Deep imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed an unusually faint stellar system embedded in the Perseus Cluster. The object, designated Candidate Dark Galaxy-2 (CDG-2), lies at a distance of roughly 300 million light-years. Its surface brightness sits near the practical detection limit of current optical surveys. Yet statistical analysis and multi-observatory data strongly indicate that it is a genuine galaxy dominated by dark matter.
Astronomers have long predicted the existence of such systems. Standard cold dark matter models produce many low-mass halos that should host few stars. However, observational confirmation has remained difficult. CDG-2 now provides one of the clearest candidates found so far.
An object that barely shines
The CDG-2 appears unimpressive at first inspection. It lacks the obvious stellar structure seen in most galaxies. Careful measurements, however, reveal why the object stands out scientifically. The total luminosity corresponds to roughly one million Sun-like stars. This value is extremely small by galactic standards. For context, the Milky Way contains hundreds of billions of stars. Even many dwarf galaxies outshine CDG-2 by a wide margin.
Despite its weak glow, the system appears to reside within a substantial dark matter halo. This mismatch between visible light and inferred mass defines the object’s importance. The stellar component contributes only a minor fraction of the total mass budget.
Another unusual feature strengthens the case. Astronomers identified four globular clusters tightly grouped within the same region. These compact clusters account for a surprisingly large share of the system’s visible light. In most galaxies, globular clusters represent only a small contribution.
Taken together, the evidence points toward a galaxy that lost much of its normal baryonic material. What remains is a sparse stellar population embedded in a dominant dark halo.
At left, the white box marks the area that was examined. At right is a magnified view of that area. The circle marked with a dashed red boundary indicates the location of the dark-matter-dominated galaxy. Within the dashed circle are four globular clusters outlined by small, blue circles. Credit: NASA, ESA, D. Li (Utoronto), Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)
A different way to find galaxies
The path to this discovery did not follow the usual route. Instead of searching directly for diffuse galaxy light, the research team began by analyzing the spatial distribution of globular clusters.
Globular clusters are dense and gravitationally robust. They often survive tidal interactions that disperse ordinary stellar populations. Because of this resilience, they can serve as reliable tracers of underlying galaxies.
The team applied hierarchical Bayesian modeling to wide survey data. In this framework, the clusters were treated as a spatial point process. The analysis tested whether the observed grouping could arise from random alignment. The statistical outcome proved striking. The probability of chance clustering was extremely small. This result flagged the region as a strong candidate for a hidden galaxy.
Only after this statistical detection did researchers examine deep imaging for diffuse light. That search uncovered a very faint stellar glow surrounding the clusters. The sequence effectively reversed the traditional workflow. Here, the clusters revealed the galaxy rather than the other way around.
The low-surface-brightness galaxy CDG-2, shown in this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, is dominated by dark matter and contains only a sparse scattering of stars. This galaxy is nearly invisible, but by using advanced statistical techniques, scientists identified it by searching for tight groupings of stars called globular clusters at the centre of this image. Credit: NASA, ESA, D. Li (Utoronto), Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI)
Multi-observatory confirmation
High-resolution observations from Hubble provided the decisive evidence. The telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys clearly resolved the four globular clusters. More importantly, careful image processing exposed the low-surface-brightness stellar component associated with CDG-2.
The team then incorporated data from the Euclid space telescope and the Subaru Telescope. These independent datasets supported the presence of the diffuse galaxy light. The combined analysis significantly reduced the likelihood that the signal was an imaging artifact.
Researchers describe CDG-2 as the first galaxy identified primarily through its globular cluster population. This distinction highlights the methodological advance behind the discovery. It also showcases the growing importance of statistical inference in modern observational astronomy.
Even so, astronomers remain cautious. The object still carries the designation “candidate.” Follow-up measurements will refine its mass and confirm its dark matter dominance.
Euclid Telescope’s image of CDG-2. Credit: Euclid/ESA
Life inside a massive cluster
The Perseus Cluster provides a harsh setting for small galaxies. It contains thousands of members embedded in hot intracluster gas. Gravitational tides and ram-pressure stripping operate continuously in such environments.
Dwarf systems entering the cluster often lose their interstellar medium. Over time, their star formation declines and their surface brightness fades. Many become difficult to detect against the background sky.
CDG-2 shows several signatures consistent with this evolutionary path. Its very low surface brightness indicates substantial baryonic loss. Meanwhile, the survival of globular clusters suggests that the galaxy once experienced more active star formation.
By studying objects like CDG-2, astronomers can reconstruct how cluster environments transform small galaxies. These systems act as natural laboratories for testing environmental effects predicted by cosmological simulations.
Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Review: 3 Reasons Why This Lens Rules
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As the United States prepares to mark 250 years of independence this July, it is worth remembering that this land was never empty. Long before the first flag was raised, wildlife shaped every forest, shoreline, and river. Indigenous nations lived alongside bison, wolves, elk, whales, birds, and fish, guided by the rhythms of the natural world.
