Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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
The Arsenic Club: Blackmail and Horse Poisoners, Part three

The conclusion of the animal cruelty case revolving around a gang of blackmailers and horse poisoners called “The Arsenic Club.”

Audrey Lodato

February 7, 2026

1910s

animal control, Animal control investigations, Animal Cruelty, Animal sheltering, Animal Welfare, animals, Barking at the Knot, Blackmail, Crime, dogs, Extortion, gangs, history, horse poisoning, horses, New York City, newspapers, pets, Rabies, Sing Sing, the humane movement
Number of Dogs Removed: 201

The history of intakes as a measure of a shelter’s success continues to influence the way we perceive the most important functions of animal services.

Audrey Lodato

October 22, 2025

1900s, Animal Welfare

ACOs, advocacy, american history, Animal Advocacy, animal control, Animal Rights History, animal shelter, animal shelter history, Animal sheltering, animal shelters, Animal Welfare, animal welfare history, animal-rights, animals, ASPCA, barking-at-the-knot, books, Cats, Compassionate animal care, Cruelis, Cruelism, cruelty, dog, dog catcher, Dog catchers, dogs, Early animal welfare movement, Ethics, Euthanasia, evolution, health, Henry Bergh, historical policy, history, History of Animal Welfare, Humane education, Humane exhibits., Humane Movement, hydrophobia, Impeachment, industrial revolution, John P. Haines, leaders, level setting, Livesaving, mandatory impoundment, Mercy to Animals, Morals, municipal shelter, New York City, new york times, news, newspapers, Periodicals, pets, philosophy, pound, Printing Press, Progress, public private partnerships, Rabies, Raising the bar, shelter intake, Shelter Reform, Social media, societal change, societal expectations, storytelling, strays, the future, the humane movement, The Importance of Level Setting in Animal Welfare, writing
Animals Make The Papers – Odd Stories from 1896

Strange and unusual stories from the papers of 1896

Audrey Lodato

October 10, 2025

1890s, Animal Welfare

animal control, ASPCA, Bears, Biting, bonus content, Cats, dogs, history, hydrophobia, Justice, newspapers, pets, Rabies, Strange content, Vivisection
How One Potentially Rabid Cow Story Went Viral in 1865, Pun Definitely Intended.

A cow bitten by a dog seven years ago causes six children to die after drinking her milk. Was she rabid? Find out why this story went viral in 1865.

Audrey Lodato

September 5, 2025

1860s, Animal Welfare

animal control, Animal Welfare, animals, cows, dogs, fiction, food, history, hydrophobia, Iowa, newspapers, Periodicals, pets, Printing Press, Rabies, Sensationalism, travel, Victorian america, Wisconsin, writing
The Journal of Zoophily

The Journal of Zoophily was the periodical of the American Anti-Vivisection society. It gives a fascinating glimpse into the movement.

Audrey Lodato

April 28, 2025

Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare, animals, Anti-vivisection, blog, Cats, dogs, gilded-age, history, hydrophobia, newspapers, Periodicals, pets, Philadelphia, Zoophily

The Way We Saw Cats in 1880: Articles from the Papers

The Arsenic Club: Blackmail and Horse Poisoners, Part three

Number of Dogs Removed: 201

Animals Make The Papers – Odd Stories from 1896

How One Potentially Rabid Cow Story Went Viral in 1865, Pun Definitely Intended.

The Journal of Zoophily