Thankfully, there have been more and more efforts to crack down on these facilities and give these dogs a second chance. Recently, one humane society scored a huge victory, rescuing dozens of puppies from mistreatment.

 According to the Humane Society of Missouri, their Animal Cruelty Taskforce responded to reports about a “substandard breeder” in Douglas County called Cedarcrest Kennel. 

The breeder had reportedly been repeatedly cited for violations, and appeared on the “Horrible Hundred” list of the worst puppy breeders.

  Cedarcrest had faced multiple lawsuits from the state’s Attorney General, and last summer the facility’s owner, Marilyn Shepherd, received a restraining order for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act, including operating without a ACFA license. 

  “Cedarcrest Kennel has been featured in national media as an example of why Missouri consistently ranks as the worst state in the country for sub-standard puppy mills,” the HSMO wrote in a press release. This week, the owner’s license was finally revoked for good, allowing the Humane Society to intervene and bring the puppies to a better place. 

 Working alongside local authorities, the Task Force reportedly rescued 42 dogs. Breeds included Irish Terriers, Schnauzers and Yorkies. 

  “The dogs and their pups now have a chance to finally live a normal life instead of being forced to produce litter after litter of puppies for profit,” said Kathy Warnick, the president of the Humane Society of Missouri.
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Dogs have been known to improve people’s wellbeing and mental health. And people of all walks of life rely on their dogs for comfort — even major Hollywood actors. Recently, one superhero star opened up about the difference his beloved pet has made in his life. 

 British actor Henry Cavill is best known to audiences for playing the iconic hero Superman in recent hit blockbusters, from Man of Steel to Justice League. He’s also appeared in Mission: Impossible — Fallout and Enola Holmes.

But even “superheroes” need a little help themselves, and Cavill recently opened up about the friend who has given him the most support: his dog, Kal. 

 Fans who follow the star on social media are familiar with the actor’s 8-year-old American Akita: Cavill is not shy about sharing photos of his pet pal online. In a post from last year he described Kal as “part dog, part bear, part pig and all soul,” and called him an “absolute gem.” 

  “I’ve had him since he was 10 weeks old and we have been through thick and thin together,” Cavill wrote. “We actually spend so much time together, I’m not sure who imitates who anymore!”

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Recently, Cavill made an appearance on the British morning talk show Lorraine — and brought his adorable dog along. 

 Fans were delighted to see Cavill’s dog by his side as he chatted with host Lorraine Kelly — and the actor opened up about just how much the pet means to him. 

  “He really is my best friend, we go everywhere together,” Cavill said, according to Daily Mail.

 

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He explained that Kal has helped him greatly with his mental health: “He has saved my emotional and psychological bacon plenty of times. We have an incredibly close bond,” Cavill explained. 

  “He senses it when I’ve got my own stuff on, he’ll be close — he’s almost always close, but he’ll be closer.”

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With a bond that close, it’s no surprise that Cavill likes to keep his best friend around at all times — even when he’s on set. 

 He reportedly kept Kal with him on the set of The Witcher, the Netflix fantasy series Cavill currently stars on. 

  “He was there the entire time, he spent most of his time in the trailer rather than on set,” Cavill told People. 

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“He has been an absolute savior for me,” Cavill said in an interview with On Demand Entertainment. “He is a true companion and in those moments where I just need another being around but not necessarily to be putting lots of effort in that person.” 

  “He’s fantastic. To me, he’s very much — he’s a dog but he’s a companion. He’s a person as well.”

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Even “Superman” needs some saving sometimes 🤣 — it’s clear that this beautiful dog is always there to comfort Cavill when he needs him.
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 Dr. Pattarapol Maneeon had a heartwarming, yet unexpected reunion, with an elephant he treated 12 years ago. Back in 2009, the now 31-year-old elephant named Plai Thang was extremely ill. 

When a team of volunteers found him, in the the wilderness of Rayong in eastern Thailand, his chances to survive were extremely slim. Suffering from multiple sicknesses such as trypanosomiasis, anaemia or stiff legs, the poor creature was struggling to eat or drink water, let alone to stand on his feet. The elephant was immediately taken to the Forest Industry Organisation, where Dr. Maneeon treated him and looked after him, until he miraculously recovered in a few months. 

He was, then released back in the wild, in the same area where the rescue team initially found him. Earlier this month, the vet who took care of Plai Thang was exploring the area, when spotted his old friend. 

However, was unsure the elephant will recognize him after so many years. Anyway, the vet waved at him. 

And soon as he realizes the man who’s waving at him is the same who treated him 12 years ago, the elephant hurries to show his appreciation, once again. As he got close to Dr. Maneeon, Plai Thang reaches his trunk to touch the hand that saved his life. A moment surprised by cameras! 

The vet later explained, that when he initially spotted Plai Thang, he knew it was him after the sound he made. “I remember the sound very clearly. Plai Thang’s noise is very unique,” the vet told to a local news outlet. 

Dr. Maneeon added. “We could remember each other and we greeted. It was a very special moment. I hope it encourages everybody to appreciate the work that people do with elephants.”
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The centre collects turtle eggs from the beaches for hatching before poachers remove them as they are considered a delicacy. 

Once hatched the small turtles are let free in the sea. Albinos often struggle to survive in the wild, as their lack of pigment makes them an easy target for predators. 

  Sea Turtles Project 

 The sea turtles project is one of the turtle hatcheries located along the southern coast, this hatchery is located 3 Km south of the Bentota bridge. These turtle hatcheries were constructed to rescue and protect turtle eggs because of the rapidly declining numbers of marine turtle in Sri Lankan shores. Marine turtle eggs are purchased from the fisherman and re-buried along the beach and left there for 48 days allowing the eggs ample time to hatch. 

Thereafter the baby turtles are collected from the beach and kept in tanks for 2-3 days, and released into the ocean to fend off for themselves. The few female turtles that survive will return to their natal shores after ten years to lay their own eggs. 

 Visitors to the hatchery could release baby turtles into the ocean at night; they could also take a glimpse at the two very rare albino turtles that are kept at the sea turtle project for research. 

This one of a kind sea turtle conservation project is a site that should not be missed when one visits Bentota. Here he is! He was captured in a fisherman's net and if he had not been an albino would have been eaten. But he was brought to the folks at Kosgoda. 

He lives in his own holding pond. He has been there for many years. When the tsunami hit, the director ran out to the pond, grabbed him, and ran to safety. There are two of them at Kosgoda. Source