The Northeast is where America’s political story began. It is also where some of our earliest wildlife losses happened.
Today, this region carries both memory and responsibility. It holds the stories of endangered species that vanished due to the lack of legislation and the existence of powerful and successful laws like the Endangered Species Act.
When you think about photography gear, cameras, lenses, and lighting often come to mind first, but a tripod is equally essential.
Choosing the ideal tripod height is more than a matter of comfort as it actually influences stability, composition, and the types of shots you can capture. If your tripod is too short, you may strain to frame images at eye level, and if it is too tall, stability can become an issue, especially when using heavier cameras or shooting in windy conditions.
Understanding what makes a tripod the right height for your workflow can improve your shooting experience and help you capture better images in a variety of settings.
Understanding Tripod Height Specifications
Tripods are generally described by three key measurements: folded height, minimum height, and maximum height.
Folded height refers to how compact the tripod becomes when collapsed for transport. For photographers who travel frequently or hike to remote locations, a lower folded height can make carrying the tripod much easier.
Minimum height indicates the lowest position the tripod can achieve. This is particularly useful for macro photography, low-angle shots, or creative perspectives near the ground.
Maximum height is the tallest extension possible, often including the center column fully extended. You should compare this measurement against your eye level or typical shooting position to ensure comfort during long sessions.
For most photographers, the ideal maximum height allows you to shoot without bending your back or crouching, which is roughly eye level or slightly above.
For the average adult, this falls between 160 and 175 centimeters, approximately 63 to 69 inches. Taller photographers may prefer tripods that extend up to 180 centimeters to avoid unnecessary strain.
Why Tripod Height Affects Stability and Image Quality
It may be tempting to buy the tallest equipment available, but extending the legs or center column too far can introduce instability.
High center columns can wobble under heavy camera loads, causing motion blur in long exposures or time-lapse sequences. Lower tripod heights generally offer better stability but may limit compositional flexibility if you need to frame a subject at eye level or above crowds.
The material also plays a role. Carbon fiber tripods are typically lighter and slightly more rigid than aluminum models, allowing you to extend them taller without significant loss of stability.
However, taller ones often cost more, and carrying a large one can be cumbersome for travel or urban photography. The key is to balance height with portability.
How Your Photography Style Influences the Ideal Height
The type of photography you practice strongly impacts the tripod height that works best.
Landscape photographers may want to capture wide vistas from low or high vantage points. A tripod that extends to your eye level or slightly above ensures you can compose panoramas comfortably. If you plan on shooting low foreground elements, one with a low minimum height or a removable center column can be highly beneficial.
Portrait photographers generally benefit from a height at or slightly above the subject’s eye level, providing flattering angles while maintaining stability.
Macro photographers often need to shoot close to the ground, making low minimum heights and adjustable leg angles essential.
Astrophotographers require extreme stability for long exposures, so lower heights may be sufficient since most of the work involves viewing the camera screen or using remote triggers.
Ergonomics and Personal Comfort
Tripod height affects your physical comfort as much as camera placement.
Constantly bending or stretching can lead to fatigue and reduce the quality of your work. Selecting one that aligns with your natural shooting posture allows you to stay focused and compose shots intuitively.
Taller photographers benefit from tripods that reach 175 to 180 centimeters to maintain good posture, while shorter photographers should look for tripods that provide a balance of stability and moderate maximum height.
Center Column Considerations
Many tripods feature a center column that extends vertically for additional height.
While this increases maximum height, it can reduce stability because the camera’s weight sits higher above the tripod legs. If you rely heavily on the center column, ensure that the legs are fully spread and locked to maintain a stable base.
Some photographers prefer adjusting leg lengths instead of using the center column for height, as this approach usually provides better steadiness.
Adjustable Leg Sections
Tripods with multiple leg sections offer flexibility in height adjustment. More leg sections can increase maximum height and reduce folded size, but additional sections may reduce stability if the locking mechanisms are not robust.
Tripods with fewer sections provide sturdiness but limit height versatility. Considering how often you will need extreme height versus stability and portability is important when choosing the right tripod.
Portability Versus Maximum Height
You may want a lightweight, compact tripod for travel while still desiring maximum reach for certain shots.
Travel tripods often compromise maximum height for portability, while professional studio tripods are taller, heavier, and more stable.
Determining whether height or portability is more critical for your photography style is essential. A good compromise is a tripod that reaches your eye level comfortably while remaining manageable to carry.
Using Tripod Accessories to Adjust Height
Accessories can extend a tripod’s versatility.
Tripod heads with tilt and pan adjustments allow you to position the camera higher without raising the legs excessively. Extension columns or risers provide extra reach when needed, and low-angle adapters are valuable for macro or creative perspectives close to the ground.
