In January 2016, a small group of veterinary leaders gathered around a shared concern — and a shared responsibility to the profession, their patients, and the public.

The question before them was straightforward, but its implications were anything but: When should kittens be spayed or neutered to best protect their health while preventing unintended litters?

Behind every statistic about domestic violence is a real person — someone who should still be here. In Ohio, those numbers are climbing, and the trend is deeply alarming.

New data shows that domestic violence–related fatalities across the state have nearly doubled over the past decade. In 2016, Ohio recorded 81 deaths connected to domestic violence. By 2025, that number had risen to 157 — a devastating increase that reflects both systemic failures and growing risks for survivors.

Shelter overpopulation is often framed as an unavoidable reality of animal welfare work. In Getting to Zero: A Roadmap to Ending Shelter Overpopulation, Peter Marsh challenges that narrative head-on, arguing that overpopulation is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices, resource allocation, and a failure to prioritize prevention.

Extreme winter weather can put lives at risk and for people with pets, accessing warmth and safety isn’t always simple. Recognizing this challenge, the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center is stepping in to help.

During periods of dangerously cold weather, the shelter is providing free, short-term emergency boarding for dogs belonging to Franklin County residents who are entering local warming centers. This service ensures that people can seek shelter without worrying about the safety of their pets.

Nearly half of U.S. households have a dog—but many families don’t realize their puppy may have come from a commercial dog breeding operation known as a puppy mill.

There are many ideas for holiday gifts, from insipid to inspired. One of the best would be to give a shelter dog or cat a forever home, but only if you have room in your heart and your life. One of the worst gift ideas would be a surprise pet. That adorable fuzzy face under the tree or next to the menorah will live another decade or more. By all means adopt if you can! Just do it as a thoroughly considered commitment, not as spontaneous gesture. Live animals are not merely things to be given for surprise and delight. They have feelings, emotions, and needs. 

Winter can be deadly for stray and homeless dogs. Freezing temperatures, lack of shelter, hunger, and exhaustion combine into a dangerous reality that claims countless lives each year. In parts of Europe, that reality has sparked a powerful innovation, one that blends compassion, sustainability, and smart design.

Despite public commitments to reduce and eventually end experiments on cats and dogs, new reporting reveals that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to fund invasive and painful laboratory experiments on cats.

Winter in Ohio can be brutal, not just for people, but for outdoor animals who don’t have warm homes to retreat to. Community cats, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife rely on the kindness and awareness of neighbors to help them make it through freezing temperatures safely.

The good news? Small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference.

In November 2025, the City of Sturgeon, Missouri agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a federal lawsuit over the police shooting of Teddy, a 13-pound blind and deaf Shih Tzu mix who posed no threat to public safety.

The settlement follows a lawsuit supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which argued that the city and its police department violated the Fourth Amendment by using lethal force instead of humane animal control methods.

A recent animal cruelty investigation in Preble County, Ohio has led to the seizure of 51 animals living in severe neglect and unsafe conditions, a heartbreaking reminder of why strong animal protection laws and enforcement matter.

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.