Animals

Kitten season, when unaltered female cats begin giving birth to litters of kittens, is here. Programs like Operation Catnip, the largest university-based trap-neuter-return program in the world, is especially vital during the spring and summer months when a huge influx of kittens are born and brought into shelters.

Kind Kitty Rescue, a neonatal kitten rescue in Alachua County, cares for newborn kittens in need of specialized care.

The Institute of Public Safety at Santa Fe College is hosting crisis response dog training. Training is presented by HOPE-Animal Assisted Crisis Response, an organization that has provided its services nationwide for free since 2001. “Once a year we do a workshop,” said HOPE-AACR Florida area coordinator Terry Biehl, “where …

The wildlife sanctuary in Gainesville had to cancel one of its open house events during the pandemic -- a move that has strained the nonprofit facility's annual funding. All donations go directly to feed and care for the animals.

Carl Bovard, owner of Single Vision, calls his establishment an animal sanctuary. Others regard it as a roadside zoo. Located in Melrose, Florida, at the end of a long dirt road, the 10-acre facility is home to about 50 exotic species. Controversy arose after several pictures and videos of visitors …

Jim Williams never knew an animal would change his life. Williams served 20 years in the military and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He signed up for Patriot Service Dogs, an organization that pairs well-trained service dogs with veterans for free, about four years ago to find a service dog …

Patricia Garibaldi is accused of cruelty toward animals — her 15 cats — which were found living in “deplorable” conditions in her home: debris stacked to the ceiling, roaches in the cats’ food and water bowls, feces and urine on every surface. The decision, which will be made by Judge Meshon Rawls, was postponed until March 6. 

Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, the largest bovine farm sanctuary in the country, is a place where animal families find their forever homes. The Gainesville sanctuary was started by Erin and Chris Amerman and has 161 cows, 22 pigs, 10 donkeys, 10 horses, three water buffalo, two turkeys and one bison.