These tools let you shoot at different heights without constantly adjusting the legs, saving time and maintaining compositional consistency.
Selecting the ideal height requires balancing comfort, stability, portability, and the type of photography you pursue. Evaluating your photography style, physical stature, and shooting environments will help you choose a tripod that enhances both your workflow and the quality of your images.
The ideal tripod is not necessarily the tallest or the lightest but the one that fits seamlessly into your practice, supporting creativity and ergonomics in every frame you capture. Understanding its height and its effects can make a significant difference in your photography experience, enabling you to focus on composition and creativity rather than struggling with equipment limitations.
We get a veterinarian’s perspective on the best cat carriers and how to help your cat with vet visits from Dr. Mansum Yau.
By Zazie Todd, PhD
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Listen to episode 52 of The Pawsitive Post in Conversation wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or below, watch on Youtube or below, or scroll down to read the show notes and a transcript of the highlights.
Everything you need to know about cat carriers with Dr. Mansum Yau
Dr. Mansum Yau graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2010 and earned her certificate in canine massage from the Royal Canadian College of Massage Therapy in 2025. She is Human Animal Bond and Fear Free Level 3 certified and passionate about preventative care and client education. When she is not caring for cats and dogs, she enjoys reading, writing, painting, drawing, performing clean stand-up comedy, raising awareness for endangered animals, and exploring nature with her one-eyed dog, Penny, and adventure cat, Boo. She is the author and illustrator of The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Cat Carriers, available wherever cat lovers read. She also shares tips for cats and dogs at pet events and on Instagram and YouTube.
Highlights of the conversation about cat carriers, comedy, and adventure cats
Z: So can you tell us as a veterinarian why are you interested in cat carriers?
M: Yeah, it’s a very unusual thing to be passionate about. But over the years, I noticed as a veterinarian that the cat care experience sets a tone for how well the appointment goes.
So if the cat’s already stressed in the care by the time they get to the vet, they’re a lot harder to handle, a lot harder to examine and treat. And I also noticed that people would show up late to appointments or not at all because they couldn’t even get their cat into the carrier.
And even if the cat’s sick, even if it’s a senior cat, people still struggle getting their cats into the carrier. And then because they can’t get to the vet, their treatment is delayed.
And there’s also the concern that people like either people I work with or the cat owners can get injured while getting their cat into or out of the carrier as well.
K: So I know we’re going to be talking quite a bit about cat carriers, but what should just serve as a preliminary thought? What should people look for in a cat carrier?
M: I would look for a carrier with more than one door or opening, especially one on top. Because having a door on top makes it a lot easier to pick up your cat, like lift it out of the carrier or drop it in.
A lot of the older carriers, a lot of the simple ones only have one door in the front. And when there’s only one door in the front, it’s harder to get them in and out.
Z: I think I’ve heard you talk about having a drawer. So the cat slides out as well and I think that’s a nice innovation.
M: Yeah, I wish there were more carriers with drawers. I only know of two carriers, one is soft sided and one is hard sided that are designed to open like a drawer so you don’t have to pull your cat out or dunk them out. I wish there were more carriers with that design.
Z: Seems like a good idea. Sometimes I see carriers that are basically a rucksack for the cat with a clear compartment so that the cat is fully on view and the cat can see, but they’re also being seen. What do you think of that style of carrier?
M: It really depends on your cat’s personality. I like spelling personality with a U: P, U, R, R, S, O.
So if you have a scaredy cat, like the stereotypical scaredy cat, having a carrier of a big window can really stress them out. There’s like no place to hide. Whereas if you have a cat that’s curious and wants to see the world being stuck in a care of no window for them, that’s boring and frustrating because they want to see outside.
So it really depends on the personality of your cat.
K: Sorry, there’s a helicopter is flying over our farm right now, so the dog sent all activated.
So, as a veterinarian, what other tips do you have for guardians who want their cat to be more comfortable and relaxed at the vet?
M: One word. Gabapentin. Have you heard of gabapentin before?
Z: Yes.
K: Yeah.
M: So it’s a calming pain medication. It’s not a real sedative. It’s a pain medication that has a positive side effect of making cats calm and sleepy. So rather than be sleepy than to be stressed and having panic attacks.
It’s something you can give at home two hours before a vet appointment and also the night before. It’s usually available as a capsule. So you open up the capsule and mix the powder with food, or you can just pop the capsule in the back of the throat.
But if that’s too hard, a lot of clinics have it compounded as a liquid medication that you can squirt into the mouth.
K: I just to interject, I think, I don’t know, maybe this is different with cat guardians, but a lot of dog guardians struggle with how to bring this up with their vet if their vet doesn’t offer it to start.
So do you have like sort of a, you know, here’s how to bring this up with your vet. The whole need to have medication beforehand.
