Behind the Breed: Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
As the smallest of retriever breeds, the Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever were bred as hunting dogs and originated in the Little River district of Novia Scotia in Canada. Nicknamed 'tollers' and originally called Littler River Duck Dogs, these dogs helped lure...
Oh Rats! How To Deal With Unwanted Pests In Your Chicken Coop
Having chickens is a lot of work but it can be so much fun. These birds end up having funny personalities and many lay some great-tasting eggs! While there are plenty of good reasons to have chickens around (eggs, their poop turns into great compost, they can help...
Shelter, Rescues, and Breeders: Oh My!
There are many different ways you can bring a new pet home. It's become more and more popular to adopt a rescue pet from shelters and rescue organizations and this is particularly necessary, as the ASPCA estimates that 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters each...
Behind the Breed: Shetland Sheepdogs
Also known as Shelties, this breed is the definition of a herding dog and have guarded their owner's gardens against hungry wildlife for quite some time. Like other herding dogs, Shelties are intelligent, take well to training, and love having a job like being a...
Are Zoos Good or Bad? The Ethical Considerations of Keeping Wild Animals in Captivity.
In the Pacific Northwest, there are ten aquariums and zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (eleven if you include the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada). In addition to being open to the public (now with restrictions because of Covid-19), these parks...
Fishers of the Pacific Northwest
These elusive, forest-dwelling animals are agile and swift climbers. Fishers look similar to their relatives, the weasels and Pacific martens, but are much larger in size and have a darker coat. These carnivores are roughly the size of a house cat and weigh 4.4-13...
Behind the Breed: Weimaraners
With a relatively tall stature and distinctive silvery-grey coat, Weimaraners are a gorgeous and fearless breed that love to spend quality time with their people. These dogs are intelligent and positive reinforcement training can be fun with them! While they can great...
Why Does My Cat Chirp And Chatter At Birds?
For owners of domestic cats, it's well known that our feline friends make a whole lot of noises throughout their life. Over the thousands of years they evolved and became domesticated, house cats learned that, in addition to other forms of communication, "speaking" is...
Sea Turtles of the Pacific Northwest
When I think of sea turtles, I think of more tropical waters, like off of the Hawaiian islands or in the Gulf of Mexico. This is for good reason, as sea turtles prefer the warm waters between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. In the western hemisphere, that area...
Behind the Breed: Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies and even the 'Tomboy Toy', are small but energetic dogs that thrive when given a job to do. Despite their size, these dogs are full of courage, confidence, and spunk in addition to being a bit high maintenance. Their size...
Flea And Tick Prevention And Treatment For Cats and Dogs
Fleas and ticks can be annoying but there are ways to prevent and treat these parasites!
The Different Types of Orcas
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are an iconic marine mammal, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to having complex social structures, deep emotional connections, and incredible intelligence, these mammals are predators that feed on a variety of fish...
Surviving Fourth of July Weekend
The Fourth of July is celebrated all around the United States with food, time outside, and fireworks in many places. While the day can be incredibly fun, many pets and wildlife don't enjoy the loud noises, smells, or even flashes of fireworks. Some say July 5th is the...
How To Become A Professional Dog Trainer
In this day and age, there are many ways to work with animals as a career and one such way is becoming a professional dog trainer! Training dogs is more than just teaching a dog to sit and high five, as you'll also need to work with the dog and their owners on...
How To Help Your Pets Survive The Summer.
Looking back over the decades, it's easy to tell how climate change has affected the planet, particularly during the summertime. With an increase in wildfires (both in severity and numbers) and an increase in temperature, summers can bring potential dangers to you,...
Five Ways You Can Help Pollinators
Like so much of the world, pollinators of all kinds are facing threats and declining populations. From rising global temperatures, habitat loss, pesticides, and so much more, these vital creatures are facing immense challenges. It seems utterly overwhelming but there...
The Problems For Pollinators
Pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, bats, and butterflies are all facing threats to their existence and many of their populations are on the decline. Between habitat loss, non-native and invasive species, modern agriculture, pesticides and herbicides, and climate...
How To Be A Beekeeper
For those who love bees and want to spend time with them, beekeeping can be a great hobby or even a profession! Humans have been keeping bees for roughly 9,000 years and collecting honey from wild bee colonies dates back even farther. For those with gardens or an...
Bats of the Pacific Northwest
Washington and Oregon are home to 15 different bat species and while these mammals are the primary carriers of rabies in the area, bats are an important part of an ecosystem and are vital pollinators too! These animals are the only flying mammals and like some other...
Pollinators of the Pacific Northwest
Largely unseen by humans, pollination helps both plants, pollinators, and people, making any and all pollinators incredibly valuable in any and all ecosystems they're a part of. Nearly 85% of all plants in the world need pollination to reproduce, and a significant...
Ways to Learn About Pollinators
Learning about pollinators is one great way to celebrate Pollinator week (or any time of the year!), as there is so much to learn about these fascinating and important creatures. There are films, podcasts, books, exhibits, smartphone apps, and distance learning...
Pollinator Week 2021: How to Support and Learn More About Pollinators
This week (June 21-27, 2021) is Pollinator Week! This annual event is celebrated all around the world as a way to learn about and support pollinators and their health. There are so many ways to get involved this week, like watching a relevant documentary, working in a...
