Animals

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]

University of Florida students probably aren’t thinking very much about the alligators who live in the ponds around their school. However, Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Sarah Samuels reports students should always be wary of encountering alligators on campus. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/alligators.mp3]

University of Florida students probably aren’t thinking very much about the alligators which live in the ponds around their school.  But WUFT-FM’s Sarah Samuels says students should always be wary of encountering alligators on campus, especially with the changing season. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/11/CampusAlligators.mp3]

Many people have seen the Gainesville Police Department’s Mounted Unit patrolling weekend and holiday crowds. But as WUFT-FM’s Tori Petry reports, these four-legged officers are more than just workhorses. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/11/MountedUnitWRAP.mp3]

Alachua County’s K-9 department has a very unique police partnership between two officers. As Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chrissy McLarty reports, some dogs are responsible for putting convicts behind bars, while K-9s help them serve time. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/ChrissysDogProjectFinal.mp3]

Neglect, hoarding and blood sports all fall under the category of animal abuse.  Two years ago the University of Florida paired up with ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to form the first veterinary forensic sciences program.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Kristin Hammel reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/KristinHammelProjectAnimalCrueltyProjectredo.mp3] (News …

You may be pulling tricks this Halloween, but make sure your pets don’t get into your treats. Gainesville Pet Rescue Assistant to Exective Director Lindsey Hidenburry says the biggest threats to animals are candy and pranksters. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/Hidenburry1.mp3] Hidenburry says to take your animal to a vet immediately if it gets …

The last of the cats rescued from Haven Acres in June are finding a new home today. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/KATVOICER.mp3] These remaining cats tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, which made them difficult to place in private homes.  Nearly 700 cats were rescued from the Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary, and have been …

Wild coyotes are present around the state, but they are a relatively uncommon site.  WUFT-FM’s Corey Matthew says that sight is not so unusual anymore. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/CoyotesWrap.mp3] Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Spokeswoman Karen Parker says area residents should never leave food outside that a coyote can eat, because it …