M: Yeah. So you can be honest with your vet and say, like, my cat’s yowling the whole time, the car panicking, scratching, like damaging their nails.
You know, I’m getting scratched like, or bit. And just be honest with them about how stressful it is. Just like, it’s not that you don’t want to take your cat to the vet, it’s just that it’s just so stressful for both of you that, you know, is there anything that I can give at home that makes the whole experience less stressful?
Gabapentin is not something you have to give every day. It wears off after 12 to 24 hours. At low doses, it’s safe for kidney disease too. So it’s a pretty safe medication. It’s not like a real sedative.
Z: That’s good to know. And I, I have a cat who is actually really good at going to the vet. Fortunately, Melina, she’s quite happy there. She’s been going to the same vet for a very long time now and she knows all the staff, she’s quite happy. But she recently had radioactive IODINE treatment.
Although we don’t normally give her gabapentin. We did give her gabapentin before that, you know, because it was a different clinic and it was gonna be more stressful for her. So we thought that would help. The vet actually recommended it in that case.
M: Yeah. Cause she had to stay there for several days, right?
Z: That’s right, yes.
So you have at the back of your book, you actually have a fairly comprehensive list of all the different types of cat carriers. I did not know that there were so many different cat carriers that ex. Did it take you a long time to research all of those?
M: It did. This is not even a comprehensive list. There’s so many that I had to cut from the list because otherwise, like the book would have been twice the length.
So I included the ones that are more unique, that have something interesting about them. Like there’s a carrier that has a built in fan, for example, and then there’s a couple of carriers with drawers, like I mentioned earlier.
There’s one made in Italy with a built in litter box. I haven’t been able to find it in Canada, but if you live in Italy, I hope you can find it.
Z: Maybe useful for travel by airplane or if you’re going traveling with your cat.
M: Yeah. In the car.
Z: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Now it’s a really fun book and you’ve got some jokes in there. And you also happen to be a stand up comedian. So how did you get into being a comedian alongside being a vet?
M: I didn’t plan on it. In fact, if you had told me five years ago, one day you’re going to do stand up comedy, I wouldn’t have believed you. I would have been like crazy.
So I wanted to get better at writing jokes because I was writing jokes for this book. And I also fell in love with public speaking. A cat company asked me to do some public speaking for them and I fell in love with public speaking. And I thought, well, if I take a stand up comedy course, I can kill two birds and one stone.
I actually really hate that phrase. We need a less violent phrase in English language. Like a way to feed two birds in one hand maybe.
So I can get better at writing jokes and I can practice public speaking, talking on stage. And so I took a course and then I took a second one and I plan on taking a third one. So every class we had to talk on stage, tell jokes on stage and do crowd work.
And so even though standup comedy is not the same as regular public speaking, it’s a form of public speaking.
K: I sort of feel like humor is kind of underused in the environment of professional pet care, you know, veterinarians and dog trainers, too.
It’s such a useful way for people to sort of transmit information and make a. Like, a really warm situation. I know we’re often dealing with tricky situations. You know, I mean, I imagine it’s even more so with a veterinarian rather than a dog trainer, but, you know, you’re dealing with tricky times and people are upset.
But do you feel like that sort of bled into your work as a vet as well? Do you see yourself using humor in more situations now that you’ve kind of become a professional at it?
M: Yes. Yeah, I would say so. When I make educational videos, like, some of them have more of a comedic element to them. And when I’m stressed at work, I find that comedy is a good coping mechanism as well.
Obviously, there are situations that are not appropriate to be making jokes. And, like, if you’re saying goodbye to a pet, that’s like, the worst line to be making a joke.
But there are times when, you know, you crack a joke and you can just see people visibly relax, because a lot of people are stressed going to the vet.
Like, I’m stressed going to the doctor. Like, I had a doctor tell me recently, like, you’re too stressed here. And I’m like, in my head, I’m like, who goes to the doctor to relax?
K: Yeah, totally.
So actually, that kind of leads into one of our questions. You do have a viral video of you brushing your cat’s teeth on Instagram. So can you tell us about a little bit more about that video and then why toothbrushing is so important?
M: Happy to. I didn’t expect the video to go viral, to be honest. I recorded it last February during Dental Health Month. I recorded in a rush. I was like, well, I have to brush my cat’s teeth anyway.
I brush my cat’s teeth every day. And I was like, I might as well make a video before the end of the month, before it’s no longer Dental Health Month.
And if I’d known that all these people would be watching it, maybe I would have word it differently. But all these people are like, I can’t put my cat on my lap. My cat won’t stay in my lap. And I was like, nowhere in the video did I mention putting your cat on your Lap is this that my cat is a lap cat.
And for filming purposes more, it was easier to have him on my lap and to have him, like, off to the side.
