• Event to help more dogs. (Oklahoma City)
• Pet Tales: Sneaky squirrel jars couple with tit for tat. (Oklahoma City)
• Chihuahua serves as fire alarm for two men. (The Village)
• Dungy says Vick’s choices limited. (Indiana)
• Eighty pit bulls seized in raid. (Indiana)
• Wolf release raises questions. (New Mexico)
• Rachel Ray planning pet charity contest. (California)
• Help available for storm-phobic dogs. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Bones linked to animal. (Delaware County)
• Coming out of their shells. (Midwest City, page 1d)
• Katrina pet rescues led to tiffs. (Louisiana)
• Pet Tales: Dog has own “newspaper” route. (El Reno)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Animal workers helped reunite animals to their owners Thursday night, said Catherine English, superintendent of Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. About a dozen loose animals were captured and returned to their owners.

For more information about the wild fires, read our Breaking News Blog.

- Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Italy helps animals recover from quake.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Martha Stewart’s dog dies. (Pennsylvania, photo shown here)
• Defendant faces charges in slaying of 26 cattle. (Missouri)
• Bill puts a target on state feral hogs. (statewide)
• Livestock will take the stage at 95th annual youth expo. (Oklahoma City)
• Will perform for fish. (Oklahoma City, pages 4d)
• Animal emergency expert to be event speaker. (Midwest City)
• Dear Abby: allergic cousin asks host to board cats. (nationwide, page 5e)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Puppy killed in house fire. (Oklahoma City)
• Dog rescue brings partner for Webbers Falls officers. (Webbers Falls)
• St. Bernard saved from ice. (Montana)
• Healing animals needs to be vet schools’ focus. (Stillwater)
• See eagles being born. (Oklahoma)
• Creativity soars in artists’ works. (Oklahoma City)
• Eight states to guard predator canines. (northern United States)
• Horsemen take bankruptcy of track’s owner in stride. (Oklahoma City)
• Horse art on display. (Oklahoma City)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

• Animal’s bonding behavior linked to human actions. (national)
• Animals fall victim to Australian fire. (Australia)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

The tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma were a reminder to pet owners how important identification is.

Severe weather can rip down fences, pull down walls and leave pets confused and scared. At least one veterinarian is helping reunite lost dogs with their owners. The best way to ensure a pet is returned is by microchipping, he said. Collars and tags can sometimes be caught and torn by debris. Microchips stay under the skin and can be tracked by any vet or shelter official.

Here is some more information from the ASPCA about disaster readiness: 

• The Pet Evacuation Transportation Safety (PETS) Act, passed after Hurricane Katrina, allows owners to take their companion animals with them to shelters. Contact the shelter before you show up to make sure it’s OK. Some shelters are designed for animal owners.
• Practice getting your animal out of the house so it isn’t scary or difficult. This is especially important for cat carriers.
• Owners with pets that require special temperature settings, such as reptiles, need to have duplicates of everything, such as heaters. Fish owners should have a small, transportable tank ready.
• Socialize your pet as much as possible in case they come in contact with rescuers or other people at the shelter.
• Keep an emergency kit of your pets needs, such as any medicines and some food, that you can take with you. Be sure to keep a photo of you with your pet if you get separated and have to claim him.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

“Dr. Gary McNeill and his staff at the Rockwell Pet Clinic are looking after dogs gone astray because of storm damage. Three dogs had been brought to the clinic by 6 p.m. Two had collars but none had identifying microchips or tags.”

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Finally, there’s some good news from the wildfire catastrophe in Australia. A firefighter saved an injured koala.

The poor little gal was walked around on burned feet when she spotted a firefighter, who immediately called for water and help.

Koalas are known for their cranky nature despite their cute appearance. They rarely come down from the trees and usually aren’t interested in interacting with anyone. But in this case, the injured marsupial was desperate for help.

Animal welfare officers eventually picked up the koala and took her to a nature reserve where she’s healing well. (Word has it she already has an admirer – a male koala who keeps hugging her.)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll