MemphisPixNews.com/pets

ANIMAL LAW · OCT. 19

Pet owner sues MLGW over dog shooting

(Oct. 19) Bryan McGarah filed suit Thursday against MLGW after a revenue-protection employee shot and killed his four-year-old dog, Snow, Sept. 10 outside his north Shelby County home, Action News 5 reported Friday. McGarah says Snow was friendly; MLGW says the dog charged the employee and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office concluded the shooting was justified.

The suit invokes Tennessee’s “T-Bo Law”, which permits up to $5,000 in noneconomic damages when another person unlawfully, intentionally or negligently causes a pet’s death. McGarah’s claim and MLGW’s defense remain to be decided.

ONGOING LOCAL RESCUE APPEAL · OCT. 13

Rescue Seeks Help With Ana’s $12,000 Vet Bill

(Oct. 13) Dogs 2nd Chance continues promoting an appeal for Ana, whose pneumonia treatment included five days in intensive care at Memphis Veterinary Specialists and a bill exceeding $12,000, the rescue says. The fundraiser began June 29 and names her Anna. The organization lists donation options; this is an ongoing appeal, not a new hospitalization announcement.

Background video: WREG’s Live at 9 on Dogs 2nd Chance, shared by the rescue.

View Ana’s photo and appeal · Fundraiser

MEMPHIS ADOPTIONS · OCT. 13

ADVANCE NOTICE · OCT. 31

(Oct. 13) Memphis Animal Services will hold its free Monster Mash Oct. 31, noon–3 p.m., at 2350 Appling City Cove. The shelter’s official notice invites families to wear costumes, trick-or-treat with local businesses and meet adoptable dogs and cats.

MEMPHIS RESCUE FUNDRAISER · OCT. 13

Howloween Fundraiser Supports Local Dogs

(Oct. 13) All 4s Rescue League will hold Howloween for the Hounds Oct. 24, 6–10 p.m., at Memphis Heritage’s Howard Hall, 2282 Madison Ave. The fundraiser supports its work helping dogs and their owners across the Mid-South. Entry costs $50 per person or $90 per couple, including food and two drinks per guest; a DJ and silent auction are planned, according to the organizer.

View the organizer’s event pictures · Tickets and details

CHEETAH CUBS · OCT. 13

Cheetah Cubs on Camera

(Oct. 13 BenQQ) Five healthy cheetah cubs were born Oct. 5 to first-time mother Zura at the Smithsonian’s conservation campus in Front Royal, Virginia, Smithsonian reported Friday. Keepers say the 5-year-old mother is attentive and the cubs are active and nursing frequently.

Readers can watch the family on Smithsonian’s live Cheetah Cub Cam.

Watch live: Zura and her five cubs →

ANIMAL RESCUE · OCT. 13

Hunter Charged After Rescue Donkey Is Killed

(Oct. 13 BenQQ) A hunter faces charges of negligent use of a firearm and hunting within 300 yards of a residence after Angelique, a donkey at Hasty’s Haven in Belton, S.C., was shot and killed Sunday, PEOPLE reported today. The hunter said he had aimed at a deer. State wildlife authorities urged hunters to identify their targets and check what lies beyond them.

CONSERVATION · OCT. 13

Paraguay Builds a Plan to Protect Tapirs

(Oct. 13 BenQQ) Smithsonian scientists helped Paraguay develop a national plan to protect lowland tapirs, large plant-eating mammals that spread seeds and help forests regenerate, Smithsonian reported today. The plan outlines 105 conservation actions addressing habitat loss, hunting, road deaths and other threats.

ZOO TRANSFER · OCT. 11

Young giraffe moves from Memphis Zoo to Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg Zoo says Rhaisi, a young male reticulated giraffe, arrived there Wednesday, Oct. 7, after transferring from Memphis Zoo. WDAM reported Oct. 8 that the nearly 11-month-old giraffe is about 10 feet tall, weighs about 730 pounds and joins females Alberta, known as Bertie, and Grace.

The zoo says the transfer is part of the Species Survival Plan, which coordinates participating facilities to maintain a healthy giraffe population. Hattiesburg Zoo has temporarily paused giraffe feedings and barn experiences while Rhaisi settles in.