And, yeah, I was kind of shocked at how people responded to the video, but also pleased that they were interested in watching the video that they watched in the first place.
One of the best ways to keep your cat healthy is to brush their teeth, because dental health doesn’t just impact aesthetics and it’s not just about the way the teeth look.
Poor dental health negatively impacts kidney health, heart health, as well as liver health. And I see so many cats that work with such painful teeth that I’m sure there are so many cats that are cranky and unhappy because they have toothaches that they can’t tell us about because they can’t point at their mouth, point at which tooth is hurting.
They can’t tell us which tooth hurts.
Z: So I’ll put a link to that in the show notes so that if anybody wants to go and look at it, they can do so.
And you’re also an illustrator, so you’re just incredibly talented, basically. And you did your own illustrations for this book, and they’re adorable. I really love it.
So how did you get into being an illustrator as well?
M: To be honest, I got into illustrating after I got over my fear of making mistakes while drawing. I found these erasable crayons in a grocery store, of all places. And I was like, oh, if. If I draw the wrong thing, I can just erase it.
And then I eventually switch to an iPad to draw the cartoons. And on an iPad, you can erase, you know, mistakes. And if you don’t like the way it looks, you can just reverse the drawing.
I would say I’m a writer first, illustrator second. I’m a much slower illustrator than I am a writer.
And you can see some of my progress, like, some of the cartoons that I drew at the beginning, because it took me around six years to finish this book. So in the beginning, my drawings are a lot more rudimentary, and then by the end, they’re better. I mean, it’s still could be, you know, could be better, but better than the beginning.
I’ll give you an example of the earlier cartoons that I drew. For example, you can see this is very simple. There’s nothing fancy about the cartoon. Although I love the eyes.
And so this is called the magic towel cartoon. So just, you know, I wrote about, like, how towels are really handy for helping with getting your cat into a carrier and keeping them comfortable in the carrier.
And then by the end of the book, you’ll notice that the cartoons have become more complicated. I drew a cartoon of all three of my friends cats and it says a picnic is a state of mind and can be made anywhere. Those are her three cats.
And there are three different types of carriers. So this is the vintage wicker carrier. So back in the 1940s, before that they used wicker carriers. This is a more modern Italian carrier that is made of plastic and shaped like a picnic hamper. And then this one is based on a real carrier that I own, shaped like a Volkswagen van.
A soft sided carrier. Doesn’t have stickers. My actual carrier doesn’t have stickers on it. But when I drew the cartoon, it was like, it’s a van, it must have happy stickers on it.
Z: And I think I must be old because I’m old enough to have had a wicker carrier and used a wicker carrier. So a long time ago.
So can we actually come back to the towels? Because the first drawing you showed us was of a towel. Tell us a bit more about how people can use a towel to help with the carrier.
M: Yeah. So if you have one of those cats that sticks like limbs out and at weird angles while you’re trying to get your cat into the carrier, one of the tips is to wrap your cat in a towel or a blanket and then put them in because then there are less limbs sticking out and they’re less likely to scratch you as well.
Because a towel provides the level of layer of protection. It covers their eyes and makes them feel. It can make them feel more safe. Kind of like being swaddled like a baby.
Z: Excellent. Good. And your cat is an adventure cat. So I’m going to ask you in a moment to tell us a story. There’s a “lovely” story you’ve got in the book about a surprise that happened when you were out with your adventure cat.
So does that change the kind of carrier that you use? Do you like to have a different kind of carrier when you’re going out on adventures?
M: Yes. So for those of you who don’t know what an adventure cat is, a cat that goes hiking, camping, paddleboarding, snowshoeing, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So basically they spend time outdoors with their cat parents supervised instead of wandering around.
And I recommend having a carrier because one, it’s a place for your cat to retrieve to if they’re scared or if they’re tired and they need a break, then usually most people wear a backpack when they take their adventure cat out because then it frees up their hands to take pictures, to hold a hiking stick or a ski pole, what have you, you know, so, because if you’re holding a carrier, like, you don’t have a free hand to hold other things.
So backpacks are great. There are two different orientations for the backpack. So you have the backpacks that are more vertical, so the cat ends up sitting up most of the time, which is not as comfortable.
And then you have the longer, more horizontal type where they can actually lie down. That’s the type that I recommend because it’s more comfortable for the cats.
So some of the backpacks are too small for average sized cats and they end up just sitting up the whole time.
K: So how did you, like, did you get an adventure cat or did you sort of like get a kitten and make an adventure cat?
M: The latter. When I adopted Boo. Well, let me back up a bit. I was planning to get a dog right after I graduated from vet school, I was planning to get a dog. And then someone brought him into work. He was a wee little kitten that someone found stuck in a fence by construction yard. And it was love at first sight.
I looked into the kennel and fell in love with him. Like, the tech asked me if I wanted to adopt him. I was like, sure, you know, he’s not a dog, but I’ll adopt him.
