Can good science debunk the hype about outdoor cats and toxoplasmosis?
A flurry of media articles broke out last year, associating cat ownership and exposure to human mental health problems including schizophrenia, and attributed it to cats as carriers of toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan. Was the hype justified? No, writes Best Friends Animal Society’s Peter Wolf on Vox Felina, citing an article about a paper… Learn More
How to bust myths about community cats with science
Ever feel incredibly frustrated at the picture anti-cat advocates are trying to paint of cats? So is Peter Wolf, and he’s dedicated his life to doing something about it. He first created a blog called Vox Felina, where he methodically deconstructs misleading media narratives and bad science. He’s now added the position of Cat Initiatives… Learn More
Searchable database to compare shelters nationwide now updated
Ever wonder how your community’s shelter lifesaving stacks up? We’ve just updated our comparative database with 2012 data, with 2013 on its way early next year!
Pet health: What do the numbers tell us?
Today’s Veterinary Practice and Banfield Pet Hospital have partnered to publish the data garnered by Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK), based on veterinary records from its 850 hospitals and 2.4 million pets treated each year.
Saving animal lives: How data gets you there
If your organization isn’t keeping data, or you’re not sure your current practices are giving you the information you need to save more animals, the National Federation of Humane Societies has created a data matrix form, instructions and definitions that can help.
Got shelter data? NFHS wants you!
The National Federation of Humane Societies is asking animal sheltering organizations nationwide to take a short (about 10-minute) survey on what data they collect and how they use it. They’ll be using the information to develop support and training resources.
Free pet adoptions: What does the data tell us?
Few things are as controversial in the animal welfare world as free pet adoptions, primarily out of concern that the homes the pets go to won’t be as good as those where the adopter pays a fee. A recent study concludes those concerns are unjustified.