When a beloved animal becomes sick or injured, most people expect veterinary decisions to be guided by medical expertise, compassion, and the best interests of the patient. But what happens when financial investors increasingly shape the veterinary industry? That is the central question explored in Pets for Profit: An Insider's Account of How Private Equity Ruined Veterinary Care

Vaccines have become one of the most emotionally charged public health conversations of the past decade. What was once primarily a debate surrounding human medicine has now spilled into the world of companion animals and according to recent research, the consequences could be devastating for both dogs and people.

In a recent article titled “Vaccine Hesitancy Now Affects Dogs, Putting Humans at Risk,” psychologist and canine researcher Stanley Coren explores the growing number of pet owners choosing not to vaccinate their dogs. The article cites studies showing that approximately 22 percent of dog owners in the United States are now considered vaccine hesitant.

For years, a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) felt like a death sentence for cat caregivers and veterinarians alike. Shelters, rescues, foster homes, and cat owners across the country experienced the heartbreak of losing kittens and cats to a disease that once had no effective treatment. Today, that reality is changing.

In a recent episode of the Community Cats Central, renowned pet journalist and feline advocate Steve Dale shared a message that brought veterinarians around the world to tears:

“I’m announcing that FIP is no longer considered fatal.”

A recent house fire in Gustavus Township, Ohio brought emergency responders to the scene, but what was discovered inside highlighted something bigger than the fire itself.

Multiple animals were found on the property, including dogs, horses, and birds. While some animals did not survive, others were rescued and are now receiving care. As more details emerge, this case is expected to lead to further investigation and potential charges.

A recent report from the Arizona Humane Society highlights a troubling trend: a significant increase in parvo cases, a deadly but preventable disease. This rise isn’t just a local issue. It reflects a broader shift that animal welfare professionals across the country are beginning to see.

Each year, National Pet Vaccination Month serves as a reminder that one of the most powerful tools we have to protect animals is also one of the simplest: prevention.

Vaccines help protect pets from serious and often deadly diseases that still circulate in communities across the United States. By keeping pets up to date on their vaccinations, pet guardians can help safeguard not only their own animals, but also the broader pet population.

Earlier this month, Ohio Animal Advocates published an article exploring why low-cost spay and neuter appointments are so difficult to find. As Dr. Michelle “Dr. G” Gonzalez of the Rascal Unit explained, the problem isn’t a lack of effort by clinics. It’s that demand far exceeds the number of clinics, veterinarians, and technicians available to perform these surgeries safely.

The scale of the challenge means no single solution will fix it.

But organizations across Ohio are working on pieces of the puzzle.

To continue the conversation, we spoke with representatives from the Ohio Pet Fund, a statewide program focused on expanding access to spay and neuter services.

Every year on World Spay Day, we pause to recognize a simple truth:

• Too many animals are born without homes waiting for them.

• Too many shelters are beyond capacity.

• Too many healthy, adoptable pets never get the chance they deserve.

But here’s the part that matters most, this is a problem we know how to solve.

BRUNSWICK, Maine, Feb. 2, 2026 — Sushi the lynx-point Siamese kitten was only four months old when she became pregnant last summer, living in the home of a cat breeder who was ultimately charged with animal cruelty in Riverton, Utah. Sushi, still a kitten herself, had a litter of seven babies when she was six months old, and six survived. Sushi was one of nearly 90 cats and kittens rescued from deplorable conditions. Nearly every female cat over four months of age was pregnant or had young kittens. Few people know that kittens can get pregnant and give birth when they themselves are still kittens.

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?

The animal welfare community lost a true pioneer with the passing of Dr. W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M., who died peacefully on September 23, 2025, at the age of 87. A veterinarian, teacher, innovator, and tireless advocate, Dr. Mackie’s work transformed the way spay/neuter services are delivered—and in doing so, saved the lives of countless animals.

The Ohio Pet Fund provided Rascal Charities with an educational grant to offer teaching opportunities to veterinary students to improve their skills, confidence and experience while helping the community and animals. We are mentoring the veterinarians of tomorrow while helping the animals of today.