"What's the deal with cat ladies?" asks an article. Maybe you saw the TV show, which could be "the grossest footage" on TV. Gross indeed, but read the studies from the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium, or watch the documentary, and maybe you'll want to visit the little old lady that lives down the street and see if she's OK.
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 8, 2009 - 47 comments

At the Toronto Humane Society, veterinarians say animals die suffering unnecessarily in their cages while pleas to euthanize them are dismissed. Dozens of staff, volunteers and veterinarians have quit in protest. ... A note written by a staff member or volunteer on the medical chart of a cat, animal ID A127495, admitted last fall, reads: "Died Oct 19 3:15 am. Gasped and jerked and cried last breaths, because there was no one in shelter to euthanize or treat. This is not humane." ... [THS president] Mr. Trow says he strives to keep euthanasia rates low for ethical reasons. “How can anyone suggest that, because he might be here longer than anyone would want, that it's better to put [a dog] down?” Mr. Trow asked. “I think that's a strange suggestion, don't you? You live here as long as you can.” Images (yes, they're disturbing.) Video of a puppy adopted out with a broken leg. The THS web site. [more inside]
posted by maudlin on May 30, 2009 - 63 comments

Charlie plays. Charlie explores. Charlie bites. Charlie relaxes. Charlie sleeps. Charlie loves. [more inside]
posted by Joe Beese on May 1, 2009 - 41 comments

The title says it all: Pets Who Want To Kill Themselves.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy on Feb 7, 2009 - 32 comments

Woof Report has a litter of pup-perfect ideas, dog care tips, products, and more. Think of it as your daily dose of doggie delight. Woof Report works to promote awareness of animal welfare causes, pet adoption initiatives and charities.
posted by netbros on Jan 18, 2009 - 2 comments

"The animals all think he's Margaret when he speaks. He loves ordering them around and commanding them – it's very surprising. He's not frightened or scared of them at all."

"Parrot mimics owner's voice to boss around her other pets "
posted by davidstandaford on Jan 17, 2009 - 43 comments

The Dog Files is a website and video podcast about dogs and the people that love them.
posted by blue_beetle on Nov 14, 2008 - 7 comments

Working Class Cats documents the lives of gainfully employed felines in NYC. There is, of course, some controversy. [via]
posted by milquetoast on Dec 22, 2007 - 36 comments

Earthlings (1 hr 35 min Google video) is "a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called 'non-human providers.'" Also in three parts on YouTube.
posted by homunculus on Jun 24, 2007 - 71 comments

A recent article recently came out in the Wall Street Journal, which cited new study from Stanford about animal consciousness. Elephants grieve, bees create mental maps, dolphins recognize themselves in mirrors. Snakes have more brain cells than humans, and chickens worry about the future. What are your thoughts? Does this change the way we treat animals?
posted by PetBoogaloo on Nov 3, 2006 - 86 comments

50 animals in casts. nuff said. (via mira y calla)
posted by madamjujujive on Mar 1, 2006 - 25 comments

Hamster driven micro Power Plants ... the Hamster powered Night Light from the Otherpower.com guys .... also the school project of a London teen ... "Every two minutes Elvis spends on his wheel gives me about 30 minutes talk time on my phone." The teenage inventor was given a C for his project and has been awarded a D overall for the course" Please no Richard Gere jokes OK?
posted by celerystick on Nov 7, 2005 - 17 comments

I've Got Cats - (In the tradition of MeFi cat links since Day One) - Can his server withstand the attack?  
posted by spock on Aug 3, 2005 - 5 comments

Looking for that perfect gift for your favorite dog-loving military buff? How about a picture of Rover in uniform?
posted by Katemonkey on Apr 25, 2005 - 11 comments

Melissa Kaplan's site is not just about green iguanas. Anapsid.org provides information on behavior, health, prey and feeding, captivity issues, and more regarding Cyclura (blue) iguanas, chelonians, amphibians, crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and even invertebrates and arachnids.
posted by breezeway on Apr 21, 2005 - 5 comments

Hopkin Green Update. Last seen in this area.
posted by azul on Nov 6, 2004 - 35 comments

Mega Rabbit.
posted by moonbird on Jul 21, 2004 - 14 comments

Cat + Rabbit != Love
Flash movie.
posted by Mwongozi on Apr 17, 2004 - 19 comments

My Cat Annie is a website with several quick adorable videos (in Flash format) of the owner's cat doing ridiculous cat tricks.
posted by jonson on Jan 11, 2004 - 27 comments

Fucked up cats. Including but not limited to winged, extra-toed, and dwarf cats.
posted by angry modem on Jul 10, 2003 - 16 comments

You Like The Decoration? Thank The Goddam Dog. To what extent is the organization and decoration of your home dictated and orchestrated by your pet? And would you have it any other way, no matter how repressed you might be at the moment?
posted by MiguelCardoso on Jun 22, 2003 - 14 comments

You need to dress a cat. And you will say to a cat together with a family. "It has changed just for a moment". [ "it being very dear" or ] You will pass pleasant one time. Costumes for your cat + some great Engrish. (via Boing Boing.)
posted by Vidiot on May 24, 2003 - 9 comments

My Luddite Bunny: amazingly, no animal was harmed during the photographing of this nightmare. Repeat after me: I will never let one of those reactionary hijos de remil putas a bunny into my house.
posted by Carlos Quevedo on May 13, 2003 - 32 comments

Chiengora is the fancy term for dog hair used to make mittens, hats, sweaters, and more. This site will teach you all about chiengora and how to hand spin it into yarn. If you'd rather just brush your dog and send the fur to someone else to knit, check out Rover's Comb.
posted by acridrabbit on Dec 7, 2002 - 12 comments

