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Indianapolis Star
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Buster the bulldog, Geno the cat win $10K in 'America's Favorite Pet' contest
Buster the bulldog from New York and Geno, a domestic shorthair from New Jersey have beaten more than 400,000 contenders to secure their spot as "America's Favorite Pet" in a new competition hosted by professional fundraiser Colossal for animal welfare organization Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Buster, who lives in the Queen borough of New York is "famous for his soccer-ball-spiking headbutts, snores, and love of roasted chicken, captured hearts with his gentle, comedic charm," according to his profile. On the other hand, Geno is described as an "inquisitive, brave (and) treat-motivated feline." Both winners took home a prize of $10,000 and were announced the cover stars of "Modern Cat" and "Modern Dog" magazines. The annual online, voting-based competition, now in its 5th year, primarily works to raise funds for life-saving animal welfare support. This year it managed to raise $8.3 million for PAWS. In its five-year history, the competition has raised more than $22 Million for PAWS, making it "one of the largest philanthropic pet contests in the U.S.," Colossal said. "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet hosted the competition. Colossal, in a news release, said the competition has a "dedicated 'host' partner for every campaign" and Eric, "a dog-lover and animal rescue advocate" was selected for this year's edition. Rankings: USA TODAY ranks the Best Veterinary Hospitals for National Pet Week 2025 Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. To participate in the competition, pet owners submit photos and profiles of their pets. There is no registration fee, and each entrant can only submit one pet, according to Colossal rules. Over a course of nine weeks, pet advance through the competition based on how many votes they receive. Each voter earns one free vote every 24 hours while additional votes can be cast via donations with each vote costing $1. The total proceeds from this wholly benefit PAWS. There is one dog winner and one cat winner, and each winner is chosen based on which dog and which cat earn the most votes.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Buster the bulldog, Geno the cat win $10K in 'America's Favorite Pet' contest
Buster the bulldog, Geno the cat win $10K in 'America's Favorite Pet' contest Show Caption Hide Caption TikTok trend has dogs confused then excited when they see their owners on walks! Dog owners are walking by their pups on walks without them to see if they will recognize them, and the reactions are hilarious! Buster the bulldog from New York and Geno, a domestic shorthair from New Jersey have beaten more than 400,000 contenders to secure their spot as "America's Favorite Pet" in a new competition hosted by professional fundraiser Colossal for animal welfare organization Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Buster, who lives in the Queen borough of New York is "famous for his soccer-ball-spiking headbutts, snores, and love of roasted chicken, captured hearts with his gentle, comedic charm," according to his profile. On the other hand, Geno is described as an "inquisitive, brave (and) treat-motivated feline." Both winners took home a prize of $10,000 and were announced the cover stars of "Modern Cat" and "Modern Dog" magazines. The annual online, voting-based competition, now in its 5th year, primarily works to raise funds for life-saving animal welfare support. This year it managed to raise $8.3 million for PAWS. In its five-year history, the competition has raised more than $22 Million for PAWS, making it "one of the largest philanthropic pet contests in the U.S.," Colossal said. "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet hosted the competition. Colossal, in a news release, said the competition has a "dedicated 'host' partner for every campaign" and Eric, "a dog-lover and animal rescue advocate" was selected for this year's edition. Rankings: USA TODAY ranks the Best Veterinary Hospitals for National Pet Week 2025 Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. How are the winners chosen? To participate in the competition, pet owners submit photos and profiles of their pets. There is no registration fee, and each entrant can only submit one pet, according to Colossal rules. Over a course of nine weeks, pet advance through the competition based on how many votes they receive. Each voter earns one free vote every 24 hours while additional votes can be cast via donations with each vote costing $1. The total proceeds from this wholly benefit PAWS. There is one dog winner and one cat winner, and each winner is chosen based on which dog and which cat earn the most votes. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
