved the day in Staten Island when he helped scare off a home invader and survived a bullet to the head, reports the New York Post . The drama began when a burglar disguised as a FedEx deliveryman tried to break into Justin Becker's apartment. Becker threw the...

Rapture Pet Rescue Creator: It Was a Hoax

Rob Quinn — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:15:00 CDT

The guy behind the company offering to look after believers' pets after the Rapture has admitted that the whole business was a hoax. Bart Centre says he decided to come clean after New Hampshire authorities launched a probe of Eternal Earth-Bound Pets for engaging in "unauthorized business of insurance," USA...

Dog Disease Complaints to FDA Single Out 3 Brands

Matt Cantor — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:37:00 CDT

FDA officials still aren't sure what has caused a wave of disease in 600 US dogs, but pet owners' complaints over Chinese-made chicken jerky dog treats may provide a clue. Some 13 of 22 key complaints point to Waggin' Train or Canyon Creek treats, both from Nestle Purina, while three...

Pet Owners Get Infections After Too-Close Contact

Dustin Lushing — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:00:05 CST

Pet owners should be careful of becoming too physically close with their furry friends: Three people contracted serious infections after cuddling and caring for their dying pets, a new study shows. One woman who ate honey from the dropper she used to feed her dog was hospitalized with a respiratory...

Want Your Pet to Last Forever? Freeze-Dry It

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:07:41 CST

Freeze-dried pets may not play with you or go out for walks, but they look pretty darn real, LiveScience reports. And they cater to the need of pet owners who want little Scruffy or Ruby to last until the end. "What we hear from pet owners is that they're so...

Report: PETA Kills 95% of Pets It Takes In

Matt Cantor — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:31:49 CST

PETA's controversial campaigns for animal rights dominate headlines—but behind the scenes, the picture is quite different, according to newly released documents. Last year, the organization killed more than 95% of the pets in its charge at its Norfolk, Va., headquarters, the Daily Caller reports. Documents released by the state's...

Pet Court Cracks Down on Furry Delinquents

Dustin Lushing — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:10:58 CST

Every dog has its day, sometimes its day in court. At least in San Antonio, where the city has set up a unique legal enterprise: a court just for pets, where transgressions of the law involving dogs, cats, and other animals are tried, reports the Wall Street Journal . The 10-month-old...

Forget Kibble: Today's Pets Eat Gourmet

Matt Cantor — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:03:05 CST

At least one demographic isn't feeling the burn of a tough economy: pets. Instead of cutting back, dogs and cats are living large—at least when it comes to fine dining. Pet food companies are offering meals fit for a king, such as egg soufflé for cats; a lobster consommé...