Nine lives? It seems cats do better when dropped...uh, I mean, fall, more than seven stories. Anything less and they fail to reach terminal velocity and don't land properly. Once the cats reach terminal velocity they spread their legs (think parachute) and slow their fall. A cat has a far better chance of survival falling from 32 stories than four. Dwarfs, however, do not benefit from longer flights.
posted by cedar on Aug 29, 2002 - 36 comments

"... virtually unique in their ability to attain dry stickiness." geckos are talented little buggers, that's for certain. effective pitchmen, as well. but what about those toes? just how does a gecko manage to shimmy up the slippery side of your aquarium with the greatest of ease? well, according to researchers at lewis and clark university, it all comes down to hair....
posted by grabbingsand on Aug 27, 2002 - 12 comments

First challenge of Maryland law making animal cruelty a felony results in acquittal. Charges were dismissed against a landlord who forcibly removed two of his tenant's three cats and dispatched them with a 12-gauge shotgun. Judge said law's language fails to clearly define "cruel killing". Also on AP.
posted by LinusMines on Aug 22, 2002 - 16 comments

Another Cat Killer Wins "As a property owner, you have a right to do as you please and you have the right to protect it" In Coeur d' Alene, ID, accused cat poisoner Dale Crooks Jr. is acquitted of feeding tuna mixed with antifreeze to the neighbor's cats. What seems most remarkable to me, though, is that everyone is calling the plaintiffs' lawyer a publicity seeker and the cats' owners troublemakers. There must be more to the story than is printed here. Either that, or small town dwellers in Idaho REALLY hate cats.
posted by faceonmars on Jul 12, 2002 - 36 comments

Spanish dogs say "guau guau". Did you ever read comics or something in a language other than your cradle tongue and notice that onomatopoetic words, particularly for animal sounds, are different in different languages? This webpage has animal sounds from loads of languages, organized by language and animal. Indonesian dogs say "gonggong".
posted by jeb on Apr 30, 2002 - 46 comments

Real Big Fish. "Bruce" is a goldfish the size of an average housecat. What did they feed it?
posted by lostbyanecho on Jan 22, 2002 - 35 comments

Necoro is a robotic cat that looks more like a cat than a robot. This site is only available in Japanese, but check out the photo and movie galleries. (I saw this thing mentioned in a Reuters article about the new "human-like" Honda robot).
posted by edlundart on Nov 13, 2001 - 17 comments

Chicagoans ready to pass new dog control laws. Instead on enforcing current leash laws to curb dog attacks, Chicago is planning to raise fines up to $10,000.
posted by skallas on Oct 31, 2001 - 11 comments

The forgotten heros: dogs. Rescue dogs need booties for their feet (such as these) to protect them from the rubble and glass as the search for survivors continues. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is also asking for donations now.
posted by mathowie on Sep 14, 2001 - 16 comments

Recently, officials closed down a local illegal puppy mill and rescued (still amazed at this number!) *147* dogs living in atrocious conditions. The public response has been amazing from across the entire U.S. - Most of the dogs can't be adopted yet, but to help in other ways... To reach Second Chance Animal Rescue, call (831) 623-2337. You can reach Hollister Animal Control at (831) 636-4320. Mail checks to the City of Hollister, 375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA, 95023.
posted by thunder on Apr 27, 2001 - 0 comments

Punk rock chickens! This has to be one of the weirdest things I've seen. But when you work with chickens, I guess you get pretty bored. Enjoy!
posted by samsara on Apr 14, 2001 - 7 comments

Heavy Petting - Peter Singer (bioethics professor, animal rights guru, frequently admired or hated Australian philosopher) discusses bestiality, which is probably much more popular than you imagine: "In the 1940s, Kinsey asked twenty thousand Americans about their sexual behavior, and found that 8 percent of males and 3.5 percent of females stated that they had, at some time, had a sexual encounter with an animal. Among men living in rural areas, the figure shot up to 50 percent. "
posted by pracowity on Mar 3, 2001 - 19 comments

Were SF attorneys having sex with dogs? Robert Noel and/or Marjorie Knoller own the dogs that killed Diane Whipple. Now a search warrent is released that looked in a Pelican Bay prison cell for "any materials or correspondence describing sexual acts by Noel or Knoller that involve dogs." It doesn't sink much lower than this.
posted by bjennings on Mar 1, 2001 - 17 comments

100 dogs in 100 days! Illustrator Michael Wertz is on a mission to fill his dog blog with "100 pooches in >about< as many days." Help him out by spreading the word or sending him a photo of your favorite canine. Woof!
posted by webchick on Feb 9, 2001 - 12 comments

An 18-inch dog swallows a 15-inch serrated knife and lives to, well, bark about it. Not the most compelling story on metafilter, but the x-ray photo is worth the trip (and they had no idea it was in there until they did the x-ray).
posted by teradome on Jan 25, 2001 - 7 comments

Doggy PPO/HMO , I saw on the news tonight where local companies are offering Healthcare plans for their pets as an added employment bonus. "Annual exams and annual vaccines are provided in FULL at NO charge. Extensive veterinary services are provided at significantly reduced fees. Office visits are only $15.00 which is a significant savings for United Pet Care members." How cool is that?
posted by 120degrees on Jul 12, 2000 - 1 comment

Two-Faced Kitten Dies
And the original AP story (with pictures) lead me to believe that it would survive. Too bad — I have a soft spot for this sort of "abomination" (a two headed/brained-snake was the subject of my favorite paper on cognitive ethology). But seeing this story made me remember the most remarkable case of human conjoined twins [more >>]
posted by sylloge on Jun 11, 2000 - 9 comments

Hopefully the 1996 Cat Olympics organization will be holding their olympics in Sydney next year. If so, my cats will start training soon, however, they're already in top form for most all events.
posted by mathowie on Jul 24, 1999 - 2 comments