4000 Beagles Rescued From Envigo’s Virginia Hell Hole

4000 Beagles Rescued From Envigo’s Virginia Hell Hole

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Animal Welfare, Animal Companions

A “beagle breeding facility” in Virginia has been shut down, following two years of failed inspections that revealed horrifying living conditions. Inspections of the Cumberland, Va. facility run by the company Envigo, uncovered dozens of violations of federal regulations and revealed heart-wrenching cases of underfed, sick, injured and – in some cases dead – beagles. Last week a federal judge declared that some 4000 dogs are now up for adoption, giving authorities 60 days to move the beagles to safe havens.

It’s Back, the Monster Land Snail

It’s Back, the Monster Land Snail

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Conservation, Animal Welfare

A giant African land snail has been spotted in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County in Florida. The snail (Lissachatina fulica) will feed on more than 500 types of plants but nothing will feed on it, nothing in Florida anyway. The invader was first spotted here in 1969 and has since been “eradicated” twice – in 1975 and again last year – but life finds a way.

Winkie RIP

Winkie RIP

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Animal Companions

Winkie Winkerton left her condo above the sink on June 25 after 11 years of happy living in upstate New York. She was at least 16. The good people at Heart of the Catskills, a humane society in Delhi, drove two hours for a prearranged meet and greet at the Kingston Petco, where I waited with a carrier. “Not everyone wants a senior cat,” said her chauffeur. Since no one picked up the black cat sitting in the next cage, I got her too.

The Mites Among Us

The Mites Among Us

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Insects

Let’s take a closer look at one of the parasites that live on our bodies. A species of microscopic mite (Demodex folliculorum) lives in the pores on our face, as well as in facial hair follicles, including the eyelashes. They are an invisible 0.3 millimeters long and are passed on to us at birth. They mate – right there on our faces – at night.

Monster Python Eats Last Meal

Monster Python Eats Last Meal

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Animals

Late last year, a team from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida captured and killed one of the thousands (or more) of the Burmese pythons plaguing the Everglades. This one, a female packed with 122 egg follicles, was a whopper: nearly 18 feet long and weighing 215 pounds.

Left Handed Chimp Digs Wells in Uganda

Left Handed Chimp Digs Wells in Uganda

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Animals

Here’s something you don’t see every day: a chimpanzee digging a well. Digging for water has been observed in elephants, warthogs, wild horses, zebras … and now a primate – the East African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). The research appears in the journal Primates.

Diapered, Cross-Eyed Dog Wins Contest 

Diapered, Cross-Eyed Dog Wins Contest 

Manuela Hoelterhoff
Animals, Animal Companions

The chihuahua mix named Mr. Happy Face has issues. The little guy has tumors, neurological problems that make standing or walking a struggle, has to wear a diaper, and holds his head at an odd angle. In spite of these medical problems – or because of them – Mr. Happy Face is a winner: he just took the World’s Ugliest Dog honors in Petaluma, California.

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