Latest news with #Retriever
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
California tech firm, formerly valued at $650M, declares bankruptcy
A California tech firm once hailed as a rising star has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Wag! — the online marketplace for dog walking and other pet services — took off during the on-demand boom of the 2010s. At its peak the company had a valuation of $650 million, and was used by celebrity A-listers such as Mariah Carey and Kendall Jenner. However, the company has now been reduced to a value of less than $6 million. After years of mounting debts and failing to turn a profit Wag! filed for bankruptcy in Delaware on July 21. Core services including gig‑work dog walking, pet sitting, pet insurance, and its veterinary platform will continue to operate through the restructuring, the company said. If a judge approves its plan, Wag! will be delisted from the stock market and taken private by one of its biggest creditors, Retriever. Another major factor in Wag!'s demise was a loan taken out from Retriever in 2022 that stated it had to have a certain level of cash on hand at all times. This year the company fell below that reserve and failed to find other creditors for a cash injection. 'Through the Restructuring [Wag] will emerge from these Chapter 11 Cases a stronger company, with a more sustainable capital structure that is better aligned with [Wag's] present and future operating prospects,' Davidian wrote in the legal documents. Earlier this week another anima;-related company was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, Florida has now closed after more than fifty years. The park was raided by police after five dolphins died between October 2024 and May while performing shows. 'These are not isolated incidents — they are signs of failure, and they demand immediate action,' Senator Jay Trumbull said in a Facebook post.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
California's once-prestigious tech company worth $650M files for bankruptcy
A California tech firm once hailed as a rising star has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Wag! — the online marketplace for dog walking and other pet services — took off during the on-demand boom of the 2010s. At its peak the company had a valuation of $650 million, and was used by celebrity A-listers such as Mariah Carey and Kendall Jenner. However, the company has now been reduced to a value of less than $6 million. After years of mounting debts and failing to turn a profit Wag! filed for bankruptcy in Delaware on July 21. Core services including gig‑work dog walking, pet sitting, pet insurance, and its veterinary platform will continue to operate through the restructuring, the company said. If a judge approves its plan, Wag! will be delisted from the stock market and taken private by one of its biggest creditors, Retriever. 'Monthly revenues declined rapidly after March 2020 as a result of the Covid pandemic' CFO Alec Davidian wrote in court filings. As workers were trapped at home and able to walk their own pets business curtailed overnight. Davidian said the company lose $69.5 million between 2022 and 2024. Another major factor in Wag!'s demise was a loan taken out from Retriever in 2022 that stated it had to have a certain level of cash on hand at all times. This year the company fell below that reserve and failed to find other creditors for a cash injection. Since its debt obligations come die in August the company was 'facing a dire liquidity crisis' and filed for bankruptcy protection. Under its restructuring proposal Wag! would eliminated its 2022 debt with Retriever. 'Through the Restructuring [Wag] will emerge from these Chapter 11 Cases a stronger company, with a more sustainable capital structure that is better aligned with [Wag's] present and future operating prospects,' Davidian wrote in the legal documents. Earlier this week another anima;-related company was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. CFO Alec Davidian said the company faced a 'dire liquidity crisis' in the bankruptcy filing Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, Florida has now closed after more than fifty years. The park was raided by police after five dolphins died between October 2024 and May while performing shows. 'These are not isolated incidents — they are signs of failure, and they demand immediate action,' Senator Jay Trumbull said in a Facebook post. Parent company The Dolphin Company has since filed for bankruptcy protection, seeking $8 million to restructure. Economic strain is also hitting pet owners as more are giving up their animals to shelters as they can no longer afford to keep them.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow woman (22) banned from keeping animals for 30 years