And I basically trained him as if he were a dog. Like, I trained him to walk on a leash. I trained him to wear a harness carrier. Trained him as if I were like crate training a dog.
And this is before I even knew of the concept adventure cat. Like, I don’t know exactly when that term was coined, but my cat’s 15 now, so this is before it was popular, before Instagram was even, before it was even invented.
Z: And so you’ve got a funny story in the book about one time when you were out with Boo. Can you tell us about that?
M: So let me double check that. The same story. Because there are two. I can think of two funny stories. They were funny after the fact, maybe not while they were happening.
Z: Yes, yes, that’s what I thought. After the fact.
M: Yeah, after the fact. So the one that I wrote about in the book is when I took him to Drumheller.
For those of you who’ve never heard of Drumheller, it’s a place in Canada in Central Canada and Alberta, where there’s canyons, the landscape there is really cool. And I took him hiking there.
I brought a backpack, thinking that he’d want to be in the backpack, but he refused to stay in it, and he wanted to walk on his own. I was like, sure, you know, and he walked for a long time.
I was surprised. And then all of a sudden, he just, like, stopped and refused to move. And I was like, oh, what’s wrong, Boo? And I went to like, are you tired?
You want me to carry you? I picked him up and then quickly realized that he was actually. The reason why he wasn’t moving is because he was peeing.
I end up getting the pee all over my clothes.
And if any of you have a male cat, you know, well, any kind of even female cat pee doesn’t smell good. But I was just like, okay, good thing I have a change of clothes in my car.
If he could talk, he probably would be like, I want to pee. Leave me alone.
And it’s a natural instinct for cats to pee in dirt. Like, usually they’ll pee and then they might cover it up, or if they have to poo, they’ll, like, dig a hole and then. And then poo and then cover it up.
So he was doing what he was supposed to do. I just didn’t know that that’s what he was doing.
Z: Yeah. Yes. I think it definitely falls into the category of funny with hindsight, but not so much at the time.
M: Yeah, it was a very smelly car ride because the whole way home, all I could smell was cat pee on my. Even though I changed my clothes, it was still. I could still smell it.
Z: One time when we were moving house, and I think this is why this story resonated with me. I had the cat in a carrier on my lap, and this was a long time ago. The cat was actually quite terrified and peed, and it leaked from the carrier onto me, and we had quite a way to go. So it was a long time before I was able to change into some clean clothes.
You know, again, it was not funny at the time, but in hindsight, yes.
M: Yeah.
Z: So you actually have so much information in here in your book. Is there anything else that you want to tell us about cat carriers? Are there any other especially important things for people to know?
M: Wow. Yeah, you’re right. There’s a lot of information in the book.
I recently learned that there are people who don’t even know that cat carriers are that that pet carriers exist. Like, I had someone ask me, can I just use a baby car seat for my dog? And I was just like, what?
No, like, because there’s already ones for dogs specifically. Specifically designed for pets. Like, why would you use a baby car seat?
K: Also, I can’t imagine the training plan to get them.
Z: The cat is not going to stay.
M: I was just like, oh, my God. Yeah, they were lucky that they were in a collision and the pets survived, luckily. But, yeah, it’s something that’s not talked about enough.
So I actually wrote the first draft for my next book, which has both a cat and a dog in it, and it’s a kid’s book, so I’m really excited about it.
Z: Oh, that’s very exciting. You’ll have to come back and tell us about that when it’s published.
This transcript has been lightly edited for content and style.
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Dogs and cats rescued from the frontlines are once again at risk due to severe flooding.
The rapid melting of snow combined with rainy weather has caused a disaster for many in central Ukraine, including animal shelters caring for hundreds of dogs and cats.
BIM and Happy Dog shelters in Kropyvnytskyi are underwater and desperate for help in caring for the animals. Dogs took to higher ground in their kennels as staff and volunteers rush to evacuate them.
Photo: Happy Dog
The water continues to rise due to the overflowing river making it nearly impossible to access the shelters with a vehicle. Staff and volunteers are going by foot through nearby fields or on a boat to rescue and care for the animals.
Photo: BIM
A large-scale rescue operation was launched involving twenty rescuers dressed for the cold, wet conditions and boats. They worked through the night using lighting equipment to evacuate animals from flooded areas to safer locations.
Photo: BIM
The remaining dogs are staying safe on pallets placed in their kennels with hopes that the water will subside soon. Residents not impacted by the flooding have opened their homes to foster dogs temporarily and permanently.
Photo: BIM
The fast actions of staff, volunteers, and the community saved countless animals. Staff continue to work day and night to ensure the animals are well cared for.
Photo: BIM
More Help is Needed:
One of the greatest needs going forward is pet food and supplies, which was already running low at distribution centers before the flood. Our partner, Greater Good Charities, has sent 1200 kilograms of food, but more is needed.
