Giving the ‘purr-fect’ present
Few sights evoke heart-warming holiday sentiments as perfectly as images of a puppy, kitten, dog, or cat with a festive bow. Perhaps the furry creature is being hugged by a delighted child under a Christmas tree, or peeking out from inside of a beautifully wrapped gift box. The question of whether to give a live […]
Pet birds, parrots require special knowledge and care
Exotic, brilliantly colored parrots with their unique intelligence, speech abilities and personalities have fascinated people for centuries and were documented as pets in the earliest writings and artwork of ancient civilizations. Typically portrayed perched on the shoulders of pirates in movies or novels, this stereotype of parrots is actually based upon historical fact. Pirates stole […]
Caring for world wildlife one exotic animal at a time
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens veterinarians, Dr. Meredith Persky of San Marco, and Dr. Yousuf Jafarey of Riverside, may live 10 miles from their place of employment, but through their job they experience a little piece of nearly every corner of the world. Inside the 115-acre botanical gardens located on the Trout River, they care for […]
Caring for rescue animals provides rejuvenation for busy volunteers
Their large dark eyes question as they push soft muzzles over the worn wooden fence, blow hot breath onto outstretched hands, and deeply inhale the scent of strangers. The horses, Amanda and George, who is named for the character in the children’s book, Curious George, are the official welcoming committee for CJ Acres Animal Rescue […]
Riverside fosters restore health to two ‘miracle’ kittens
Whether it’s an orphaned kitten that rode 38 miles on the frame of a tractor-trailer truck or a “COVID” orphan kitten, three days old, found in critical condition, only a truly dedicated foster-to-adoptive family could handle these two: Juan Vegega and Hardee Mahoney of Riverside. No one knows how the first orphan, a two–week-old male […]
Canine lifelines for children
When the hundred-pound golden retriever quietly pads onto campus and through the entrance of North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE), everyday activities halt, replaced by excited student squeals and beaming teacher smiles. Most rush to greet, kneel to pet or hug the calm dog with the friendly eyes, tail constantly wagging. ZenBowie’s chill arrival […]
Celebrating bees & beekeepers in June
June is the time to celebrate everything to do with bees, specifically June 22-28, the week designated to celebrate the nectar-seeking wonders, promote beekeeping and publicize the critical food-chain importance of fragile pollinators: birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles and small animals. Apiologists – honeybee experts – want to inform the public about threats to […]
CDC: Companion pets won’t get you sick
Pet owners, who question if the new coronavirus COVID-19 can infect or harm animals, will take comfort in the constantly updated information now available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), in coordination with the scientific veterinarian community and leading animal experts and organizations, have released pet owner and pet safety guidelines to […]