Sarah Cullen (22) with an address at Asgard Close, Arklow, Co Wicklow, entered guilty pleas at Arklow District Court yesterday to a total of four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including one of obstructing an authorised officer. Judge David Kennedy imposed a 30-year disqualification from keeping all animals, a nominal €500 fine, and ordered that Ms Cullen pay €2,620.35 in ISPCA costs. The court heard evidence from ISPCA chief inspector Conor Dowling yesterday, who described how he called at the defendant's home on April 9, 2024, which was in response to a report received from a concerned member of the public. Mr Dowling spoke with Ms Cullen, who brought two dogs to the front door: a back and white Collie named Sky and a six-month-old Golden Retriever pup named Romeo. Inspector Dowling said he could immediately see that both dogs were in poor condition and told how he picked up the Collie and was alarmed at how light she was. He said he could feel every bone in her body and described her as "a bag of bones". The inspector made the decision that he was going to bring both dogs for veterinary assessment and would seize them if necessary. While he loaded the Collie into his vehicle, the accused brought the Retriever pup into the house and would not permit the inspector access to it. The court heard that Mr Dowling advised the defendant that he would seek a search warrant to gain access to the dog if necessary. He said she seemed more concerned about who had made the report and said that she wanted to make a complaint about the officer. Mr Dowling told how he gave the accused a business card and advised how she could go about making a complaint, adding that, as he left the property, Ms Cullen said: 'I'll have your job you f***ing c***'. ADVERTISEMENT Collie Sky was taken to a local vet, where she was found to weigh just 7.5kg, but veterinary records showed that she had been presented for vaccination two years prior, at which time she was almost double that weight, at 14.8kg. The vet assigned her a body condition score of one out of five and described her as 'skin and bone'. The court heard how Inspector Dowling obtained a search warrant the following morning, on April 10, and returned to Asgard Close accompanied by gardaí. Contact was made with the defendant, and it was established that she and the Retriever pup Romeo were at her sister's home. Therefore, the officials went to that address and the second dog was seized. Inspector Dowling said that the pup's belly appeared swollen, and he formed the opinion that he had been fed a lot since the previous day. He said the pup vomited during the journey to the vets, producing a large volume of barely digested dog food. The court heard that during the veterinary examination, Romeo was found to weigh 13.5kg, while the vet records showed that he had lost 2.9kg in the previous 11 weeks despite being a growing pup. The vet noted muscle wastage on the back legs of the dog, and said that the dog should weigh over 20kg, describing him as 'skin and bone'. Mr Dowling told of how he later conducted an interview under caution with the defendant, during which she offered no real explanation for the condition of the dogs. She claimed that Sky was a picky eater and acknowledged that she had noticed they were losing weight, but claimed not to think it was as severe as it was. The court heard that both dogs increased in weight over the following three weeks without any medical treatment. Sky almost doubled in weight, increasing from 7.5kg back to her previous weight of 14.8kg, and Romeo gained 25pc of his initial weight, from 13.5kg to 18kg. Both dogs recovered fully and were later surrendered and rehomed. Under cross-examination, Inspector Dowling confirmed that, other than the poor physical condition, there were no other signs of neglect or abuse. When asked by Judge David Kennedy whether the dog's coats were dirty, suggesting that they had been living in a poor environment, the inspector told the Judge that that was not the case. In mitigation, the defendant's history of depression and anxiety disorders was highlighted, as well as her difficult upbringing. The court heard that she 'panicked' when the ISPCA inspector arrived and that she was 'sorry for her behaviour'. On passing sentence, Judge Kennedy wondered 'how it got so bad' and said that he would have thought that the defendant's family "would have been some guidance'. Mr Dowling said that the "poor physical condition of Sky in particular was really concerning". "For a dog to be half of its ideal body weight is exceptional. I'm relieved that I got there in time because I'm not sure how much longer she would have gone on for," he said. "Romeo's future development could have been severely compromised from being deprived of nutrition at such a young age. "Thankfully, due to the wonderful work of our animal care staff, both have recovered fully and are enjoying life in their new homes," he added.
