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Behind prison walls, cats and inmates rehabilitate each other through animal care program

Jordan Erb

October 19, 2020 |

IndyStar (The Indianapolis Star) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pendleton, Indiana

In Indiana's maximum-security Pendleton Correctional Facility, the FORWARD program (Felines and Offenders Rehabilitation With Affection, Reformation and Dedication) puts incarcerated men in charge of caring for cats rescued from abuse or the streets while the cats await adoption. The men learn job skills and can feel empathy for a dependent animal, which research has shown can improve behavior both inside prison and afterward. The caregivers say their job gives them purpose and greater self-esteem. About 20 have been hired after prison by Indiana's Animal Protection League, which helps run the program.

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Americans are starting to give up their pets because of COVID-19 hardships

Jen Reeder

October 02, 2020 |

NBC News |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the U.S. economy, some people are struggling to afford the cost of care for their pets, so a network of animal services leaders have joined together to transform the role that animal shelters play during the crisis. From providing food pantries and free veterinary care to housing animals whose owners have been hospitalized, the network of leaders are turning shelters into "pet support centers and resource centers" rather than intake centers.

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Can an Army of Feral Cats Solve New York City's Rat Problem?

Brendan Crowley

August 14, 2020 |

InsideHook |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York's Hard Hat Cats turns feral cats into working animals, deploying teams in outdoor spaces and indoor workplaces with rat infestations. Breweries, a prison, and other buildings have seen their rat populations plummet once cats are welcomed and cared for. The feral cats come from colonies of rehabilitated animals who have been trapped and neutered. The colonies prove less annoying to people once they are fed. Despite a lack of help from city officials, the working cats have earned their keep by addressing a problem that New Yorkers often complain about.

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How do you (safely) catch a falling bear?

Hannah Weinberger

July 07, 2020 |

Crosscut |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

After a failed removal attempt of a bear cub from a tree, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for North Puget Sound decided they needed a new high-strength tarp. With a reported increase in the number of wildlife sightings, the one net they had in stock for the six-county region wasn’t always easy to deploy. So they secured funding for a tailor-made catch net that could be used for both cougar and bear removals.

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Meet the people sharing their homes with injured and orphaned wildlife

Aislinn Sarnacki

June 18, 2020 |

Bangor Daily News |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Maine

For some Mainers, in their spare time, they treat and care for wild animals and return them to the wild. These small-scale wildlife rehabilitators care for animals like flying squirrels and black bears by opening up their homes and wallets for these creatures. Rachel Ann Parsons of R&R Wildlife Rehabilitation cares for more than 80 wild animals annually in her home. While their services are often in high-demand during spring and summer months, these licensed professionals provide a public service for those who find a wild animal in need.

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The latest shortage? Dogs and cats, as folks foster and adopt pets during quarantine

Chris Erskine

April 02, 2020 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

To manage isolation and the lockdown provisions during the coronavirus, many people are turning to fostering or adopting a new pet. Rescue organizations are implementing social distancing protocols for these adoptions and transfers, as cats, dogs, and rabbits make their way to their new homes to comfort individuals and families during the pandemic.

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Travel the great indoors for a glimpse of your city's natural world

Kartik Chandramouli

March 31, 2020 |

Mongabay |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

Across India, as people are spending more time at home because of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals in increasing numbers are turning to new ways to connect to nature and each other. They are using their time at home to observe nature out their windows, and in doing so, they are sharing their findings on places like eBird, which “depend on public contribution of data for scientific research.”

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Why More Homeless Shelters Are Welcoming Their Clients' Pets

Jill Kestler-D'Amours

March 25, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Studies show that between 5-10 percent of people living in homelessness are believed to have a pet, which could be a barrier to folks looking to spend the night in shelters that do not allow animals. Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs is one of a number of shelters that are beginning to allow pets to board along with their owners in an effort to bring more people in. Animal companionship is a very important relationship and source of comfort and stability for someone experiencing homelessness. Some barriers still exist, however, like shelters that have little funding for sheltering pets.

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Dogs are helping save Florida's citrus groves from a devastating disease

Duncan Strauss

January 14, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Perry, Florida

Dogs can detect plant disease earlier than visual inspection and faster than lab testing. In Florida, dogs are helping farmers detect Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterium with devastating consequences for the citrus fruit industry in the state. So far, HLB has decimated the citrus industry. With their sense of smell, the dogs offer an important tool for farmers who are struggling to stay ahead of infection.

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In northern Uganda, therapy dogs are helping the survivors of war cope with their trauma

Evelyn Lirri

January 08, 2020 |

Equal Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda

Animal-assisted therapy offers benefits to those suffering from trauma. In Uganda, the Comfort Dog Project pairs victims of the country's decades-long civil war with companion animals. The dogs help victims, many of whom suffered as child soldiers, cope with post-traumatic stress, stigma, and isolation. The Comfort Dog project trains the dogs and helps to educate the new owners about pet care.

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