RESCUE FUNDING · OCT. 10

Dogs 2nd Chance warns it faces closure

Dogs 2nd Chance, an all-volunteer rescue serving Memphis and the Mid-South, says it faces closure. The organization says it has no shelter facility or paid staff and depends entirely on donations and volunteers to move dogs from high-risk shelters and the streets into foster and adoptive homes.

The rescue’s Oct. 10 Mutt Strut 5K has passed. Its official website lists ways to adopt, foster, volunteer or donate. The archived Mutt Strut listing provides background on that fundraiser; do not use it as a current event listing.

ADVANCE NOTICE · NOV. 8

Humane Society lists Nov. 8 cat café

The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County will hold Fall for Felines: An Autumn Harvest Cat Café from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at 935 Farm Road. The all-ages event includes coffee and hot chocolate, autumn crafts and games, time with adoptable cats, local vendors and giveaways.

Admission costs $15, including entry and a beverage. Tickets are limited and proceeds benefit shelter cats. Guests may also bring cardboard scratchers, baby blankets, cat cave beds or pâté cat and kitten food, according to the Humane Society’s official event listing.

CAT FUNDRAISER · OCT. 7

Halloween kitten yoga set for Oct. 23

The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County will hold Snuggles & Stretches: Halloween Edition from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at 935 Farm Road. Adoptable kittens will roam during a gentle yoga class; no yoga experience is required. Participants should bring water and a mat.

Tickets cost $25 and benefit the Humane Society. Advance registration is required because space is limited; a virtual-support option is also available, according to the organization’s official event listing.

LOCAL WILDLIFE · OCT. 3

Zoo cameras track wildlife across Memphis

Memphis Zoo and community partners have deployed more than 30 cameras across the city to study how wildlife uses urban green spaces, as revealed by the Wolf River Conservancy’s description of the research. The project joins the national Urban Wildlife Information Network and aims to help people and animals coexist.

The Conservancy’s Sept. 29 update highlights the zoo’s research as part of its work connecting residents with local wildlife and shared green spaces.

ZOO DEVELOPMENT · OCT. 3

Memphis Zoo plans permanent stingray habitat for 2027

Memphis Zoo plans to open Stingrays at Mangrove Cove in 2027, bringing back its formerly seasonal stingray experience as a permanent exhibit. The zoo says visitors will be able to touch stingrays and observe sharks and other aquatic species.

The habitat will explain how mangrove ecosystems shelter marine life. The zoo lists the exhibit as included with regular admission, with stingray feeding available for an additional fee; it has not posted an exact opening date on the exhibit page.

SHELTERS · BACKGROUND

Animal services extends beyond dogs and cats

MAS says it serves pigs, goats, horses and chickens as well as dogs and cats. Its 2025 impact report lists 7,813 animals admitted and 5,210 pets placed in new homes. Those are annual totals, not current shelter counts.

The shelter’s adoption listings provide a starting point for families seeking an animal. Check directly for current availability and care requirements.

ANIMAL WELFARE · RESOURCES

Help with food can keep a pet at home

MAS offers a Pet Resource request form and donated pet food when available. The Humane Society’s resource page also lists a pet food pantry. Availability and eligibility differ; contact the organizations before making a trip.

FALL ALLERGIES

Fall itching? Memphis vet points to ragweed and mold

Ragweed pollen and mold from damp leaves can trigger fall flare-ups, Southern Crossing advises in its Sept. 9 pet-care report. Paw chewing, persistent scratching, irritated ears and excessive grooming deserve attention; fleas and infections can produce similar signs.

The Memphis clinic suggests wiping paws and coats after walks and washing bedding regularly. Persistent itching, sores or repeated ear trouble call for a veterinary exam. Southern Crossing treats pets at 614 Minor St.

GROOMING

Keep fall coats brushed; tailor grooming to the dog

Memphis groomer Dawg Team advises regular brushing to lift loose fur and dirt and prevent mats. Its care guide says grooming frequency depends on coat type: long or curly coats may need more attention than short coats.

