Barking at the Knot

Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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  • Do Not Be Alarmed if Your Dog Has a Fit, Thinking Perhaps He Has Rabies

    Advice given to new pet owners in the 1928 issue of “Our Animals” included not washing the dog too much, and consulting with your vet before assuming the dog was rabid.

    Audrey Lodato

    January 1, 2026
    1920s, Animal Welfare
    Advice, animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, California, Cats, Christmas pets, dog, dogs, history, hydrophobia, Kittens, Louis Pasteur, Our Animals, pets, Puppies, Rabies, San Fransisco, Veterinary Medicine, Zoomies
  • How Holiday Illustrations Helped Shape Our Relationship with Cats

    In 1886, Louis Wain, artist and illustrator, finally had his drawings published in the form of an 11 panel series called “A Kitten’s Christmas Party” in the London Illustrated News. The illustrations featured drawings of anthropomorphized cats; that is, cats with people qualities, doing people things.

    Audrey Lodato

    December 25, 2025
    1880s, Animal Welfare
    Animal Welfare, animals, Cats, Christmas, Collectibles, England, Ephemra, history, Holiday, Illustrations, Kittens, Louis Wain, pets, Postcards, victorian
  • Sarah Edwards and The Midnight Band of Mercy

    In 1893, a group of well meaning cat ladies set upon Manhattan, chloroforming thousands of stray cats to death. This is the story of Sarah Edwards and the Midnight Bands of Mercy.

    Audrey Lodato

    November 5, 2025
    1890s, 1900s, Animal Welfare
    animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, Bands of Mercy, Cats, dogs, George Angell, history, Humane Movement, Kittens, Manhattan, Midnight Band of Mercy, Midnight Bands of MErcy, New York City, print media, Rabies, Sarah Edwards, Stray cats, strays
  • Dear Letter-Box

    Dear Letter-Box was a column featured in the ASPCA’s monthly periodical, “Our Animal Friends.” This column featured letters from children, and provides a glimpse into how children perceived both pets and the humane movement.

    Audrey Lodato

    October 2, 2025
    1870s, 1880s, 1890s, Animal Welfare
    animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, anime, ASPCA, books, Cats, Children, Dear Letterbox, dogs, featured, history, horses, John P. Haines, Kids, Kittens, life, New York City, Our Animal Friends, strays, the humane movement, writing

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