Canine Cancer Detectives are for Real Julian Omidi looks into the intriguing topic of whether dogs can detect cancer in human beings. Can your dog’s nose find cancer in your body? Long supported by anecdotal evidence from pet owners, scientists are now collecting data in controlled studies that should tell us whether our suspicions are correct. In fact, a nonprofit organization, the InSitu Foundation, is dedicated to training canine teams that will do nothing but
Dr. Michael Omidi is an advocate for the ethical treatment of animals. Here he discusses the concept of nonhuman personhood for animals. There is a growing movement to grant some animals the legal status of nonhuman persons. This status would serve to protect animals in new ways, but what does it mean, exactly? To some, “nonhuman persons” may sound like an oxymoron. Others may see the phrase as a much more apt description of the
Some animal rights victories in 2014 Julian Omidi writes about some of the successes of the animal rights movement during 2014. It is important for activists to remember the victories. Today, Dec. 10, 2014, is International Animal Rights Day (IARD). Thousands of activists worldwide are gathered holding vigils and other events. We are remembering the suffering that has gone on for far too long. This is the thirteenth annual IARD and every year it’s bigger
How do whales help climate change? Dr. Michael Omidi talks about how giant whale fecal plumes could help to mitigate climate change. “Save the whales!” some people cry. But why should we? For one thing, saving these marine mammals could help curb climate change according to a new study in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. The study, titled Whales as Marine Ecosystem Engineers, focused on baleen and sperm whales, also known as the great
There’s no limit to the amount of joy pets can bring us, and their affection and companionship is incredibly important to pet owners. But caring for the health and welfare of these pets is equally important. Each year, thousands of cases of animal cruelty, loss, and abandonment are reported in the United States. While these cases are absolutely heartbreaking, one shelter in Pennsylvania is doing all that it can to provide help and care to