November 21, 2011: We’ve scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it’s all right here.

Aimee Ryding with rescue dogs

Michigan Woman Saves Hundreds of Dogs From Kill Shelters

At least 400 canines and their adopted families have Aimee Ryding to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. After she rescued her puggle, Mandy, from an Indiana shelter (the pup had just three days left to live), Ryding started her own rescue out of her Michigan home. In the year and a half since she launched the rescue, Ryding has saved dogs from kill shelters across the country. — Read it at Today

Cats Compete in Agility Courses, Too

Two big annual cat shows over the weekend hosted by The International Cat Association and The Cat Fanciers’ Association featured feline agility courses. Although any registered cat can give it a shot, and many enter the ring cold — others are expertly trained to tackle the obstacles. Some cats fly through the course, but “there are people there shaking a feather for what seems like an eternity, and the cat just looks at the person and says, ‘I don’t think so,’” said Maryland breeder Anthony Hutcherson in an interview with The New York Times. — Read it at The New York Times

Plus: Teresa Rodney tells Vetstreet what it takes to train her agility dog Sprint, a Flat-Coated Retriever.

Black Bear Run-Ins Are on the Rise

Black bears, which were nearly extinct just 40 years ago in some parts of the U.S., are abundant now — and running into trouble with humans at campsites and suburban neighborhoods. Although the bears prefer to steer clear of humans, drought conditions in the South and the Midwest have led them to scavenge for food in some unexpected places in an attempt to pack on the pounds before hibernating for the winter. — Read it at the Wall Street Journal

Oreo the cat

Oreo the Cat Returns Home After Five Years

When Tamara and Wes Bowen moved to New York five years ago for work, they left their cat, Oreo, with a friend. But Oreo ran away, and she has been missing ever since. Recently, Tamara heard from a colleague that a cat rescue group was looking for her because Oreo had been found. The kitty has now been reunited with the Bowens in Maryland. — Watch it at ABC 2 News

Dog vs. Toddler: Who’s Smarter?

A writer decided to put this question to the test by spending a week observing similarities and differences between her 2-year-old child and a 4-year-old dog. — Read it at The New York Times

Bo Obama, Campaigning Canine

As the first dog’s owner kicks his 2012 re-election campaign into high gear, he’s turning to his best friend for some help. The Obama campaign is selling buttons that feature the famed Portuguese Water Dog giving his support to President Barack Obama. — Read it at People Pets

Australian Dog Gets Behind the Wheel of a Mobile Home

A 2-year-old German Koolie named Woodley is very observant. His owner says that the dog has watched him drive, which is reportedly why Woodley decided to give it a shot himself when his owner was in a store. “I came out and saw the bus going down the road,” said Richard McCormack. A bystander managed to jump through an open window and stop the mobile home. — Read it at UPI