Buddy Up Animal Society

09/07/2025

If I could tell you one thing about the animals people call pests…

I’d tell you how a baby squirrel wraps his tiny fingers around mine, holding on like I’m the only safe thing left in the world.
I’d tell you how an opossum crunches her food so loud and so silly it makes me laugh out loud when I’m having the worst day.
I’d tell you how a raccoon buries his face into his blanket when he’s scared, the same way a kid hides behind their mom’s legs.

And I’d tell you how they beg.
How a bunny will nudge at my leg with her nose like a puppy, asking for just one more grape. How her eyes light up when I hand her a treat and in that moment, it’s impossible to understand how anyone could ever see her as a “pest.”

I’ve seen them grieve.
I’ve heard too many orphans cry for a mom who’s never coming back.
I’ve watched siblings cling to each other when the world feels too loud, too big, too cruel.

And I’ve seen how they love.
Curling up together in a pile, finding comfort in each other’s breathing.
Learning my voice and trusting my hands, even when it was humans who hurt them in the first place.

This is what I see every single day as a wildlife rehabber.
Not nuisances. Not disposable lives.
I see souls. I see beings who want safety, joy, family the same things we all want.

And I wish you could see them the way I do.
Because if you did, you’d never look at an opossum or a squirrel or a rabbit the same way again.
You’d see what they really are: living, feeling beings who deserve compassion and a chance to grow old in the wild.

09/01/2025

This poor adult coyote was found down and minimally responsive near a roadway, likely after a vehicle collision. While coyotes are considered a nuisance species here in Virginia (per 4VAC15-20-160) and cannot legally be rehabilitated in our state, we were able to humanely euthanize this individual to prevent further suffering - a kindness that this animal certainly needed given the severity of trauma.

After euthanasia, we confirmed with a physical exam, radiographs, and necropsy that this coyote's pelvis had been completely shattered, and he had severe bruising along the lower half of his body, injuries that align with a vehicle strike. The lack of response to handling was explained by the severe bruising over the skull and bleeding around the brain. We were also able to collect samples for multiple research projects that we are involved with at the center, ensuring that this animal contributes to science that will benefit other wildlife, domestic animals, humans, and the environment.

While legally classified as a nuisance, these highly intelligent and resilient animals are a species that naturally spreads to new areas over time. With our native apex predators like wolves and mountain lions having been extirpated by humans, and an overabundance of deer, it was only a matter of time before coyotes found their way into that role (whereas in normal, complete ecosystems, coyotes are generally considered mesopredators).

While many counties in Virginia and other states still employ bounty programs and year-round hunting with no bag limits, even DWR has given presentations on how coyotes are here to stay, and multiple studies show that lethal control is not effective for managing coyote populations. When hunted, these adaptable animals often experience a breakdown of their family group, which consists of a single breeding pair and their offspring from the previous year(s). When that breeding pair is killed or broken up, additional animals will reproduce and allow transient individuals into the area, causing rapid population rebounds. Killing coyotes only makes their population grow.

As is the case for most wildlife, coexistence, not extermination, is the best option for managing coyote populations. Hazing (scaring animals off through loud noises, body language, etc.) is an important tool in teaching your local coyotes that humans are not friendly, and they in turn will teach their pups the same. When these individuals are killed or the family group breaks down, new transient coyotes that could be more bold or don't yet understand how dangerous humans are could become more of an issue than the coyotes you were living with before. Livestock guardian animals and keeping livestock properly contained (like chickens/ducks in properly-secured coops) can help prevent livestock loss to coyotes while maintaining a stable coyote population, keeping transient individuals from moving in. Keeping other food items, like trash or pet food, secured and impossible for wildlife to access can also keep them from associating human dwellings with food.

As always, if you have a concern or an issue with a wild animal in your area, call us for advice based on your unique situation. While coyotes can not be rehabilitated, we're thankful to have been given the opportunity to prevent further suffering for this individual, and to have his story educate others on the many misunderstandings around this species.

08/23/2025

A Wyoming grand jury has indicted a man on an animal cruelty charge after he allegedly hit a wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and brought it into a bar before killing it.

08/16/2025

🧬 Key Neurological Effects of Pain on Behavior:

1. Sensitization of the Nervous System
Peripheral Sensitization: Damaged tissues release chemicals (like prostaglandins and cytokines) that lower the pain threshold at the site of injury.