Help feed these innocent animals facing yet another traumatic situation.
Photo: Happy Dog
The war has already taken a toll on these animals and their caretakers, and they need our support now more than ever. Donate today to help feed and care for shelter animals in Ukraine.
Andrea Powell
Andrea Powell is an animal enthusiast who resides in West Michigan. When not writing, she is exploring the great outdoors with her dogs and horses.
Memory cards are the most overlooked purchase decision in photography. We agonize over camera bodies for months, research lenses obsessively, and then grab whatever SD card is on sale at checkout. This approach works fine until you’re shooting a wedding and your buffer locks up during the first dance, or you’re recording an interview and the camera stops mid-sentence because your card couldn’t keep up.
Your cat demands attention in the most dramatic way possible: tail straight up in the air, rear end directly in your face. It’s a classic feline power move. But this time, something looks off. The area around their anus is redder than you remember, maybe even inflamed. Before you panic or pretend you didn’t see anything, let’s talk about what’s actually going on back there.
Inflammation around the anus or the skin surrounding it creates that red appearance you’re noticing. The question is why it’s inflamed in the first place. The reasons range from minor irritations to issues that need veterinary attention, so knowing what you’re looking at makes all the difference.
The Most Common Culprits for Red Cat Butts, And Why They Matter
Image Credit: Hendragalus, Shutterstock
1. Worms Are More Than Just Gross
Intestinal worms living in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract cause inflammation in the intestines, which leads to straining and diarrhea. All that irritation affects the anus directly. Tapeworms are particularly problematic because they release egg packets that look like tiny grains of rice. These packets can stick to the anus and cause significant irritation. Prevention is straightforward: give your cat a broad-spectrum wormer every 3 months. Kittens need deworming every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on their age.
2. Gastrointestinal Upset Affects Everything
Diarrhea doesn’t just make a mess. It inflames the anus through constant contact with loose stools. The causes of diarrhea are numerous: food intolerances, sudden diet changes, eating something questionable, or infections (viral, parasitic, bacterial, or fungal). Internal diseases like kidney or liver problems can also trigger digestive upset.
Watch for additional symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or lethargy. These signal a more severe problem. Diarrhea causes dehydration quickly, which is a real concern. If you suspect a gastrointestinal issue, contact your veterinarian rather than waiting it out.
3. Constipation Creates Strain
When cats can’t poop, they strain. Excessive straining inflames the anus. Here’s something critical: if your cat is straining in the litter box, you need to rule out a urinary obstruction immediately, as this is a life-threatening emergency.
If your cat is genuinely straining to defecate or hasn’t passed feces in a couple of days, they need help. Underlying illnesses, diet issues, or lifestyle factors can all cause constipation. Once stool sits in the colon for too long, it becomes dry and extremely difficult to pass. Your veterinarian will need to intervene to resolve the problem.
Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock
4. Anal Gland Problems Happen
Cats have two secretory glands positioned around the anus at roughly the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. These anal glands can become impacted, infected, rupture, or even develop cancer. Any of these issues can cause severe swelling and irritation around the anus.
The good news? Anal gland problems are much less common in cats than in dogs. But if your cat has an irritated rear end with no obvious explanation, it’s worth having a vet check those glands.
5. Dermatitis Shows Up as Skin Issues
If what you’re seeing looks more like a skin problem than internal irritation, dermatitis could be the answer. You might notice inflammation, hair loss, scabs, or discharge around the bottom. Dermatitis itself isn’t a diagnosis; it’s a symptom caused by allergies, insect bites, external parasites, or infections.
Mild dermatitis sometimes responds to home remedies like oatmeal shampoos. But if the problem persists or worsens, your veterinarian needs to create a proper treatment plan.
6. Growths Need Attention
Benign polyps or tumors, like lymphosarcoma, can grow from the rectal wall. These growths irritate the area and make passing feces difficult, leading to inflammation around the anus. A veterinarian can feel these growths during a rectal exam, though occasionally they protrude visibly through the anus.
Skin cancers can also develop around the rear end, appearing red, ulcerated, or inflamed. In most cases, vets will surgically remove these growths or perform a biopsy to determine the next steps.
7. Foreign Bodies Cause Serious Problems
Intestinal foreign bodies are indigestible materials your cat has swallowed that pass into the intestines. Kittens and young cats are notorious for eating string, bone shards, or sharp objects. If the foreign body causes an obstruction, you’ll see straining, abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Some foreign bodies damage the intestinal wall. If the wall is perforated, severe complications like peritonitis and sepsis can occur. This is urgent. If you think your cat is unwell due to an intestinal foreign body, seek veterinary care immediately.
