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Barking at the Knot

Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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  • Recommended Reading

    I’ve updated the recommended reading library! This library has been put together over time through my own research and reading, recommendations of others and assistance from AI. Whenever possible, I’ve tried to include a way to view historical materials.

    Audrey Lodato

    September 23, 2026
    Animal Welfare
    Animal Welfare, animals, ASPCA, Cats, dogs, history, hydrophobia, Rabies
  • “No need to go away from home and make a great to-do about it.” – and some news.

    In 1934, popular columnist Dr. William Brady gave some very bad advice about a dog bite. Did a child die because of it?

    Audrey Lodato

    July 30, 2026
    1930s
    Adelchi Negri, Animal Welfare, animals, Anna Wessels Williams, Columnist, Common sense, critical thinking, dogs, Dr. William Brady, history, hydrophobia, Influencers, Negri, Negribodies, pets, Rabies, Science, Tik Tok
  • The Domestic Cat: Bird Killer, Mouser and Destroyer of Wildlife – Part 4

    The legislation and licensing and control recommendations from a 1916 booklet published by the Massachusetts department of agriculture for The Audubon Society in 1916.

    Audrey Lodato

    June 27, 2026
    1910s
    animal control, Animal Refuge League of Boston, Animal Welfare, animal welfare history, cat, cat overpopulation, Cats, feral cats, history, hydrophobia, Massachusetts, pets, The Audubon Society
  • Screw Worms and Other Maggots Affecting Animals

    A brief history of the screw worm in the United States.

    Audrey Lodato

    June 17, 2026
    Animal Welfare
    animal control, Animal Welfare, Entemology, health, history, hydrophobia, nature, news, Outbreaks, Pests, pets, Science, Screw worm, screwworm, Transport
  • Animal Shelter Grows; Helps in Animal Control

    A look at sheltering in South Carolina in 1983.

    Audrey Lodato

    June 13, 2026
    1980s, Animal Welfare
    1980s, Animal Adoption, animal control, animal services, Animal Welfare, animals, Euthanasia, history
  • No Hope For Girl Near Death from Year Old Cat Bite

    In 1913, a 13 year old girl developed rabies one year after receiving treatment for a cat bite…or did she?

    Audrey Lodato

    June 3, 2026
    Animal Welfare
    animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, cat, Cats, Community Cats, Edward Forbush, feral cats, Grace Polhemus, hydrophobia, Newspaper Hydrophobia, pets, Rabies, The Audubon Society
  • The Domestic Cat: Bird Killer, Mouser and Destroyer of Wildlife – Part 3

    The Audubon Society’s 1916 booklet on management of community cats portrays them not only as killers of birds, but also as disease vectors dangerous to society.

    Audrey Lodato

    June 2, 2026
    1910s
    animal control, animal control history, Animal Control Legislation, Animal Welfare, animal welfare history, animals, Audubon Society, Bird Conservation, cat history, Cats, Community Cats, Conservation Politics, Domestic Cats, Early Conservation Movement, Edward Howe Forbush, feral cats, Free-Roaming Cats, history, Human-Wildlife Conflict, hydrophobia, Massachusetts Audubon, Outdoor Cats, Public Policy, Rabies, Wildlife Conservation
  • The Domestic Cat: Bird Killer, Mouser and Destroyer of Wildlife, Part two

    A deep dive into a booklet published in 1916. This week, we look at the author’s narrative around cats and birds. Yes, cats kill them.

    Audrey Lodato

    May 29, 2026
    1910s
    animal control, Animal Welfare, asparagus, Birds, Cats, Community Cats, feral cats, history, management of cats, pets, The Audubon Society, wildlife
  • The Domestic Cat: Bird Killer, Mouser and Destroyer of Wildlife – Part One

    A look at the control methods recommended by the Audubon Society in 1916 for stray and feral cats.

    Audrey Lodato

    May 22, 2026
    1910s, Animal Welfare
    1916, animal control, Animal History, Animal law, animal services, Animal Welfare, animals, Birds, cat history, Cats, Cruelty laws, dogs, feral cats, history, Kittens, nature, pets, Property Laws, The Audubon Society, wildlife, writing
  • The Way We Saw Cats in 1880: Articles from the Papers

    In 1880 Cats were simultaneously beloved family companions, working animals used for pest control, and in some cases subjected to disturbing and inexplicable cruelty. Explore articles from the newspapers of 1880 that depict all of the above.

    Audrey Lodato

    May 12, 2026
    Animal Welfare
    animal control, Animal Welfare, Animalcontrol, animals, Animalservices, Animalsheltering, Animalwelfare, Animalwelfarehistory, Cats, Catsinhistory, dogs, Feralcats, Henry Bergh, history, HumaneMovement, Kindnesstoanimals, newspapers, Peopleandpets, pets, Pounds, Shelters, Societalcontext, Veterinaryhistory, Victoriancats
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