Surfers Save Stranded Baby Great White

This baby Great White Shark was stranded on Venice Beach, CA and tangled in fishing line. Luckily, some good samaritan surfers come to the rescue.

'Padfoot' For Adoption

Forgotten: Harry Potter star Berry is looking for a new home

Homeless after Harry Potter: Canine movie star Padfoot needs a loving family (and they can even be muggles)
By Mary Mcconnell
Last updated at 3:27 PM on 26th September 2011

While Daniel Radcliffe has gone on to forge an illustrious career on the stage and screen, the fortunes of one of his Harry Potter co-stars have not been quite as lofty.

Black German shepherd Berry, known to millions of children around the world as Padfoot from Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban, is looking for a new home.

The ten-year-old mutt, who played the animal version of Gary Oldman's character Sirius Black and the godfather to Radcliffe's character Harry, can no longer be looked after by his owner, Paul Thompson.

Trained stuntman Mr Thompson, said he spends too much time away from home to give Berry the attention he deserves.

He told the Sunday Express he is also looking for a new home for Berry's life-long pal Porridge, a German Shepherd cross.

Porridge is also a star of the screen, with roles in The Bill and the TV adaptation of Zadie Smith's novel White Teeth but at the age of 13 the roles have now dried up.

Mr Thompson, said: 'I found myself spending a lot of time away from home. The dogs needed more attention then I could give. It was a difficult decision to make but one I had to accept was best for the dogs.'

The 52-year-old from Elstree, Herts, said he had arranged for the pair, who have been together since they were puppies and cannot be separated, to be fostered by animal re-homing charity German Shepherd Dog Rescue but so far no one has offered them a home.

For more information go to www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk

Screen star: Berry played the canine version of Gary Oldman in Harry Potter And the Prisoner of Azkaban

Friday Find

Today's Friday Find is a Keeshond named Reid. Reid loves sitting in his fosters lap, enjoys grooming, and likes meeting new people. He is being fostered with other Keeshonden as well as a cat, and is house and crate trained. Reid is special needs as he has a Grade V heart murmur which will require extra trips to the vet and medication to make sure he remains healthy and active. Reid is being fostered with Keeshond Lovers United, Inc.
Click here to learn how to adopt Reid

Keeshonden (plural for Keeshond) are a part of the Spitz family which includes other breeds such as the Pomeranian, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky to name a few. All Spitz types were originally bred as working dogs to be used for the purpose of hunting, herding, or sledging. Keeshonden are a medium sized Spitz that generally comes in wolf-sable coloration with distinct "spectacle" markings around their eyes. They are known to be the most people friendly and biddable of the Spitzes, making them quick learners, great with children, and wonderful companions.

Today is World Rhino Day

There are 5 species of Rhinoceros:
White
Black
Indian
Javan
Sumatran

3 of the 5 species are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List

Rhinoceros are in decline due to habitat loss and poaching of their horns. The horns consist of keratin and are thought to possess medicinal properties in some cultures creating a demand for them. There is no scientific evidence that they possess any healing properties.

Read more about the collaborative effort to stop Rhino poaching in South Africa

Yep, it's a Monday

Friday Find

Today's Friday Find is a lovely bonded pair of Peafowl. They are looking for space to roam in a rural area so their loud calls won't disturb the neighbors. Please consult your local Code Enforcement before filling out an adoption application. These precious Peafowl are being fostered by Sounds of Silent Spirits Rescue
Click here to learn how to adopt these Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl is the most beautiful of the Peacock species and is the national bird of India. They are forest birds that nest on the ground, but roost in trees at night. Peafowl are quite sociable and most will not stray far from home, but can also be kept in enclosures to ensure their safety. They are omnivores and enjoy dining on various plant parts, petals, seed heads, insects, and even small reptiles and amphibians.

6 year old digs up 160 million year old fossil

Emily Baldry stands alongside the 140 million year old fossil (Pic: SWNS)

by Ryan Parry, Daily Mirror 13/09/2011

LITTLE Emily Baldry beams with pride as she poses with a 160million-year-old fossil she dug up using a seaside spade.

The six-year-old unearthed the 130lb, 40cm ammonite after accompanying her father Jon on an archeological trip to Cotswold Water Park, Glos, last year. Now it has been carefully restored by experts and is to go on show at a local visitors’ centre.

The fossil is officially known as a Rieneckia odysseus – but Emily, of Chippenham, Wilts, has affectionately dubbed it Spike.

She says: “I took him to school and all my friends think he’s great.” Dad Jon, 40, said: “It’s an amazing find.”

Link to Story

Spirit Bear

Spirit Bear

In a moss-draped rain forest in British Columbia, towering red cedars live a thousand years, and black bears are born with white fur.

Read on.....

Dances with Horses

Amazing!

Hello, Monday!

9/11 SAR Dogs Remembered

The 9/11 rescue dogs: Portraits of the last surviving animals who scoured Ground Zero one decade on

Friday Find

Today's Friday Find is a "hairy hairless" Chinese Crested Dog named Gem. Gem was surrendered to the rescue because her owners became too ill to care for her. Her owners said that she is quite catlike in that she enjoys the companionship of her people, however she is not clingy and will also go off and do her own thing by herself. She is also housebroken and currently being fostered with Chinese Crested Rescue of Ontario
Click here to learn how to adopt Gem

Chinese Cresteds are thought to have descended from African hairless dogs, and were used to hunt vermin on ships. They greatly enjoy the companionship of their humans, so it is likely whichever activity you decide to do with them will be their favorite. They are adaptable, agile, lively, intelligent and affectionate.

Thar she blows!

Congrats to Harbor for having the world's longest dog ears

Friday Find

Today's Friday Find is a whopper: 150 guinea pigs! You read that correctly. These poor little guys were dumped at a SoCal shelter and quickly absorbed by area small animal rescues Wee Companions & Orange County Cavy Haven. Many of these guinea pigs are skinny, suffer from various health issues and illnesses, and/or are pregnant. The rescues are in desperate need of funding and supplies, so here are a few simple ways you can help out:

Local folks:
1) They are in need of anything and everything as far as supplies and food** go
2) Offer to volunteer and/or foster
3) Adopt 1 or 2 or 3 of course! :)

Non-local folks:
1) The easiest option would be to donate via Chip-In which will be divvied up between the rescues involved.
2) You may donate or ship items directly to the rescues
4) As the Chip-In link says, some will be transported to UT & AZ so keep an eye on your local piggy rescue if you live in one of those states and are looking for a new BFF!

Items needed includes bedding, guinea pig food**, timothy hay**, water bottles, food dishes, etc etc
**Food and hay brands accepted are: Oxbow or KMS Hayloft

Guinea pigs hail from South America where they play an important role in the culture. They are traditionally used in religious ceremonies, folk medicine, and also as a protein source. As pets, they make delightful companions. They are a social animal that prefers having company of their own kind, however can be housed singly as long as a significant amount of time is dedicated to providing attention. Guinea pigs are the most vocal of the rodents and make a variety of noises. They are also quite intelligent and are capable of learning tricks. To learn more about guinea pig care, check out Guinea Lynx.