Man Marries Dying Cat

A new study shows the bond between owners, cats is intense

(NEWSER) - If a dog is a man's best friend, then a cat just might be a woman's. A new study shows that the relationship between a cat and its owner is more intense than previously known, actually mirroring a human-only bond—particularly when the owner is female. Cats attach to humans, especially women, as social partners. Why? For food, yes, but also affection, Discovery News reports. Since women are more likely to interact with their feline companions, cats in return are more likely to approach female owners. More»

Video, anecdotes support notion of interspecies bond

(NEWSER) - Do dogs and whales share a mysterious special bond? Yes, according to Discovery News writer Jennifer Viegas. For proof, she offers the YouTube clip above and some anecdotal evidence from Carrie Newell, who runs Whale Research EcoExcursions. Newell often brings her dog on her whale watching expeditions, and she reports that the quadruped frequently appears to interact with the whales. More»

With the numbers rising, all kinds of options are available

(NEWSER) - Health insurance for pets is getting just as tricky as insurance for humans. With the cost of pet medical care rising, along with the number of insured pets, a dizzying range of options is suddenly available—complete with choices on deductibles and depth of coverage. Some policies cover hereditary conditions and alternative treatments like acupuncture, while more traditional ones focus on accidents, checkups, and shots, reports the Wall Street Journal . More»

Baby rhinoceros rejected by its mother will be raised by humans

(NEWSER) - A rhinoceros born Sunday in Germany is poised to become that country’s next cute and cuddly animal sensation, Der Spiegel reports. The as yet unnamed baby rhino, already 128 pounds, will live at the zoo in the city of Münster and be raised by humans after its mother rejected it. The 18-year-old mother, Emmi, had killed two of her offspring previously, and was acting distraught during the birth. More»

(NEWSER) - The Berlin Zoo’s prized polar bear, Knut, isn’t going anywhere, Der Spiegel reports. Officials there will pay $600,000 to a rival zoo to settle an ownership dispute. Given Knut's bankability as a bona fide world star, it's a bargain. The bear, not yet 3 years old, is estimated to have brought the Berlin zoo $7.4 million since his birth. His image and trademark are worth an estimated $8.3 million. More»