Part of the ancient mystery of the makeup of the modern Western dog has been solved by a team led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Several thousand years after dogs originated in the Middle East and Europe, some of them moved south with ancient farmers, distancing themselves from native wolf populations and developing a distinct genetic profile that is now reflected in today’s canines.

These findings, based on the rate of genetic marker mutations in the dog’s Y chromosome, supply the missing piece to the puzzle of when ancient dogs expanded from Southeast Asia. The study results are published online this month in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution... Read More

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A Sacramento pug rescue group is reaching out to animal lovers in hopes of providing a much needed surgery for one of their precious pugs.  

Eight year-old Mija (Mee-ha) is a playful pug who loves to snuggle. She was rescued by PugSavers, a Northern California pug rescue group, after her owner, who loved her dearly couldn't afford special care for her diabetes. Mija's foster family has been taking great care of her until she finds her forever home, but recently her condition has worsened causing blindness in both of her eyes. 

It has been recommended by a specialist that both of Mija's eyes be removed to help with her diabetes and alleviate what has now become a painful condition.

Dr.

Neglected dairy calves rescued by California sanctuaries
Bay Area Indymedia
Animal Place, which operates two facilities - a 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley, CA and a 60-acre farmed animal adoption center in Vacaville- and Farm Sanctuary which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America ...