Behind the Breed: Greyhounds
As the fastest dog breed in the world, greyhounds are one of the most iconic and loving breeds. Because of their long legs and narrow bodies, these dogs can run up to 45 miles an hour and there are plenty that end up in the racing industry. Despite their fast running...
Ten Career Paths Where You Can Work With Animals
I've been lucky enough to be around and work with animals of all kinds for much of my life. This passion and love for animals is a big reason why I started this blog! There are so many ways to work hands-on with animals, whether it's a career, a hobby, or...
Should My Cat Be Indoor Only? 5 Reasons To Keep Your Cat Indoors and 2 Myths About This Decision
Note, this post does include affiliate links that I may make a commission off of, at no cost to you. Domestic cats have been an important part of our lives for thousands of years; some cultures have even worshipped cats as deities. Nowadays, cats are one of the most...
Behind the Breed: Havanese Dogs
In addition to their expressive eyes and outgoing personalities, these toy dogs have long, silky hair and curly tail, making them fun, beautiful dogs. Havanese dogs are the only breed native to Cuba and named after the island's largest city, Havana. These dogs are...
Spirit Bears and The Great Bear Rainforest
Covering 6.4 million hectares (15.8 million acres) along British Columbia's north and central coast, this forest is home to vivid landscapes and a highly diverse collection of plants, animals, and marine life. The Great Bear Rainforest is just one of the temperate...
12 of the Most Dog Friendly National Parks in the United States
In the United States, there are roughly 63 national parks and many more national forests/monuments and state parks. The National Park Service was established in 1916 and currently manages 84 million acres of public land in the US. California has the most national...
Behind the Breed: Chow Chows
With a fluffy coat, blue tongue, and rounded triangular ears, Chow Chows are incredibly bright and dignified dogs. These dogs are compact and clean, as they're easy to housetrain and can be as fastidious as cats. Chows are also rather adaptable dogs and can take to...
Happy Pride Month! Here Are Some Pride Month Puppers and LGBTQ+ Folks Working in Pet Care and STEM
Commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots that happened in June, 1969, Pride Month is a dedication to celebrating and fighting for the entire LGBTQ+ community. Here at Animals of the Pacific Northwest, we wholeheartedly support LGBTQ+ folks (and fully...
What Are The Best Dog Breeds For Apartment Life?
In many cities and urban areas around the world, apartments are a common housing option. In fact, nearly 39 million people in the US live in an apartment, with cities like Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New York City having some of the most apartment dwellers in the...
Behind the Breed: French Bulldog
Also known as Frenchies, French Bulldogs are small, affectionate dogs with distinctive 'bat ears' and a playful attitude. While these dogs have their own look, they're descendants of English Bulldogs, terriers, and pugs and were bred to be the toy version of the...
A Few Misconceptions About Horses (And What’s True!)
In the world, there's only one species of domestic horse (and 400 different breeds) and our relationship with this animal goes back roughly 4,000 years. Before the industrial revolution and advent of engines, horses were essential and integral to many societies. They...
5 Pet Products That Will Make Your Life Easier
5 Pet Products That Will Make Your Life Easier
Behind the Breed: Icelandic Sheepdogs
As the only native domestic dog breed of Iceland, the Icelandic Sheepdog is well acquainted with cold weather and one of the 50 or so breeds classified as spitzes. Because of their history and thick coat, these dogs thrive in cold climates and as farm dogs but also do...
Endangered Species Day
Tomorrow (May 21st) is the 16th annual Endangered Species Day, a day dedicated to learning about, celebrating, and taking action to protect endangered species around the world. Endangered Species Day is celebrated the third Friday of May each year. Unfortunately, some...
Starry Nights: The Problem of Light Pollution
The next time it's nighttime where you are, go outside and take a look at the sky. What do you see? Can you see the moon? Are there stars out? What constellations can you see? With more artificial lights making their way into our lives, a significant amount of people...
Behind the Breed: Great Swiss Mountain Dog
The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a great companion for any active family or home. If you want a hiking partner, consider a Swissy!
6 Trail Dangers For Dogs: How to Keep Your Dog Safe While Hiking
Hiking with dogs is such a fun activity and a great way to tire your dog out! The Pacific Northwest is home to so many hiking trails in some truly gorgeous areas. Hiking is a great way to spend a day but there are some things to keep in mind when on the trails, as...
The Coastal Wolves of British Columbia
Along the coast of British Columbia, there are two unique wolf populations but the more interesting of the two is the coastal wolf. The coastal wolves are gray wolves that are found on mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island and have been known to feed on fish...
Behind the Breed: Chinese Shar-Pei
Shar-peis are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world!
Visiting one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders: The Painted Hills and the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Oregon’s Painted Hills are an amazing part of the state and can be found in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in central Oregon. Services are currently limited but you can visit trails and picnic areas within the monument with your dog or loved ones today!
May the Fourth Be With You! Star Wars Day Celebration – Pet Edition
Today is May the Fourth and because it sounds so similar to 'May the Force', it's Star Wars Day! Over the years, there have been plenty of people, pets, and other animals celebrating the day in fun ways. From Volkswagen commercials to Wookie Cookies to costumes, pets...
Behind the Breed: Spitz Classification
There are 50-70 different dog breeds, most of whom have origins in some of the coldest parts of the northern hemisphere, that have the spitz classification. These breeds are characterized by their wolf-like appearance, including their pointed ears, almond eyes,...
The Whale Trail: How to Whale Watch From Shore
The Whale Trail sites are great places up and down the West Coast to see marine life from land.