Buzz Feed
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Marvel Heroes, Ranked By Who'd Actually Pay Rent On Time
1. Peter Parker (Spider-Man) – 10/10 That Guy, Tries SO Hard 'With great power comes... great rent anxiety.'Peter would sell his blood to pay rent early. He triple-checks Venmo requests, apologizes for paying 2 minutes late, and still brings cookies to the Relatable broke college student Super responsible (thanks, Aunt May).Downside: Occasionally forgets what day it is... because multiverse. 2. Steve Rogers (Captain America) – 9/10 Pays In Advance 'A deal's a deal, ma'am.'Cap sets reminders. Cap budgets. Cap pays rent with a firm handshake and a smile. He also mows the neighbor's lawn without Golden Retriever with a 401(k).Strength: Treats rent like a moral Still writes checks. On paper. 3. Sam Wilson (Falcon/Captain America 2.0) – 8.5/10 'I'm not Tony. I budget.'Sam knows the value of money, and respect. He Venmos the exact amount, includes the correct emoji (🏠), and always splits bills Responsible guy who gently shames you for Uber Eats Financially Tries to get everyone on spreadsheets. 4. Bruce Banner (Hulk) – 6.5/10 Pays When Calm 'You wouldn't like me when I'm budgeting.'When he's in his zen phase? Perfect tenant. When he's stressed? Your wall has a Hulk-sized hole and no one got Peaceful until the Wi-Fi bill Quiet roommate, great at Might smash the smart meter. 5. Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) – 6/10 Pays In Alternate Realities 'In my universe, I already paid.'Wanda means well. She believes she paid. But it turns out she just mind-controlled the leasing office to think she did. Reality is Emotionally dramatic Venmo Could hex the rent No one remembers the due date. Including her. 6. Tony Stark (Iron Man) – 4/10 Thinks Rent Is For Poor People 'Can I buy the building instead?'Tony forgets rent exists. Or pretends it doesn't. He shows up 20 days late in a Bugatti, tosses you a check for $500K, and says 'Keep the change.'Vibe: That rich friend who never has cash Technically never Literally too rich to care. 7. Loki – -100/10 Probably Burned Down The Apartment 'I am burdened with glorious... eviction notices.'He's charming, mysterious, and absolutely NOT paying you back. Loki forged the lease, created a fake landlord, and summoned raccoons as Chaotic bisexual You'll still invite him to You're now being sued by your HOA and Asgard. Scott Lang (Ant-Man) – Love on 10, Forgets, But Means Well 'Oh no no no, I thought it was next Friday!'He's trying, okay? He's got a kid, a criminal record, and one functional AirPod. Rent is due, and Scott's still Venmoing someone from his burner Adorably broke single dad Will do odd jobs to cover his May shrink and hide during landlord visits. Which Marvel hero is your roommate vibe?
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Escaped dog in UK fished out of waters after 36 days of adventure
Escaped dog in UK fished out of waters after 36 days of adventure A missing dog in southeast England was found more than a month after escaping her fosterer's home, evading searchers to cover about 160km and even swimming to an island in the southwest . The dog, a five-year-old Retriever cross named Amber, went missing on April 25 in Bramshaw, a small village in Hampshire, according to a Facebook post by local rescue service KS Angels Rescue. The Guardian reported that Amber was rescued as a street dog in Qatar and moved to Britain. However, she went missing after only one night with her foster family in Bramshaw. After she went missing, searchers put up a Facebook page dedicated to updates, where users offered tip-offs about possible sightings and its whereabouts. An April 29 post on the page described Amber as 'extremely nervous and terrified of humans'. It also urged people not to call out or try to approach as she may run away. However, despite several sightings, rescuers were unable to find her. A breakthrough came on May 27 , when National Trust Brownsea Island posted an alert on Facebook, saying it had found a tan, medium-sized dog swimming to the island in Dorset. A resident on the island put out food every night after spotting the dog, non-profit organisation Lost Dog Recovery UK South said in a Facebook post detailing Amber's journey. Amber was reportedly sighted by the crew of a passing vessel while attempting to swim back to the mainland, and was first mistaken for a seal. Lost Dog Recovery UK South said the crew fished her out of the waters and wrapped her in a blanket, intending to get her to a veterinarian for a microchip check. On June 1, KS Angels Rescue posted an update, saying Amber has been found. 'Massive thank you to the very kind men on the boat for getting her safely on board and looking after her so well!' it wrote. Four days later, it said in another update that Amber has 'settled in nicely' after being returned to her fosterer. 'She's been very, very tired after her adventures and slept a lot but the vet has given her a clean bill of health apart from the need to gain a few (kilogrammes) which is to be expected,' it wrote. 'She's starting to bond with the foster family and seeking out love and cuddles. She is not allowed in the garden without a lead for obvious reasons!' It also said that Amber is 'eating four meals a day and getting spoiled rotten' while continuing to recover from her ordeal. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
