The following is a guest post from Bubbles, one of the office cats at PETA’s Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters.

Hi, I’m Bubbles, PETA’s Director of Office Companionship. It’s a huge job, as you can imagine, providing the other staff with someone to talk to at any time and training them how to be excellent companions as well. As an expert, I wanted to share my insights on companionship with PETA Files readers.

I’ve heard it said that “showing up is half the battle,” and I think that’s true. For me that means making my rounds every day sitting on this person’s desk and that person’s chair, rubbing up against multiple ankles and lying across computer keyboards. For you, that likely means giving your cats attention the moment you get home, playing with them, curling up on the couch with them, brushing them, talking to them and doing whatever they like to do with you. Some cats even enjoy going for walks on a harness. Of course, cats also need toys, cat towers, and window seats to make their days less boring, but quality time and affection is what they crave.

Look, I get it, we’re all busy. I sometimes have to help edit, write letters, help with inclement weather preparations, the list never ends. But being a good companion means making the time. My humans are worth it. And I know your cats are too.

For some more tips, check out 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You, by PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. You can also try to get in touch with me, but I’m rarely at my desk. Lots of companionship to spread around, you know. 

In an important step toward justice for the many rabbits who suffered at Bunny Magic Wildlife & Rabbit Rescue, Inc.—as revealed by PETA—Carole Van Wie,  the operator of that nightmarish hoarding facility, was convicted in court of neglecting rabbits. More importantly, she has promised not to take in any more animals and will be on supervised probation to ensure her compliance.

Van Wie will be turning in her state and federal animal rehabilitator licenses and has vowed to get out of animal rescue work—not that she was actually rescuing any animals, of course. Van Wie must undergo a psychiatric evaluation—which is critical for ensuring that no more animals suffer and die at her hands—and pay back some of the costs of caring for the animals who were seized from Bunny Magic. PETA thanks Calvert County Animal Control, the Tri-County Animal Shelter, and the Calvert County State's Attorney's Office for all their hard work on this case.

What You Can Do

Some "rescuers" are anything but—before handing over any animal, take extra care to ensure that you're not sentencing him or her to a miserable incarceration at the hands of a hoarder. Also, please don't bring any animals into your household if you can't make a lifetime commitment to them. But if you are ready, please consider adopting one (or two) of the adorable rabbits rescued from Bunny Magic!

Want to have your heart warmed? Check out these pictures of former Air Force Sgt. Logan Black's reunion with his Iraq war companion Diego, a dog trained to sniff out bombs. D'awww!

Reunited (and It Feels So Good)

A big "Thank you!" to everyone who responded to PETA's action alert and joined PETA in urging the Air Force to retire Diego and let Logan adopt him. The pair developed their lifelong bond while they were deployed in Fallujah. Logan was serving as Diego's handler when an improvised explosive device detonated inside the truck in which they were riding. To this day, Diego, like many human combatants, trembles at any loud sound.

Upon launching his quest to adopt Diego, Logan said, "Leaving Diego behind … was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Leaving a best friend who had saved my life multiple times over in Iraq." Because of the quick action of PETA's dedicated members and supporters, the military brass made the retirement and adoption happen, and (with apologies to Paul Simon) this sergeant and dog reunion was only a motion away.

Photo: Logan Black

What You Can Do

Don't miss out on a chance to help animals like Diego have happier lives—sign up for PETA's mobile alerts!