Ohio’s waterways just welcomed back some very unusual—and very important—residents. This summer, scientists and conservation partners released 116 juvenile eastern hellbenders into protected streams in eastern Ohio, marking another exciting step forward in the fight to save this threatened species.

What if you could help Ohio’s animals every time you buy groceries, without spending a single extra dollar? Good news: you can!

Through the Kroger Community Rewards® program, your everyday shopping automatically generates donations to Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA) at no cost to you. That means more support for our mission to educate, advocate, and empower communities to protect animals across the Ohio , all by doing what you already do.

This Giving Tuesday, your compassion can go three times as far for animals across Ohio. Thanks to a generous sponsor, every dollar donated by December 2 will be matched with two additional dollars, up to $22,500. That means your $25 gift becomes $75—and your impact reaches even further to protect, educate, and empower.

Federal inspectors have issued an official warning to The Ohio State University (OSU) following the deaths of 16 animals in research laboratories earlier this year. According to reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), investigators found that 30 animals were improperly treated during experiments conducted at OSU facilities—resulting in the deaths of 15 baby ferrets and one pig.

A devastating tragedy in Pennsylvania this September underscores a heartbreaking truth: domestic violence often endangers not only people but also the animals they love.

According to New York Times, five police officers were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call in York County. Three officers—Sergeant Detective Cody Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Baker—were killed when the gunman, who had been stalking his ex-girlfriend, opened fire. Investigators later discovered that he had killed her dog before the shooting.

After years of advocacy, the nation is making progress toward reducing and eventually replacing animal testing in research labs — and Ohio Animal Advocates’ Executive Director, Vicki Deisner, was featured in a recent Spectrum News interview discussing this important federal development.

Sunscreen is more than a summer essential—it’s a vital tool for preventing skin cancer. Because so many people use sunscreen daily throughout their lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is committed to ensuring that these products are both safe and effective.

Earlier this year, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced an initiative to reduce animal testing and invest in “human-based technologies” such as organ-on-a-chip systems, AI tools, and clinical data modeling. The move was celebrated as a major step toward more humane, human-relevant science.

What began as a routine water safety trip on the Cuyahoga River quickly turned into a story of courage, compassion, and second chances.

On Wednesday morning, city staff and water crews set out for an educational trip. But the lesson that day wasn’t just about safety—it was about humanity. Crew member Bill Bratton spotted something unusual in the water: a small dog wedged against a steel piling, soaked, shivering, and struggling to survive.

Ohio has the chance to join a growing movement to protect cats from one of the most painful and unnecessary surgeries still being performed: declawing. Senate Bill 252 (S.B. 252) would make it illegal to declaw cats in Ohio, except in rare cases where it is medically necessary for the animal’s health.

The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (ACAPL) is facing one of its most heartbreaking and overwhelming rescues to date. Earlier this month, a tip about inhumane conditions led to the removal of 72 cats and three dogs from two homes deemed “biohazards” by authorities.

The community of Canton, Ohio, is reeling after investigators uncovered a disturbing scene inside a home on Wertz Avenue. Following a tip from an animal rescue group, authorities executed a search warrant and discovered over 250 living rats, 100 deceased rats, dogs, turtles, and birds—all living among piles of filth, feces, and urine. Even more shocking, a box containing human bones was found inside.