5 things to consider before buying a pet
(WGHP) — This is National Pet Week. It's intended to promote responsible pet ownership, but how do you know if your children are ready for a pet, so you don't end up doing all the work? In Mommy Matters, we have five signs veterinarians say parents should consider before adding a pet to the family. First, see if your child is comfortable around animals. If they get nervous when they're near a dog or cat, or if they act too roughly with it, they might not be ready for a pet. They also need to respect an animal's space. Getting too close can provoke fear in some pets. Once your child understands that animals have feelings, they're mature enough to be a pet owner. Kids may be ready for a pet if they can handle completing simple household chores alone. Can they put away laundry or brush their teeth without constant reminders? If they can't, that sets you up for another daily battle to get a child to care for a pet. Your child is ready for a pet when they are willing to wait and find the right fit for them. For example, if the family is seldom home, a high-energy dog may not be a good choice. A cat that may need less attention may be a better alternative. If the family's gone most of the day, consider a pet that's more active at night, such as a hamster. Your child should also be mature enough to understand that the decision to get a pet is a family choice. Ask if everyone is ready to pick up the slack if someone doesn't do their part. Make sure everyone knows what they'll be required to do. And finally, make sure you're ready for the responsibility of a pet, too. If your child doesn't feed or walk the dog, it will fall to you. Make sure you have the time and energy — and the finances — to take care of your pet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
USA TODAY ranks the Best Veterinary Hospitals for National Pet Week 2025
USA TODAY ranks the Best Veterinary Hospitals for National Pet Week 2025 Americans are a pet-loving bunch with more than 60% owning at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The sheer numbers are enormous: Americans treasure almost 90 million dogs and 74 million cats, along with fish, reptiles, birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits and poultry. A full 88% of those owners say they view their dogs as members of their family, as do 84% of cat owners. And they want what's best for their pet, including food, toys, grooming tools – and medical care. The AVMA estimates that dog-owning U.S. households spend $580 per year on veterinary care, cat-owners $433 and $531 for other pets. But finding great veterinary care is not always easy. In some areas, America faces a shortage of veterinarians and of veterinary hospitals. The AVMA has even published a working definition for 'veterinary care deserts.' Given this, finding a good veterinary hospital where pets can receive high-quality treatment from licensed veterinarians is more critical than ever. To help pet owners find such high-quality care, USA TODAY has partnered with market research firm Statista to create our first annual America's Best Veterinary Hospitals rankings. Criteria used to make the list included: Assessment by veterinary professionals Assessment by pet owners. Surveys posted on USA TODAY for veterinarians and for pet owners When appropriate, accreditation The main body of assessments was gathered from an independent survey of more than 5,000 U.S. veterinary professionals and pet owners who had either visited or received services from a veterinary hospital in the past three years. The respondents evaluated several hospitals and all together more than 11,000 evaluations were collected between January and March of 2025. For the list, a veterinary hospital was defined as a facility operated by a licensed veterinarian for diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries in large animals and pets, offering services like surgery and emergency care. Together, these touchpoints were scored for a final assessment to create the list of 300 healthcare providers, resulting in the 2025 list of America's Best Veterinary Hospitals.
