Animals

The Alachua County Fair may have ended a few weeks ago, but one of the events from the fair has remained a hot topic for Alachua County residents. The Banana Derby is an event that takes place at the fair every year where monkeys ride on top of dogs and race …

Michael Tamayo and a friend were picnicking by Lake Alice on Wednesday when an unexpected guest decided to join. An alligator crept up to the University of Florida students’ picnic blanket and started to chomp down on a sandwich. A bystander, Richard Reed Jr., caught the gator encounter on video, and at …

Alachua County Animal Services has been working to improve the release rate of the animals in their care; however, with cats reproducing throughout the year, an increase in the population of animals at the shleter has occured.

The number of bulls for sale this year at the Ocala Bull Show increased significantly, from 100 bulls to 165 in just one year. The increase comes following a change of date for the annual sale.

Betta fish deaths at a local Wal-Mart have raised concern from an Alachua County resident. However, PETA and betta fish experts say that the small containers that the fish tend to be kept in are not ideal for them in any store, because it makes them more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and sullied water.

Local dogs played, swam and strutted their stuff at the Ghoul and Drool Howl-O-Ween event in Gainesville on Saturday, October 24. The city's parks, recreation and cultural affairs department hosted the party for the pooches and their owners at the H. Spurgeon Cherry “Westside” Swimming Pool from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Though bear hunting is once again legal in Florida, not all residents support the decision. Across the state, people gathered to protest the hunt's opening day.

The Alachua County Humane Society recently started offering low-cost checkups and vaccines for pets. Wellness exams at the new clinic cost between $20 and $30, and vaccine tests are free, making it easier for residents to care for their pets.

The first annual Halloweener Derby Day was held Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park last weekend to help raise money for the Climb for Cancer Foundation. The event featured a dachshund race and costume contest.

Gainesville Pet and Rescue has reduced the price of black cats and black dogs up for adoption to debunk any superstitions or myths about the animals.