The 5-month-old Chihuahua (maybe terrier) mix is melting hearts across the Valley after being rescued from a local shelter, where he was waiting with a severely injured eye that ultimately had to be removed.

Related Story: Maltipoo Rescued From Severe Tick Infestation Now Recovering, Ready for

Now on the mend and weighing in at a mighty 7 pounds, Mijo is expected to grow to about 15 pounds, tops. But don’t let his small size fool you — his personality is larger than life.

“He is seriously the best puppy ever,” Mell Garcia of Mell’s Mutts said. “He’s beyond sweet and absolutely has no clue he’s missing an eye.”

Mijo’s easygoing attitude and boundless affection make him a perfect fit for just about any home.

Whether it’s a bustling family or a quiet apartment, he’s ready to bring joy, snuggles and a whole lot of tail wags.

After all, when you’re as perfect as Mijo, love really is blind.

To adopt Mijo or see other available dogs, visit Mell’s Mutts.

Prospective adopters must submit an adoption application for review to ensure the best match for each pup.

The post Mijo Proves Love Is Blind and That One Eye Is More Than Enough appeared first on GV Wire.

This athletic girl is ready to go go go, especially in her quest for the gold on the Olympic feather-stick team!

Her great confidence makes her super fun and friendly and not a bit worried even mixing with her foster mom’s big cats. Among all her buddies, her sister Uma was her favorite and first choice for play times and cozy naps. Uma has been adopted and we need that magic for Ursula!

She’s adorably licorice black on her topside, from the tips of her ears, to her magical moo markings, to the tip of her tail, and divinity white all on her silky soft underside — except for her cute little black chinny chin chin!

Ursula and her siblings were rescued from a horrendous living situation and brought to safety at The Cat House on the Kings. Thankfully we had a foster with space that was able to provide the care that they needed to recover, grow, and thrive.

With her happy spirit, mellow personality, and companionable vibe, darling Ursula hopes she’s the sweet girl for you, especially since all of her siblings have been adopted.

To adopt Ursula or see other available cats and kittens, visit The Cat House on the Kings.

All adoptable animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas, and litter-box trained. And, 30 days of pet insurance is included with an adoption.

The nonprofit Cat House on the Kings is California’s largest no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center.

The post Ursula Is Beautiful, Athletic, and Seeking Your Companionship appeared first on GV Wire.

Countless dirty secrets swirl around the way animals on factory farms live, but an even uglier one may be the way they sometimes die.

“If everyone had to work a day in a meatpacking plant, these slaughterhouses would not exist,” said Ian Packer, 36, an undercover investigator from Florida. Packer should know: He worked for two months late last year at Manning Beef LLC, a slaughterhouse in Los Angeles, and he took hard-to-watch videos of animals that in some cases appear to be alive as they are cut up.

“I looked in the eyes of cows who could feel every slice of the knife as their ears were cut off and their faces were skinned, the workers holding the cows in place while they gasped for air and struggled to move away from the pain,” said Packer, who investigated on behalf of a nonprofit called Animal Outlook. “Watching those animals be butchered alive will haunt me.”

The great majority of livestock and poultry, to be sure, are not butchered alive — and the owner of the Manning slaughterhouse denies that it ever happens at his site. Some of the videos are open to debate, as it can be hard to discern whether an animal is jerking from pain or from postmortem reflexes. But to me at least, the video and testimony raise fundamental questions about industry claims of “humane slaughter.”

Trump’s Downsizing May Mean Less Oversight

The situation is now poised to get worse, for the Trump administration’s downsizing of the federal government may mean less oversight than ever of the slaughter industry.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting unnecessary red tape, empowering businesses to operate more efficiently,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last month. Cutting red tape is great, but the department is also allowing permanent increases in assembly line speed in certain slaughterhouses, adding to the risk of animals being processed before they die. The department also dissolved two food safety advisory panels, including one on meat and poultry inspection.

Cattle are supposed to be stunned and rendered insensible to pain with a bolt or bullet in the head before they are processed. But the stunning does not always work properly. In those cases, Packer said, he sometimes saw conscious animals hoisted upside down, bled and skinned even as they struggled and showed signs of pain.

Anthony DiMaria, the owner of Manning Beef, flatly denied this. “There’s no way an animal can be hoisted up alive,” he told me. He noted that there are federal inspectors working in his plant, empowered to shut it down if they see such a violation.

The problem, according to Packer, is that the inspectors moved around the plant and mostly weren’t there to see live animals being hoisted. And inspectors sometimes do take action: In 2022, the Department of Agriculture suspended the Manning slaughterhouse after inspectors observed a worker hoisting an animal that was still apparently conscious — and inspectors said that was the sixth incident of incomplete slaughter in about a month.

I’m no expert on animal sensibility. But Lester C. Friedlander, a veterinarian who worked for 10 years in slaughterhouse inspection, reviewed Packer’s videos and said that a number of the animals shown being hoisted and cut were still alive and responding to pain.

There can be disagreement. I showed several of the video clips to another expert, Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, who has worked with the industry to design livestock handling systems. In one case, she said the animal in the video was dead, and in another she couldn’t be sure.

