WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Public records for county animal shelters show that in recent years, euthanasia rates for cats and dogs have, for the most part, been on a downward trend in North Central Florida.
Read More »Florida Lawmakers Seek to Curb Animal Abuse, Create Registry
Florida lawmakers recently filed House Bill 871, which would require convicted animal abuse felons to be entered into a public registry. Pet stores, humane societies and other animal shelters would be required to verify that potential purchasers or adopters are not on the registry.
Read More »Florida Votes 2016: Citrus County Commission District 1
This story is part of our guide, Florida Votes 2016, leading up to the Nov. 8 election. Check your voter registration status here.
Read More »UF Study Analyzes Negative Attitudes Toward Pit Bulls
A UF study led by veterinary professor Julie Levy found that participants incorrectly identified dog breeds 73 percent of the time. Mislabeling dogs as pit bulls may affect a dog's adoptability due to stereotypes or breed specific legislation restrictions.
Read More »Operation Catnip Launches Website, Educates On Trap And Neuter Methods
Gainesville non-profit dedicated to sterilizing and vaccinating stray cats creates a website to help other communities take care of un-owned cats.
Read More »Alachua County Animal Services Changes Policies For Foster Parents
Alachua County Animal Services lowered the requirements necessary to foster kittens. The move was made to keep up with the anticipated growth of kitten populations at local kennels.
Read More »Local Animal Shelters Have Developed Stricter Adoption Methods
Local animal shelters have developed stricter adoption methods to prevent indecisive pet owners from returning their animals, which causes a strain on the organizations and increases the likeliness of unwanted pets being euthanized.
Read More »Rabbit Rescue Fundraiser Aims For More Awareness, Less Baby Bunnies
Gainesville Rabbit Rescue hopes that by selling humorous shirts, they can not only help raise funds but also spread awareness. GRR hopes that by spreading awareness to promote spaying and neutering rabbits, they can avoid over-crowding their facility and control the local pet rabbit population.
Read More »New York Dog Reunited With Owner
A dog that disappeared from Newburgh, New York two years ago was found mid-September in the front yard of an Ocala, Fla. home.
Read More »Manatee County Animal Shelter Quarantined, Four Dogs Euthanized Due to Disease
Four dogs were euthanized and a Manatee County animal shelter was put under quarantine for a week due to canine parvovirus infections earlier this month.
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