July 27, 2025

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Rising Vet Costs Push Older Pets into Shelters

Escambia County, FL — As veterinary expenses climb roughly 15% per year amid a national vet shortage, local shelters are adapting to a surge in older-pet surrenders. Escambia County Animal Shelter has waived adoption fees for animals over one year to encourage placements that often stall.

Pensacola Humane Society reports that medical bills for dentals, allergies and long-term care force many families to relinquish pets. To keep animals with their owners, they operate a twice-monthly pet pantry distributing over 10,000 pounds of food annually and refer clients to low-cost clinics like Tractor Supply’s PetVet.

MU Researcher to Quantify Service Dog Well-Being

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri PhD candidate and canine behavior consultant Don Cherry is launching a pioneering study this August to objectively assess the health and welfare of service dogs in training. By tracking both behavioral and biological indicators, Cherry aims to identify the traits that make a service dog successful while ensuring these working animals remain stress-free and fulfilled.

Key elements of the study include:

Sample: 10 service dogs undergoing different training interventions (e.g., store visits, task exercises)

Measurements: heart rate, ear temperature, cortisol levels, microRNA, oxytocin, serotonin and gut microbiome profiles

Cherry hopes his findings, due by early 2026, will guide trainers in matching dogs to roles, expand service-dog candidate pools (including rescue dogs) and establish evidence-based welfare guidelines.

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TMH Unveils Mural Honoring 40 Years of Animal Therapy

On July 24, the TMH Animal Therapy Training Center in Tallahassee unveiled a vibrant mural celebrating four decades of therapy animals providing comfort across the Big Bend region. The artwork, hand-painted by Nancy Upthegrove, features six species — a dog, cat, rabbit, horse, bird and guinea pig — representing the 225 volunteer teams serving more than 150 facilities.

Program highlights:

Began with a single animal-therapy team over 40 years ago; now spans hospitals, courthouses, schools and hospice centers.

Volunteers like Becca Hale and her Labrador, Huck, deliver daily visits that ease patient stress and foster moments of joy.

The mural underscores the emotional bonds that complement medical care and community healing.

Portland Museum’s Cat Video Fest to Benefit Local Animal Charity

Cat Video Fest 2025 lands at the Portland Museum of Art from August 2–14, bringing the internet’s funniest feline clips to the big screen while raising funds for local cats in need. Ten percent of all ticket sales will be donated to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, underscoring the event’s commitment to animal welfare.

YouTube hosts over 2 million cat videos with more than 2 billion views, and Cat Video Fest curates the best of those viral sensations for a communal viewing experience. Tickets and schedules are available at portlandmuseum.org/eventscalendar/catvideofest2025.

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Soaring Vet Bills Push Senior Pets to Shelters—Waived Fees & Food Pantries Offer Hope