4% of Animals Require Second Shot Before Death

The Meat Institute says that its standard is that 96% of animals should be rendered insensible after one shot in the head with a bolt, which still means that 4% require a second shot or, critics say, may even be at risk of being processed while alive.

Animal welfare may seem an odd thing to write about when our country is at a historic juncture and facing enormous risks. But current political challenges shouldn’t let us lose sight of every other issue, including the systematic brutality that we tolerate in our food industry — or its scale, with some 300 chickens, cattle, pigs or sheep slaughtered in the United States each second on average.

Some day, I suspect, we will wonder how we could have allowed so many animals to endure such profound suffering. As a onetime farm boy who raised sheep, cattle, geese, chickens and other animals, I understand that these aren’t just industrial cogs but animals with personalities not so different from our dogs and cats.

I’ve written about how the slaughter of pigs can go wrong, causing them to suffocate slowly. I’ve documented how chickens on the assembly line sometimes are scalded to death in boiling water. We have evolved a system that is a triumph of efficiency, providing Americans with cheap protein and holding down grocery bills. But all this comes at a monumental cost in animal suffering.

Laws and inspections have led to progress in slaughter conditions over the decades, and more could be done: It would help if an inspector was constantly observing animals being stunned and making sure they are insensible when they are hoisted and cut into. By my calculations, that would cost less than one-tenth of a cent per pound of beef.

What I keep thinking is this: If you torture one animal, you’re arrested and considered a psychopath. But if you abuse millions of animals in a systematic, industrial process, you’re hailed for your business acumen. That’s an uncomfortable contradiction at the heart of modern dining.

—

Contact Nicholas Kristof at Facebook.com/Kristof, Twitter.com/NickKristof or by mail at The New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018.)

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Nicholas Kristof/Damon Winter
c. 2025 The New York Times Company

The post What Some Animals Endure Before We Eat Them appeared first on GV Wire.

The tiny Maltipoo, known by rescuers as Grove, is on the mend and looking for a fresh start after a harrowing ordeal left her covered in hundreds of ticks.

Believed to be about 2 years old, the small white dog was found last week in dire condition and rushed to a local veterinarian, where it took hours to remove the parasites.

“They were literally eating her alive,” said the rescuer who brought her in. The rescuer said that she was so weak, but you could see she still wanted to fight.

Veterinarians gave her fluids and ran bloodwork to assess the toll the infestation had taken on her health. Now safe and healing, the pup is showing signs of her sweet, gentle personality.

Related Story: Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home

A bit shy around people at first, she quickly warms up and becomes a cuddly companion. She also enjoys the company of other dogs and has a charming, bouncy gait that one rescuer described as “like a baby Clydesdale.”

The Maltipoo is now in foster care while she continues to regain her strength and awaits a permanent home.

To adopt Grove or see other available dogs, visit Mell’s Mutts.

Prospective adopters must submit an adoption application for review to ensure the best match for each pup.

The post Maltipoo Rescued From Severe Tick Infestation Now Recovering, Ready for Adoption appeared first on GV Wire.

This orange-and-white boy has a taste for adventure and is always exploring like it’s his own personal takeout menu. Wonton loves people more than his feline friends and will happily soak up all your attention — no delivery charge necessary.

When three little kittens were found by a local human nurse, without a mama cat, without a caretaker, she stepped in to help them. We are ever so grateful to “finder fosters” who understand what a juggling act it is to care for all those lives in need of basic necessities in order to survive.

Working with The Cat House on the Kings, our nurse hero fostered the litter until they could be placed into another foster home.

Wonton is a little chatterbox, too, always placing his “order” for playtime or cuddles. Whether he’s batting a toy around solo or having a one-on-one play session with you, Wonton is always ready to spice up your day.

If you’re craving a playful, vocal companion with a side of sass, Wonton is your guy! Are you ready to add this adorable “dish” to your home?

To adopt Wonton or see other available cats and kittens, visit The Cat House on the Kings.

All adoptable animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas, and litter-box trained. And, 30 days of pet insurance is included with an adoption.

The nonprofit Cat House on the Kings is California’s largest no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center.

The post Wonton Serves up a Big Dish of Playful Companionship appeared first on GV Wire.

Since she gets along well with both dogs and cats, and is energetic and well-behaved, she would likely thrive in a household where she can get plenty of interaction and activity.

A family setting with room to play and maybe even other pets would be ideal for her. Lilly does have a broken tail at the base that she had when she arrived in our care most likely from birth. It doesn’t cause her any discomfort or problems.

Lilly was found in the field by Valley Children’s Hospital and after an exhaustive search for her humans provided no results, she was placed into a foster home with The Cat House on the Kings. She received all of her medical, dietary, and grooming needs so that she could go up for adoption.

Lilly would benefit from grooming every few months to keep her coat nice and mat free. Being so young and as she is a breed that does well with a job, she will benefit even if that is just playing with someone so she knows she is being a good pup.

How to Adopt Lilly

To adopt Lilly or see available cats and kittens, visit The Cat House on the Kings.