Malaysian Reserve
01-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
AVMA spotlights benefits, responsibilities of pet ownership during National Pet Week 2025
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This National Pet Week, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is highlighting an uplifting source of emotional support for millions of Americans: their pets. During National Pet Week (May 4–10), the AVMA is encouraging pet owners to take comfort in a source of joy, companionship, and mental health support that's often right at their feet. A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) confirms what pet owners have long known: pets make our lives better, with 81% of respondents reporting that their pets had a positive impact on their mental health. Among them, 65% specifically credited their pets with reducing stress and anxiety, while adults 65 and older were especially likely to recognize the emotional benefits of pet companionship. During National Pet Week, APA is supporting AVMA's efforts and also encouraging social followers to take a #Paws4MentalHealth. 'Whether it's a wagging tail, a calming purr, bursts of play or just quiet companionship, pets bring us comfort, connection and happiness—often when we need it the most,' said Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the AVMA. 'But it's important to remember that this bond is a two-way street. National Pet Week is our opportunity to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and remind everyone of the importance of providing them with the love and care they need to thrive.' Established in 1981 by the AVMA and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, National Pet Week highlights the essential needs of pets and promotes responsible pet ownership through daily themes, educational resources, and celebrations across the country. Pet owners and veterinary professionals can visit for helpful tips, tools, and materials—including the official National Pet Week Toolkit—to make the most of the celebration. Each day of National Pet Week focuses on a different topic essential to responsible pet ownership. This year's topics include: Sunday – Choose well: Commit for lifeWhile the prospect of adding a pet to the family may be exciting, it's important that people are not impulsive or careless when bringing a new pet into their homes. Select the pet that's right for your family's lifestyle and make a commitment to that pet for its life. Even if you have already welcomed a pet into your home, your veterinarian can help you better understand the social and healthcare needs of your individual pet. View AVMA's resources on selecting a pet for your family. Monday – Behavioral health: Habits for happy petsKeep your pet happy and healthy by promoting positive interactions. Try creating an environment that encourages natural behaviors by introducing puzzles, games and interactive toys, or learning new skills. Activities like target training are wonderful options for dogs and cats—and even other pets, like fish! You can also promote good behavior by helping your pets get comfortable in new situations by safely exposing them to a variety of interactions with other animals, people, places and activities. View AVMA's resources on socializing dogs and cats, as well as a video on socializing pets. Tuesday – Nutrition and exercise matterWith more than half of dogs and cats in the United States considered overweight or obese, and humans plagued by this issue as well, the AVMA encourages pets and their owners to get regular exercise— together. This not only improves cardiovascular health, maintains a healthy weight, and supports good mental health for both owner and pet, but it strengthens the human-animal bond. For tips on walking, running, or starting another exercise program with your pet, visit and watch AVMA's National Pet Week video on the importance of proper pet nutrition. Wednesday – Love your pet? See your vet!Everybody loves their pet, yet many pet owners do not take their pets to the veterinarian unless they are visibly sick or injured. Pets often hide signs of illness. It's really important to have regular check-ups with your veterinarian, as it is vital to catching health problems early. Not only can early treatment mean better health for your pet, it can also save you money. The cost of preventive care usually pales in comparison to the cost of treating the disease or issue in more advanced stages. Regular exams detect problems early, before they become more serious and more expensive to treat. View AVMA's money tips for caring pet owners. Thursday – Travel with careMany people are planning on traveling this summer, and traveling with pets requires advance planning and coordination to keep everybody safe. Whether you're taking a short car trip or flying to another state or country, getting your pet safely to your destination requires special planning and precautions, as well as a plan for the pet once you reach your destination. Plan ahead and know exactly what's needed when you travel with pets of different species. View AVMA's pets in vehicles resources, and see AVMA's National Pet Week video on safe pet travel. Friday – Emergencies happen: Be preparedWe never know when or where an emergency will happen. As a pet owner, you need to plan ahead, and include your pets in your family's emergency plan. Know what to do in case of an emergency, how to assemble first aid and emergency kits and how to properly identify your pets so your family can be reunited if you're ever separated. Make sure your pets are microchipped and always wearing owner identification on their collar as well. Watch AVMA's 'Emergencies Happen: Be Prepared' video. Saturday – Plan for their care: Give them a lifetime of loveThanks to better care, pets are living longer now than they ever have before—and as pets get older, they need extra care and attention. Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets before they become advanced or life-threatening. They also can improve your pet's chances for a longer and healthier life. Visit the AVMA's page for senior pets to find out what is 'normal' and what may signal a reason for concern regarding an aging pet. Pet owners are encouraged to visit for more information on ways to celebrate their pets and resources to help them provide appropriate care. The AVMA is also offering an official National Pet Week toolkit for veterinarians to utilize in observing the week with their staff and clients. For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or msanfilippo@ About the American Veterinary Medical Association Serving more than 108,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. FOR MORE INFORMATIONMichael San FilippoMedia Relations ManagerAmerican Veterinary Medical AssociationCell/text: 847-732-6194msanfilippo@
