We are thrilled to share that Dr. Alba Michelle Gonzalez-Monska — known to many as Dr. G — was honored with the Humane World for Animals Access to Care Visionary Award at this year's Animal Care EXPO!

Stray cats. Community cats. Problem cats. Neighborhood nuisances. However you refer to them, they exist almost everywhere. In some places they are more prevalent than others: one such place Sabina, Ohio.

Earlier this spring, more than 200 animals were rescued from a farm in Wellington, Ohio, after investigators uncovered what one shelter called “deplorable and inhumane” conditions. The rescue, led by the Friendship Animal Protective League (FAPL), marks the third large-scale animal seizure in less than 30 days for the organization.

On October 24, 2024, Sophia Kartsonis, the former director of Our Farm Sanctuary in Tipp City, Ohio, was sentenced in Miami County Municipal Court on six counts of cruelty to companion animals.

We are thrilled to share that our Board President, Megan Moon, has been honored as the April 2025 recipient of the ‘Do Good for Dayton’ Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals who make significant positive impacts in the Miami Valley, inspiring others to contribute to the betterment of their communities.

In a heartbreaking case that has shaken animal lovers and advocates across Ohio, a man in Summit County has been arrested after allegedly cutting off the tails of three newborn kittens. The suspect, 57-year-old Bret Stalnaker, is now facing a felony charge of animal cruelty.

The heartbreaking story of “Peanut the Squirrel,” an Instagram-famous rescue squirrel, is sparking change in New York state law. Known for his charming personality and social media stardom, Peanut captured the hearts of thousands—but his unexpected death in 2024 has now ignited a movement to better protect animals in similar situations.

In April, we examined why it’s important to plan ahead for our pets.  Pet Planning benefits pets, the people who love them, and our communities.  Existing estate planning laws do not adequately provide for pets, but we can take deliberate steps to provide for and protect our pets by adding pet-specific terms to estate planning documents.   

The estate planning tools we can use to plan, provide for, and protect our pets include powers of attorney, wills, traditional family trusts, and pet trusts.  Each of these planning options will be discussed in this article series, starting with powers of attorney

At Ohio Animal Advocates, we’ve long believed in the powerful bond between humans and animals—and now, science is proving what pet lovers have always known in their hearts: animals don’t just make life sweeter, they help us heal.

A recent article by Ed Boks, The Healing Power of Paws and Whiskers, dives deep into the growing body of research showing just how profoundly companion animals impact human health—emotionally, mentally, and physically.

A new proposal at the Ohio Statehouse is sparking intense discussion among lawmakers, animal welfare advocates, and communities across the state. Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) is drafting legislation that would mandate euthanasia for dogs that seriously injure or kill a human during an unprovoked attack—removing judicial discretion that currently exists under Ohio law.

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.