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Barking at the Knot

Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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  • 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
  • An Active Stand Against Cat Overpopulation: The Day of the Cat – 1993

    A 1993 conference called The Day of the Cat explored the then- controversial topics of TNVR and pediatric spay and neuter with shelter leaders from around the country.

    Audrey Lodato

    May 5, 2026
    1990s
    #CatOverpopulation, #FeralCats, animal control, animal services, animal shelter, Animal Welfare, animals, cat, Cat Welfare, Cats, Community Cats, Early No kill, history, HSUS, Humane Movement, Humane Societies, Kittens, Pediatric spay and neuter, Pet overpopulation, pets, Spay and neuter, TNR, TNVR

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