All adoptable animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas, and litter-box trained. And, 30 days of pet insurance is included with an adoption.

The nonprofit Cat House on the Kings is California’s largest no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center.

The post Lilly Is a Young Terrier Who Loves Dogs, Cats, and People appeared first on GV Wire.

The dog, now called Sam (Sam A016441), was pulled from the water on March 2 after emergency crews responded to a call about a distressed animal.

Following the rescue, Sam was taken to the Fresno Animal Center, where she was evaluated. Staff found no microchip, and her owners have not been located, the Fresno Animal Center said in a social media post.

Shelter officials sought a foster home quickly, as Sam appeared terrified in the kennel. Jesse Buglione and his wife stepped in to help.

“When we brought her home, she was very timid around us and our other pets,” Buglione said. “Within a day or two, she really started opening up to us, and now she won’t leave our side when we’re at home.”

Sam Needs More Than a Stuffed Gingerbread Man to Keep Her Whole

Sam, estimated to be between 2 and 3 years old, has settled in well. She carries around her favorite toy — a stuffed gingerbread man reluctantly donated by the family’s other dog — and has bonded with their two cats.

“She treats them with the mix of fear and respect that they deserve,” Buglione said.

Described as sweet and highly adaptable, Sam has quickly learned to walk on a leash, enjoys car rides, and responds more to attention than treats. She is housebroken and rarely barks, only doing so when startled.

“She is honestly as good of a dog as I could hope for, considering everything she went through and how afraid of people she was when we met her,” Buglione said.

Sam remains in foster care as she continues to adjust to her new surroundings. Those interested in adopting her can contact the Fresno Animal Center.

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Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email. 

The post Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption appeared first on GV Wire.

Punkin’s story is one of survival. He spent his early years in a home with 90 other dogs, a situation discovered by animal control after he and the other dogs were found living in deplorable conditions. Along with the 89 other dogs, Punkin was taken to a shelter where he was understandably terrified.

Having spent his life fighting for food and enduring the squalor of his former environment, Punkin is still adjusting to the comforts of a more secure life. He is very frightened of people and, when overwhelmed, will use his little teeth to express his fear.

Related Story: Meet Millie: The Sweetest Dog You’ll Ever Meet

Although Punkin’s journey has been a difficult one, his rescuers believe there is a loving home for him. He will need a family with adults who have experience or understanding of fearful dogs. A household with another dog will also be important, as Punkin finds comfort in the company of fellow canines.

Once Punkin is comfortable in his new environment, his cherry eyes will be treated, with the cost covered by his adoption fee. His team is committed to not further stressing him by addressing this issue too early in the process.

Related Story: Billy the Aussie Who Refused to Let a Leg Slow Him Down Needs Forever Home

Punkin’s adoption will require patience and care, but he has the potential to thrive in the right home. For those interested in giving this special dog a second chance, Punkin is waiting.

To adopt Punkin or see other available dogs, visit Mell’s Mutts.

Prospective adopters must submit an adoption application for review to ensure the best match for each pup.

The post Dog Found in Horrid Conditions Now Seeks Loving Home appeared first on GV Wire.

Related Story: Billy the Aussie Who Refused to Let a Leg Slow Him Down Needs Forever Home

The clinic will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and offer distemper/parvo and rabies vaccines, microchipping, and information on spay/neuter services and dog licensing at no cost.

Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Related Story: Meet Millie: The Sweetest Dog You’ll Ever Meet

Gates may close before 12:30 p.m. if capacity is reached.

To avoid traffic congestion, attendees are advised not to arrive before the event start time.

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Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email. 

The post Fresno Animal Center to Hold Free Drive-Thru Vaccine Clinic for Your Dog appeared first on GV Wire.

In a news release, the Justice Department said Tuesday that a 21-count indictment against Johnson, 54, had recently been unsealed in federal court in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was arrested March 20 and arraigned the same day before being released, according to court documents.

Johnson, who played for the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants in the 1990s, is facing felony charges of possessing and trafficking dogs for use in an animal fighting venture. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Previously Pled Guilty to Dogfighting Charges in 2024

He previously pleaded guilty to state dogfighting charges in 2004 and received a five-year deferred sentence.

“The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals for their twisted form of entertainment,” Kash Patel, the FBI director, said in a statement. “The FBI views animal cruelty investigations as a precursor to larger, organized crime efforts, similar to trafficking and homicides.”

Courtney R. Jordan, a lawyer for Johnson, declined to comment Wednesday.

Investigators say Johnson “selectively bred ‘champion’ and ‘grand champion’ fighting dogs — dogs that have respectively won three or five fights” as part of his criminal enterprise, which was known as Mal Kant Kennels and was based in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Haskell, Oklahoma.

He marketed and sold stud rights and offspring from winning fighting dogs to others involving in dog fighting, authorities said, promoting their bloodlines.

Federal prosecutors said they had obtained text messages, emails and money transfer app transactions that show that Johnson had profited from his dogfighting venture.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Neil Vigdor
c. 2025 The New York Times Company

The post LeShon Johnson, Ex-NFL Running Back, Ran Major Dogfighting Kennel, US Says appeared first on GV Wire.