Good Animal News

Celebrating positive news about animals making a difference for people — and people making a difference for animals

A giant black spider with adoorable tiny eyes

A new species of spider with 'never-before-seen features' was discovered in Southern Morocco. It looks like a Pokémon

The male specimens of the family bear an uncanny resemblance to giant ladybugs.

A close up of an array of sea animals including sea slugs and a baby octopus

Tiny 'underwater hotels' for sea creatures help scientists collect 20 new species in ocean's twilight zone

Luiz Rocha has dedicated his life to the study of fish. His latest research uncovered a treasure trove of new sea creatures.

Conservationists delighted by jaguar sighting in Arizona: 'They’re finding what they need'

A rare jaguar sighting is giving conservationists hope in the Grand Canyon State.

From left to right: pangolin, telescope octopus, and kultarr

16,000 new species are discovered every year. Experts say discovery 'far outpaces the rate of species extinctions'

Professor John Wiens from the University of Arizona has shed new light on the pace of new species discoveries — and how it compares to extinction rates.

From left to right: a poison dart frog, a pika, a dumbo flapjack octopus

Scientists discovered thousands of new species in 2025. See 9 that wowed them, from the 'curiously isolated' butterfly to the screaming pika

From a butterfly shaped by 40,000 years of isolation to creatures 1,400 feet below the sea, scientists uncovered thousands of new species in 2025 — and these nine discoveries stood out amongst the rest.

A lake covered by snowy mountains and trees

Researchers find and map 'climate change safe havens' that are more resilient to warming: 'We can buy crucial decades'

The study of climate change refugia — places that are buffered from the worst effects of global warming — has grown rapidly in recent years.

Two photos side by side. On the left, a tan dog plays tug with a plush toy outdoors. On the right, a screenshot of a "Chewy Claus" letter

Donate a pound of food to shelter animals just by writing a letter to Chewy Claus (aka the Santa for pets)

You only have until Christmas Eve to get your letters sent to Chewy Claus!

A dog's paw is held at the vet as a person with gloves checks their vitals.

Only 200 people in the US are certified as a 'veterinary social worker.' Here's why their work's essential

As pet loss takes a serious emotional toll on millions of Americans, a growing field of veterinary social workers is emerging.

Scientists are building a 'Noah's ark' of animal cells on the moon

Smithsonian scientists are working on a lunar vault that will cryopreserve animal cells from Earth’s most endangered species.

An African elephant pours dirt over its head

Elephants are saving African forests — by trampling through them

Although the behavior may appear destructive, it is anything but.

A photo collage of 2 bikers biking on a bicycle lane, a statue of Barbara Rose Johns holding up a book, hero Ahmed el Ahmed in his hospital bed, an aerial view of apartment buildings, and a line of solar panels

Good News This Week: December 20, 2025 - Puppets, Raccoons, & Grandmas

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...

An Australian cave with sunlight leaking in

Scientists discover 'ghost' marsupial species in Australia. It's related to the kangaroo

An exciting fossil discovery unearthed a new species of kangaroo relative in an Australian cave system.