What’s Making Global Cat and Dog News Today?
The Best Pet Daily Round-up of News, Research, Opinion or Fun published about Dogs and Cats from around the world:
Australia (the conversation.com) Why cats meow at humans more than each other
In Brief: Cats, initially solitary creatures, have adapted their vocalizations to better communicate with humans, viewing us as their caregivers. This shift occurred as cats began living near human settlements about 10,000 years ago, attracted by the rodents these settlements drew. This adaptation is similar to experiments with domesticated silver foxes, where selected breeding led to friendlier and more docile animals over a few decades. Cats have also changed, showing traits like smaller brains and varied coat colors typical of domestication. They've specifically modified their meows to tap into human sensitivity to distress sounds, making it difficult for us to ignore their requests for food or attention. This interaction has led to a unique bond between humans and cats, characterized by mutual vocal adaptation and communication.
United States (CBS News) 4th of July fireworks safety tips for dogs and other pets. Anxiety symptoms to watch for and how to help.
In Brief: Research in the journal Science proposes using dogs as sentinels for human health issues, drawing on their close cohabitation with humans and exposure to similar environmental factors. Dogs, sharing our spaces, can help monitor the spread of diseases, exposure to toxins, and even social hardships, providing early warnings for human health concerns. This approach, akin to the historical use of canaries in coal mines, could enhance public health monitoring through improved data collection in veterinary settings. Establishing a program that utilizes veterinary data effectively could aid in early detection of human health epidemics, making dogs valuable allies in public health surveillance.
Turkey (Daily Sabah) Türkiye registers nearly 2.4M pets under microchip program
In Brief: Türkiye has registered over 2.3 million pets under a microchip program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, according to information from Anadolu Agency. The program, part of Animal Protection Law No. 5199, requires pets such as cats, dogs, and ferrets to be implanted with a subcutaneous microchip for identification. This registration helps track vaccinations, ownership changes, and other significant details. As of now, the registry includes 1.4 million cats, nearly 1 million dogs, and 41 ferrets. Pet owners had until June 30, following a declaration period ending December 31, 2022, to complete the microchip application without penalties. Moving forward, any change in pet ownership must be reported within 60 days, and pets traveling or transferred domestically must be registered and carry a passport. Administrative fines will apply for non-compliance.
Australia (ABC News) How a six-legged robot 'guide dog' could help millions of visually impaired people in daily life
In Brief: Researchers at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai are developing a robotic 'guide dog' to help visually impaired individuals navigate more independently. This six-legged robot, about the size of an English bulldog, utilizes cameras and sensors for navigation and communicates through AI-powered voice recognition. It can plan routes and recognize traffic signals, enhancing mobility for the visually impaired without the need for traditional guide dogs. This innovation addresses the scarcity of guide dogs in China, where only about 400 are available for nearly 20 million visually impaired people. The robot's design allows for stability and smooth movement, potentially revolutionizing assistance for millions if mass-produced like automobiles.
United Kingdom (Royal Mail) Celebrating our Canine Companions: New stamps and souvenirs featuring some of the UK's favourite breeds
In Brief: Stamps for purchase (see headline link)
