Animals

Saving a culture some feel may one day be extinct is just one of the goals of a 4-H group in Alachua County. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Caitlin Lawrence reports on how some students are receiving some great agriculture job skills as they also have fun with the animals they love. …

Alachua County will use Florida Week for the Animals to raise awareness and advance the number of adoptions this month. The Alachua County Humane Society Executive Director Eric Van Ness says this event might help increase the number of adoptions. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/Vanness2.mp3] He says the Humane Society is always working on …

And now a story that would make Bob Barker proud. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Deena Lewis reports, Alachua county’s “Operation Catnip” is offering free services to spay and neuter stray cats. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPDinaCatsFINAL.mp3] Operation Cat nip is preparing to nip the amount of stray and feral cats that are euthanised at its annual “Sunday Spay day.” …

Euthanasia numbers have dropped by 6,000 in the past 10 years.  As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sanika Dange reports, Animal Services are determined to see the pattern continue. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPEuthanasia.mp3] And nationally, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats brought into animal shelters are euthanized each year. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Jessica Becerra reports, …

Thoroughbreds, quarter horses and a variety of other breeds will be parading around downtown Ocala this evening as part of the “Horses, History and Heroes” event in downtown Ocala.  The Save the Marion Theatre Group is partnering with the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park to sponsor this 5 to 7 p.m. event …

The idea of being a rancher or taking care of horses may seem like a simple, peaceful kind of life.  But as Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis reports, some college students are finding out that’s not always the case: [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/RanchStoryRedo.mp3]

Although Florida black bears no longer need threatened species classification, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is still working to ensure numbers stay strong. Assistant Bear Program Coordinator Mike Orlando says a management plan needs to be put in place. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/12/orlando2edit.mp3] Area hunters voiced concern about this process at …

Marion County Animals Services continues to care for pets taken from unsanitary conditions last week. County spokesperson Elaine DeIorio says there were 28 dogs and 18 cats seized, which is not uncommon in the area. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/12/DeIorio2.mp3] She says the next step is file petition to custody of the animals so …

Marion County News Release Marion County Animal Services staff worked late into Wednesday night to take custody of 28 dogs and 18 cats that were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The animals lived in a Citra-area single-wide mobile home (16552 NE 45th Court) with their owners: Denise Decker, 44, …

 A trip to the doctor is not only becoming more pricey for the average Gainesville resident but for our four-legged friends as well.  WUFT-FM’s Nickelle Smith says the rising costs of veterinary services is affecting pet owners and vets alike. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/12/RisingVetCosts.mp3]