Image Credit: Katho Menden, Shutterstock
8. Rectal Prolapse Is an Emergency
Rectal prolapse happens when part of the rectum comes out of the anus, looking like a red bubble or tube protruding from the body. This usually occurs after severe diarrhea or excessive straining, which means your cat has both the prolapse and whatever underlying condition caused it.
Rectal prolapse requires urgent treatment. Your vet will perform an anesthetic procedure to replace the prolapse and potentially surgery, while also addressing the underlying disease that triggered it.
What You Should Do
If you’re uncertain why your cat’s rear end looks red or inflamed, the best move is scheduling a veterinary exam. Your vet will take a complete history and examine your cat to determine what’s happening. They might perform a rectal exam to check for anal gland issues or growths in the rectum.
Some of these conditions resolve with simple interventions like deworming or dietary adjustments. Others require more intensive treatment, like surgery, antibiotics, or management of chronic conditions. The key is identifying the root cause rather than just treating the symptom.
Don’t ignore persistent redness or inflammation. What starts as a minor irritation can escalate into something more serious if left untreated. Your cat can’t tell you what’s wrong, but their body is giving you clear signals that something needs attention.
Image Credit: olivier.laurent.photo, Shutterstock
The Bottom Line (Literally)
A red, inflamed rear end in cats isn’t normal, but it’s also not necessarily cause for immediate panic. The spectrum runs from relatively minor issues like dietary upset or mild dermatitis to more serious concerns like foreign bodies or rectal prolapse. Your job is recognizing when something looks off and getting professional help to figure out what’s going on.
Regular preventive care, including routine deworming and monitoring your cat’s bathroom habits, goes a long way toward preventing some of these issues. When problems do crop up, early intervention typically means simpler treatment and faster resolution. Your cat might not appreciate the attention to their rear end, but catching these issues early makes a real difference in their comfort and health.
Urgent: South Africa’s Draft Hunting Quotas Threaten Rhinos, Elephants & Leopards—Your Voice Is Needed! – World Animal News
South Africa has published draft export quotas that would allow trophy hunting and international trade of elephants, black rhinos, and leopards, a move that threatens some of the country’s most iconic wildlife. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)released the proposals for public comment, but they are not yet law.
Under the draft quotas, up to 300 elephant tusks could be exported, taken from 150 individual elephants. African elephants are classified as vulnerable in South Africa, and their populations are carefully monitored. Experts warn that killing elephants for their tusks or for sport fuels the illegal wildlife trade and undermines critical efforts to protect these majestic creatures.
The proposals also allow the export of 12 black rhino hunting trophies. Black rhinos are critically endangered, with populations recovering slowly after decades of poaching. Conservationists caution that permitting any lethal take for trophy hunting could jeopardize years of hard-won recovery and put already fragile populations at further risk.
For leopards, the draft quotas propose 11 hunting trophies, limited to one animal per designated hunting zone. Leopards in South Africa are considered near threatened, and their survival is already challenged by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Trophy hunting adds an unnecessary threat to a species that plays a vital role in ecosystem balance and biodiversity.
Non-lethal wildlife tourism and conservation generate far greater economic benefits for South Africa than trophy hunting. Safaris, nature tourism, and eco-tourism bring in billions of rand annually and support an estimated 1.8 million jobs. In contrast, revenue from trophy hunting accounts for only a small fraction of total tourism income. Studies also show that individual elephants, rhinos, and leopards generate far more economic value alive than through one-time hunting fees. Protecting these vital species supports local communities, strengthens the national economy, and safeguards the environment for future generations.
With public consultation now open, South Africans, conservationists, and wildlife advocates around the world have a critical opportunity to speak out against these proposed quotas. The country can choose to prioritize protection over profit, ensuring that elephants, black rhinos, and leopards continue to thrive in the wild.
Take Action to Protect South Africa’s Wildlife:
You have a chance to speak out against these draft hunting quotas and help protect elephants, black rhinos, and leopards. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments or objections within 30 days of the Government Gazette publication regarding the proposed export quotas for 2026 and 2027.
You can send your submissions:
By mail:
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
The Director-General
Attention: Ms Olga Kumalo
Private Bag X 447
PRETORIA 0001
In person:
Reception, Environment House
473 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, PRETORIA
By e-mail:
[email protected]
Read the full notice in the Government Gazette HERE!
Act Now! These majestic animals cannot speak for themselves. Your voice can protect South Africa’s iconic wildlife for generations to come.
Uh oh. A conversation about AI in photography? Let the witch hunt begin. We all know that AI is rapidly becoming a dominant and controversial topic in our industry. I am not here to proclaim one way or another, but simply to open a dialogue between the technical modernization of art and, of course, the purism of the art form.
The water continues to rise due to the overflowing river making it nearly impossible to access the shelters with a vehicle. Staff and volunteers are going by foot through nearby fields or on a boat to rescue and care for the animals.
