Category: News

Illinois Added More Than 4,000 New Coronavirus Cases Over Weekend

by Myrtle Machuca on September 28, 2020 in News

ILLINOIS — State health officials over the weekend announced more than 4,000 new cases of the coronavirus — 2,441 on Saturday and 1604 on Sunday — and another 39 deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Saturday marked the 4th time in a week the state added more than 2,000 new cases in a single day.

The statewide totals now stand at 287,930 confirmed infections and 8,601 known deaths. Another 2,489 probable cases and 244 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

Carroll County: 1 male 80s
Cook County: 1 male

30 adoptable pets get ‘courtside’ seats at NBA playoff game

by Myrtle Machuca on September 26, 2020 in News

On Tuesday, the NBA scored a lot of points with fans of animal rescue.

During Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets, the broadcast cut to 28 dogs and two kittens and their fosters filling virtual courtside seats, with an announcement that they were all “100% adoptable and 100% adorable” and a link to learn more about adopting them.

The pets are being fostered by families around the country for Best Friends Animal Society and the nonprofit’s rescue partners.

Valerie Dorian, chief development officer for Best Friends, a national animal welfare

Children’s Nature Retreat Reopens After Valley Fire Evacuations

by Myrtle Machuca on September 24, 2020 in News

ALPINE, CA — An Alpine-based animal sanctuary already impacted by the coronavirus pandemic reopened to the public Thursday after evacuating more than 100 animals due to the devastating Valley Fire in eastern San Diego County.

The Children’s Nature Retreat, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families, reopened for reservations only.

The 20-acre animal sanctuary is home to 22 different species and 58 distinct breeds of livestock and exotic animals. The domesticated and exotic animals at the nonprofit have been either rescued or adopted from previous owners who could no longer care for them.

“It was

Millions of animals from emerging disease hotspots are imported into UK, study finds

by Myrtle Machuca on September 22, 2020 in News

Millions of wild animals are being legally imported into the UK from emerging disease hotspots, it has emerged, prompting a leading animal welfare charity to warn that the practice is risking another public health crisis.

Animals including African pygmy hedgehogs, snakes, lizards and tortoises are transported to the UK to be sold as exotic pets from Africa, Latin America and Asia in their hundreds of thousands, according to a new study from World Animal Protection.

While legal, the practice is condemned by campaigners as cruel, and the charity has warned that it

Slug killer will be banned across the country because of risks to hedgehogs and birds, ministers announce

by Myrtle Machuca on September 19, 2020 in News

The pellets are toxic to wildlife - Getty — The pellets are toxic to wildlife – Getty

A popular and lethal slug pellet is being banned by ministers after campaigners warned it could pose fatal to garden predators such as toads and hedgehogs.

Metaldehyde is a very effective slug poison, which often smells like sweet molasses but kills the gastropods which eat it.

Not only does this reduce the prey for the animals which eat slugs and snails – including hedgehogs and toads – it can build up to toxic levels in these animals, as well as pets and birds, if eaten.

Wildlife campaigners have pushed for a ban