Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, spending time with his daughters, and coffee.

Articles by Matthew Russell

Side-by-side image of a brown dog eating kibble from a white bowl with scattered pieces on the floor and a gray cat eating dry food from a green bowl on a tiled surface.

Thousands of Families Still Feel the Pain of the Deadliest Pet Food Recall

A routine meal turned deadly for pets across North America when contaminated food slipped into stores and homes. The fallout left families grieving, vets scrambling, and basic trust in the...

Thousands of Families Still Feel the Pain of the Deadliest Pet Food Recall

A routine meal turned deadly for pets across North America when contaminated food slipped into stores and homes. The fallout left families grieving, vets scrambling, and basic trust in the...

Young tabby cat with one cloudy eye standing on carpet beside a leafy houseplant, looking upward.

Nearly Blind Kitten Rescued From Woods Fights Back and Finds Hope

He was alone in the woods, nearly blind, badly sick, and running out of time. Now Barti the kitten is alive, healing, and finally getting the chance every rescued animal...

Nearly Blind Kitten Rescued From Woods Fights Back and Finds Hope

He was alone in the woods, nearly blind, badly sick, and running out of time. Now Barti the kitten is alive, healing, and finally getting the chance every rescued animal...

Sea turtle stranded on a beach covered in thick algae or debris, lying near the shoreline.

Beach Rescue Saves World’s Rarest Sea Turtle From the Brink

She looked more like a moss-covered rock than a living animal. But beneath the algae, barnacles, and sludge was one of the rarest sea turtles on Earth, barely hanging on....

Beach Rescue Saves World’s Rarest Sea Turtle From the Brink

She looked more like a moss-covered rock than a living animal. But beneath the algae, barnacles, and sludge was one of the rarest sea turtles on Earth, barely hanging on....

Person sitting on a sidewalk holding a small dog wrapped in their arms, both resting on a piece of cardboard.

California Shelters Opened Their Doors To Pets And Helped More People Get Off The Streets

What happens when a shelter stops forcing people to choose between safety and the animal they love? In California, one pet-friendly pilot changed lives, opened doors, and helped more people...

California Shelters Opened Their Doors To Pets And Helped More People Get Off The Streets

What happens when a shelter stops forcing people to choose between safety and the animal they love? In California, one pet-friendly pilot changed lives, opened doors, and helped more people...

A hand holds a microchip scanner in front of a Jack Russell Terrier type dog.

Detroit Man Reunites With Stolen Dog After 6 Months Thanks To Microchip

A Detroit man spent six months not knowing whether he would ever see his dog again. Then a discovery inside an abandoned home changed everything.

Detroit Man Reunites With Stolen Dog After 6 Months Thanks To Microchip

A Detroit man spent six months not knowing whether he would ever see his dog again. Then a discovery inside an abandoned home changed everything.

Split image showing a curious cat peering over a ledge on the left and a dog running across green grass with city buildings behind it on the right.

Panic Flights Out of Dubai Leave Helpless Pets Behind

As fear spreads across Dubai, some families are escaping first and leaving their pets behind. Shelters are packed. Rescuers are exhausted. Cats and dogs are being found alone, hungry, and...

Panic Flights Out of Dubai Leave Helpless Pets Behind

As fear spreads across Dubai, some families are escaping first and leaving their pets behind. Shelters are packed. Rescuers are exhausted. Cats and dogs are being found alone, hungry, and...