Animals

PAWS & CLAWS: ‘Three Amigos’ rescued from under shed

PAWS & CLAWS: ‘Three Amigos’ rescued from under shed

The Three Amigos — Dusty Bottoms, Harry Flugleman and Carmen — are ready for adoption at the Marblehead Animal Shelter, ideally either paired with another member of their trio or into a home with another playful cat. COURTESY PHOTO The Three Amigos — Dusty Bottoms, a black neutered male; Harry Flugleman, a white-and-black neutered male; and Carmen, a black-and-white spayed female — are sweet, approximately 6-month-old domestic short-haired kittens. Like all kittens, they love to eat, play and sleep, according to volunteers at the Marblehead…
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GUEST COLUMN: When the snowstorm hit, animal rescue went into overdrive

GUEST COLUMN: When the snowstorm hit, animal rescue went into overdrive

Submitted by Kate Thomson of Marblehead Here in the Northeast, we’re well-versed in winter storm prep. Streets get salted, parking bans go into effect, there’s a run on milk, bread and Bailey’s. We hunker down and wait it out. But for animal rescue groups, a major weather event like this can wreak havoc. This weekend, the team at Sweet Paws Rescue in Groveland (MA Rescue License # 0078) was working around the clock to make sure that the 23 puppies and four adults that arrived…
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You decide: Logo design contest for Animal Shelter’s Adopt-a-Cat Month

You decide: Logo design contest for Animal Shelter’s Adopt-a-Cat Month

Students at Marblehead High School have designed five logos, and now it is your turn to decide which will appear on T-shirts to promote the Marblehead Animal Shelter’s Adopt-a-Cat Month in June. Voting will take place online and will be open between Monday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 24. Once voting opens, cast your vote for your favorite design by scanning the QR code seen here.  The Marblehead Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter operated by Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals, a non-profit organization established…
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PAWS & CLAWS: Hen needs new nest to settle into

PAWS & CLAWS: Hen needs new nest to settle into

Hen, also known as The Boss, was a wonderful mom to her kittens, according to volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter. Her foster mom reported that she was quiet at first and a little opinionated but became very sweet and playful once she settled in. “She just needed time,” the foster mom said. Shelter volunteers believe Hen — a.k.a. The Boss — will blossom once she settles into a permanent home. COURTESY PHOTO After getting so comfortable in her foster home, Hen is a little…
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CUZNER IN NATURE: Hooded merganser looks majestic in Joe Brown’s Pond

CUZNER IN NATURE: Hooded merganser looks majestic in Joe Brown’s Pond

By Rick Cuzner The fall and winter months are a great time to search for ducks and water fowl. I see a lot of hooded mergansers in both local ponds and estuaries. The marsh down in Forest River is an excellent place to see them. Along with the Hoodies, I often see harlequin ducks, pintails, longtails and an assortment of others.spiders for protein, often catching them in mid-air or plucking them from spider webs. The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner,…
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Turkey call: Current gobble gallery

Turkey call: Current gobble gallery

It’s quite the comeback story. Once nearing extinction, wild turkeys have returned to Marblehead in force. They wander across front lawns, halt traffic at busy intersections and congregate on playgrounds and in cemeteries. For the latest installment of the Current’s “Turkey Call,” we asked readers to share their best turkey sightings. Consider this your 2025 gobble gallery. Thanks to everyone who contributed! Lloyd Thompson snapped a photo of this regal turkey on Whittier Road. Jenn Shore snapped the moment her cat sized up a neighborhood…
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Locals support rescue pups, amid surge in need

Locals support rescue pups, amid surge in need

Two Marblehead women have taken on the selfless task of fostering dogs for a North Shore rescue, as the state faces a growing crisis of lost and abandoned dogs and cats; a phenomenon that exploded after COVID hit in 2020, overcrowding shelters and tapping out the number of people willing to foster. “What do we do with all of the animals in need when there are not enough people to adopt and pay for the life of the animal?” said Cynthia Sweet, the passionate and…
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Marblehead’s most traveled cat?

Marblehead’s most traveled cat?

Riley Sugarman was volunteering at the Marblehead Animal Shelter in June 2020 when a litter of kittens arrived. That’s when she met Freddie. “All his food was completely untouched and then once I came in I reached my hand into the cage and pet him. And he starts eating for the first time. And cats, if they eat in front of you, they trust you so I went home and told my parents. I was like ‘This cat, he's the one,’” said Sugarman.  Freddie waiting…
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PAWS AND CLAWS: Melanie will bring laughter to your home

PAWS AND CLAWS: Melanie will bring laughter to your home

Breed: Domestic shorthair Size: Small Age: Young Sex: Female Melanie is a playful, friendly kitty that is under a year old. Melanie loves to play hide and seek under her bed with you, according to volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter. Volunteers will go up to her cage and not see her in it when all of a sudden she pops her head out from under her blanket. “She is sure to bring laughter to your home — just make sure you have plenty of…
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Paws & Claws: Help spare Ebony from ‘shelter life’

Paws & Claws: Help spare Ebony from ‘shelter life’

Volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter are hoping to rehome Ebony before she has to enter “shelter life.” COURTESY PHOTO Breed: Domestic shorthair Size: Medium Age: Senior Sex: Female Ebony is an 11-year-old spayed female who will be going through some major challenges in her life shortly. One of her owners was moved to a nursing home, and her other owner is having some health issues. The family has opted to surrender her to a shelter. Ebony is shy when people are around, but when…
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