For owners who need care at home, Bark & Mane, formerly Aussie Pet Mobile, lists mobile dog and cat grooming across Memphis and nearby suburbs. Ask the groomer about coat needs, handling and current pricing.

DOG WALKING

A midday walk can fill the school-day gap

For families balancing school and work this fall, 901Petsitting lists recurring midday dog walks and drop-in care in Arlington, Lakeland, Bartlett and other Memphis-area communities. The company says each walk includes fresh water and a photo update.

It also lists Adventure Hikes and Sniffaris. Before arranging care, confirm neighborhood coverage, the visit length, your dog’s exercise needs and current fees directly with the provider.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Keep Halloween candy and open doors away from pets

Chocolate, sugar-free candy containing xylitol and swallowed wrappers can turn Halloween into an emergency, AAHA warns. Keep treats out of reach, give pets a quiet room away from the front door and use costumes only if they allow easy breathing, movement and vision.

If a pet may have eaten something poisonous, seek veterinary advice immediately. MVS lists 24-hour emergency care at 555 Trinity Creek Cove in Cordova; call 901-624-9002 for triage.

AFFORDABLE CARE

Two local spay and neuter options

The Humane Society lists $65 dog surgery (age 16 weeks+) and $50 cat surgery (12 weeks+ and 3 pounds) for qualifying owners receiving government assistance. Matching photo ID and proof of assistance are required; extra services may cost more.

SPAY Memphis lists standard surgery at $100 for dogs and $60 for domestic cats, with a $10 booking deposit applied to the balance. Appointments are for owners who cannot afford a full-service clinic; check grant discounts, eligibility and additional charges before scheduling.

IDENTIFICATION

$5 microchips at MAS

MAS lists $5 microchips with registration during public hours, without an appointment. A chip identifies an animal when scanned; it does not track its location. Keep the registered phone number and address current.

WILDLIFE

Found a wild animal? Get species-specific help

A young animal alone may still be cared for by its mother. TWRA’s licensed rehabilitator directory matches help by species and lists Shelby County providers, including Out of the Woods and the Mid-South Raptor Center. Call before transporting an animal.

For deer, TWRA’s guidance is to leave fawns where found; its directory says deer must not be transported or relocated. Ask TWRA for guidance on an injured deer.

CHAINED DOGS

Taking Memphis Dogs Off Chains

All 4s Rescue League helps owners with doghouses, food, veterinary support and spay/neuter assistance. Its Oct. 24 Howloween fundraiser supports this outreach. Use the organization’s contact page to ask about needs, volunteering or help for a dog.

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY

Unity Organizes Around Animal Impact

Unity for Animals fosters dogs and cats between shelters and rescue placements, and shares information about surrender alternatives, spay/neuter, vaccines and pet care. The all-volunteer organization accepts support through its website.

HUMANE ADVOCACY

Memphis Group Pushes Humane Education

Animal World USA works through advocacy, humane education and community campaigns, including adoption events and programs involving schools, shelters, public officials and animal-welfare organizations.

WILDLIFE HABITAT

767 More Acres Protected

Wolf River Conservancy’s July 30 announcement describes the transfer of 767 protected acres to Tennessee to expand a public Wildlife Management Area in the Wolf River watershed. The land protects wetlands, connected wildlife habitat and outdoor access. This is background on completed conservation work.

LOCAL WILDLIFE

Wolf River Supports 250+ Bird Species

Wolf River Conservancy says the watershed supports more than 250 breeding and migrating bird species along with foxes, bobcats, beavers, bats, amphibians and other Mid-South wildlife.

WETLANDS

Major Conservation Group Calls Memphis Home

Ducks Unlimited’s current conservation overview reports more than 20 million acres conserved across North America and more than 1 million acres in each of fiscal years 2024–2026. The Memphis-based organization links wetland restoration with wildlife habitat, water quality and flood resilience.

ANIMAL ADVOCATES

Team Memphis Builds a Rescue Network

Team Memphis Rescue & Support seeks adopters, foster homes, volunteers and donations. Foster caregivers give dogs temporary homes while the rescue works toward adoption; visit its current listings and apply before planning a meeting.