An old apartment building in Akron was condemned, forcing tenants to evacuate abruptly and leaving three cats stranded inside for several days. Two cats belonged to tenants who no longer had stable housing, and the third owner couldn’t bring their cat to their new residence. With no way to re-enter and care for the animals, their situation grew urgent. After multiple rescue attempts failed, Channel 19 News put out a plea for help. That’s when Crystal Riggi of Riggi Rescue stepped in. Clyde was later reunited with his mom, Ember was transferred to Forever Friends Foundation and adopted on 4/4, and Leo is currently recovering with Riggi Rescue, awaiting dental care before he’s ready for adoption.

On this episode of United We Spay, Vicki Deisner from Ohio Animal Advocates and community cat management expert Dan Spehar address this question through the lens of affordable spay-neuter services. Their conversation with Stacy underscores these initiatives’ critical role in managing overpopulation and fostering collaboration between citizens and local governments. Dan offers compelling insights into the humane effectiveness of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, highlighting the Together Initiative for Ohio’s Community Cats as a successful model for stakeholder empowerment and local action.

What happens to primates after their lives in research labs, roadside zoos, or private homes come to an end? For many, the future is uncertain. But in Perry County, Ohio, a new future is being built — one that promises safety, healing, and a second chance.

Tessa Wilde founded For the Love of Primates in 2019 with a bold and compassionate mission: to create and support a sanctuary for primates retired from research, used in the entertainment industry, or previously kept as “pets.” The organization is grounded in the belief that, after spending their lives in human environments, these animals deserve a future filled with peace, safety, and compassionate care.

Nonhuman primates used in research at state facilities in Virginia had only one option after their time in the lab was over: euthanasia. Thanks to a new bill passed by the Virginia Senate, that may finally change. On February 4, 2025, the Senate approved SB 907, a bill that paves the way for retired research primates to live out the rest of their lives in sanctuaries rather than being euthanized.

In a shocking move that threatens farmers’ access to vital resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been sued for scrubbing its website of critical information related to climate change and conservation. Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

This month, as our Humane Education Resource of the Month, we are thrilled to share author, Ingrid Newkirk’s (president and founder of PETA), Unlocking the Animal World: Incredible Facts and How Kids Can Be Superheroes for Animals.* It is a marvelous resource for educators and parents of young children. It is the perfect resource for teaching young people that all animals are unique, important individuals. It is an engaging and educational book designed to inspire young readers to both appreciate the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom and become active protectors of animals and their habitats. Unlocking the Animal World offers not only fascinating facts about animals, but offers practical conservation tips, and easy-to-understand ways for children to make a real difference in the world. 

Looking for a quick, hearty, and flavorful meal that aligns with your compassionate lifestyle? This month, we’re featuring a classic Italian dish with a plant-based twist: Pasta Puttanesca! Traditionally made with anchovies, this version skips the fish but keeps all the bold, briny flavors you love. Salty olives, capers, garlic, and crushed tomatoes come together in a savory sauce that’s as satisfying as it is simple.

The Brooks Institute has just released an exciting new resource as part of its Living Bibliography Project—a comprehensive, curated, and science-backed report titled “Cephalopod Cognition and Sentience.” This groundbreaking publication offers an in-depth look into the minds and behaviors of octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses, shedding light on just how intelligent and emotionally complex these invertebrates truly are.

The Loyalty Inn, a hotel on the city’s Southeast Side, was abruptly shuttered after years of safety violations, crime concerns, and city scrutiny. For the group of homeless individuals who had been temporarily housed there with support from the Community Shelter Board, it was the second time in just a few months they were uprooted—first from encampments the city cleared in December, and now from the only shelter that allowed them to stay with their animals.

By now, many in the Gahanna, Ohio community have heard the heartbreaking news: several outdoor cats were poisoned last summer—and again in December—with necropsy results confirming the presence of both rat poison and antifreeze in at least one cat's system. But despite these findings, no charges have been filed.

For years, Steffen Baldwin was seen as a hero in the animal rescue world—a self-proclaimed “dog whisperer” who claimed to rehabilitate the unadoptable, the aggressive, and the misunderstood. He built a public persona based on compassion, gaining the trust of shelters, rescue groups, and dog lovers across the country. But behind the carefully curated image was a deeply disturbing truth: Baldwin was not saving dogs. He was killing them.

The city of Campbell, Ohio, is making it clear: illegal and unethical animal breeding will no longer be tolerated. In a powerful move during Wednesday’s regular council meeting, Council President George Levendis delivered a message to those engaging in improper breeding practices: “It’s going to stop.”