Petbarn breaks funding record

The Petbarn Foundation has surpassed its $1.3m fundraising goal, raising an extraordinary $2.1m through its annual Tree of Hope Appeal—making it Australia’s largest fundraising appeal for people and pets. The funds will benefit more than 90 pet-related charities nationwide, directly supporting organisations focused on mental health, animal rescues, homelessness, and domestic violence. This remarkable achievement […]

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An Emperor on Avian Anatomy: Frederick II and De arte venandi cum avibus.

As the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and king of both Sicily and Germany, Frederick II (1194–1250) was one of the most powerful figures of the High Middle Ages. He was a patron of the arts, a statesman, architect, scholar, poet and composer, as well as a speaker of Latin, Sicilian, German, French, Greek and […]

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Tasmanian vets call for end to greyhound racing

Between reports of animal abuse and cruelty, and a state government that directed $37m of taxpayer funds this year to support it, Tasmania’s greyhound racing industry has long been the subject of controversy. A petition presented to parliament in 2022, that called for the withdrawal of taxpayer funding, attracted more than 13,000 signatures.  In early […]

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Talking with Pussy: A Companion Book for Cat Owners from the Nineteenth Century

In 1895, cat-lover and self-asserted feline linguist Marvin R. Clark gifted the world with the powerhouse that is Pussy and Her Language. While the name might raise a few eyebrows today, Clark’s motivations were altruistic and motivated by his love of the species. With this work, he promoted the idea that cats could indeed communicate, […]

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Impact of growth rate on the welfare of broilers

Selection for the more efficient production of broilers has resulted in rapid growth rates. The aim was to review the existing knowledge on the effect of growth rate on broiler welfare. Genotypes with faster growth rates consistently demonstrate poorer gait scores and increased prevalence of disorders affecting their legs than slower-growing genotypes. Reduced mobility places […]

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