Vet’s suicide raises questions of easy access to deadly drugs

A well-regarded young veterinarian in Winchester, England, took his own life with a drug used to euthanize pets at least partly because he was disturbed by wealthy customers asking him to put down their animals unnecessarily, The Independent newspaper reported. The vet’s suicide has prompted a coroner to warn about the easy access to dangerous drugs in the veterinary profession. The Winchester Coroner’s Court in Hampshire was told John Ellis, 35, tricked a veterinary nurse...

43 rhesus macaques escape from U.S. lab, 32 recaptured

At least 43 rhesus macaques escaped last week from a research facility in South Carolina, USA, after a caretaker accidentally failed to secure the gate to their enclosure. The incident has brought into focus once again the plight of monkeys captured and/or bred for biomedical research. Until yesterday, 32 of the simians had been recaptured, but 11 are still out in the woods surrounding the research facility in Yemassee, according to a CBS News report....

Japan sends 16 crested ibises to China after 8 years

A total of 16 precious Japan-born crested ibises, offspring of birds sent from China, arrived in China last week following an event that unfolded on Sado island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The event marked not just a rare species exchange between China and Japan, but also a significant milestone in the longstanding ecological conservation collaboration between the two countries, according to reports in the Chinese daily Global Times and the Japanese news agency Kyodo. Representatives from...

Growel Group enters pet food business with Carniwel

While some large Indian corporations such as Godrej Consumer Products Ltd have announced plans to enter the rapidly growing pet foods market, the Growel Group, a leader in aquaculture feeds, aqua healthcare, and the seafood processing industry since 1994, has stolen a march over them with their recent launch of the brand, Carniwel. According to a press statement from the company, the Carniwel brand, crafted with high-quality nutritious ingredients and manufactured entirely in India, falls...

Browning named Royal Canin’s US retail business head

Royal Canin, one of the billion-dollar brands owned by pet and human foods giant Mars, Inc., has named Stanley Browning general manager of the U.S. Pet Specialty Retail and Omnichannel business unit for Royal Canin North America, effective September 9. He is now also part of the Royal Canin North America leadership team. Browning joined Royal Canin in 2013, serving in various roles across Asia, most recently as general manager for Royal Canin Korea. Prior...

Man who dumped bull terrier while fleeing hurricane arrested

Authorities in Florida have arrested a man who left his terrified bull terrier tied to a fence by the road while fleeing the incoming Hurricane Milton, British newspaper The Mirror’s American online edition reported. According to the report, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. The charge carries a possible five-year jail term and a fine of up to $5,000. By contrast, The Prevention...

Saudi Arabia’s ibex reserve in elite IUCN Green List

The Saudi National Center for Wildlife announced last week that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has included the Ibex Protected Area, to the south of the capital Riyadh, in its exclusive Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The ibex reserve, managed by the National Center for Wildlife, became the first in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet all the criteria and indicators required to join the elite list. According to the...

Barrymore, Bautista promote Adopt a Shelter Dog month

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has announced a collaboration with acclaimed artistes, animal advocates, and pet parents Drew Barrymore and Dave Bautista to raise awareness and encourage support for dog adoption and fostering during October’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Throughout the month, Barrymore and Bautista will post adoptable dogs from the ASPCA on their social media channels to help find them loving homes. This year, the ASPCA, Barrymore and...

Chuck Norris launches premium dog food Lone Wolf Ranch

Veteran martial arts champion and action movie star Carlos Ray ‘Chuck’ Norris and his wife Gena, who are known for their love of and devotion to the many dogs they have had over the years, have launched their own brand of pet food. Lone Wolf Ranch Pets is a premium dog nutrition brand offering nutrient-rich foods for canines. According to a press release from Lone Wolf Ranch Pets, the brand reflects Chuck Norris’s unwavering love...

Carmaker Subaru offers $3 million for shelter pets in USA

Subaru of America, Inc., has announced that it and its participating retailers will provide over $3 million in direct financial assistance to local animal shelters across the USA this month through grants administered by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The grants are meant to cover costs associated with preparing animals for adoption, veterinary expenses, and more. The grants are part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, an effort to improve...