Central Sensitization: The spinal cord and brain become more reactive to pain signals over time, even to normally non-painful stimuli—this is why chronic pain often leads to exaggerated or inappropriate responses.

🧠 Result: Dogs become more irritable, hypervigilant, and more likely to react strongly or aggressively to minor triggers.

2. Increased Activity in the Amygdala
The amygdala, a part of the limbic system, processes fear and threat. Chronic pain can cause heightened amygdala activation, increasing fear, anxiety, and aggression.

🧠 Result: A normally tolerant dog may begin resource guarding, react fearfully to touch, or become more noise-sensitive.

3. Suppressed Prefrontal Cortex Function
Pain affects the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and impulse control. In dogs, this can manifest as:

Decreased frustration tolerance
Reduced capacity for training
Increased impulsivity or "reactivity"

🧠 Result: The dog may seem like they're "forgetting their training" or overreacting unpredictably.

4. Neurochemical Changes
Chronic pain alters the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—all of which affect mood, motivation, and social behavior.
🧠 Result: You might see lethargy, depression-like symptoms, or avoidance behaviors.

🐾 Behavioral Red Flags Suggesting Pain
From a trainer’s or caregiver’s perspective, behaviors that could be rooted in pain include:
Sudden onset of aggression or reactivity
Avoidance of handling or interaction
Restlessness or changes in sleep
Resistance to movement or apparent "stubbornness" (no, dogs aren't stubborn)
Changes in posture or gait
"Shutdown" or disengaged behavior during training

🔍 Bottom Line
Pain doesn’t just hurt—it rewires the brain. That’s why a behavior change should always prompt consideration of a vet check.

08/16/2025

"It doesn't hurt. He's fine."

Assuming an animal is not in pain is one of the biggest dangers to animal care and animal welfare.

When we don't know and cannot confirm if something is causing the animal pain I think we should use extreme caution.

Some things we know:

⭐Pain is different for different individuals as well as different species.
⭐Pain is unique. Your toothache may be excruciating but mine may be very mild. We cannot make a blanket statement about pain.
⭐Some animals hide pain but this does not mean that they are not experiencing pain.

⭐ Some things may not cause us pain because we understand it but if someone, including an animal is startled or does not know where a sensation is coming from it may cause pain.

Example: an invisible fence shock collar. If we try it on ourselves we understand what causes the shock. The dog does not.

The Wong-Baker Faces pain scale does not exist for animals.
We rely on behavior changes, medical changes but it requires observing.

By saying, "s/he's fine" we remove the ability to make those initial observations.
We have already turned off our observation skills.

If your vet says an animal is in pain, listen, and work with your vet to make a pain management plan.

If you are concerned that your dog is in pain but your vet is not, keep talking or seek a second opinion.

No one ever wants their animal to be in pain.
One way to help them, is keep an open mind and seek professional help.

Watch how they get up/lie down, how they move, how they react to sounds or touch. Do they scratch or itch a lot? Keeping an open mind about pain will be the first step to helping your animal.

Pain happens to all ages, not just seniors.

08/14/2025

Now imagine this…😔

You’re 12 years old. Your owner passed away, and you were then surrendered to a shelter.

No family member could take you. Now you’re without the only person you were familiar with.

That’s the reality of Valentines past few days. 💔

Valentine is looking for a new chapter. If it could be you, please come in and meet her.

However, she does have some special needs; she’s allergic to chicken. Valentine would do best as the only dog in a home, and while she’s not a fan of cats or young children, she’d love a calm, loving family with kids 10 and up. It breaks our hearts to think about the life she’s had to lead so far, but there’s still hope for her future. If you’re looking for a loyal companion to offer a second chance, Valentine could be the one to change your life. Be the new beginning she deserves.

08/07/2025

"Kelly, just curious what are your thoughts on slip leads and martingales. I am curious about these two options. I was not sure because in some videos it sats it evenly distributed pressure." 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 F-ing unregulated industry..🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬.

The Perfect Fit Harness company made this visual aid years ago. It still holds true today.

One surefire way to separate your trainers are just listening if they recommend a slip lead. You do not need to listen any further to hear choke chain, prong collar or shock collar. You already know you are dealing with someone who will gladly cause longterm injury to your dog because it beings them a buck today.

Now, if you are picking up a stray or working in a veterinarian office and rely on a slip lead for backup to an owner supplied leash, I get it.....but to require one for trainer....those peope are dumber than words can describe. Run!!! The injuries they cause might not be immediate but will show in time.
🐾💔🐾

08/05/2025