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Spaying/Neutering

Spaying/neutering your pet has multiple health benefits including: reducing the desire to roam, reduces the number of unwanted animals in our overcrowded shelters, reduces the risk of tumor/cancers, decreases aggressive behavior, helps animals live longer and healthier lives.

TNR (Trap Neuter Return) – Outdoor Feral Cat Population

Maricopa County has an estimated 250,000 free-roaming outdoor or stray cats. TNR (Trap Neuter Return) is the most effective way to stabilize outdoor cat populations by humanely trapping outdoor cats and then returning them to their colonies once they have been fixed, preventing them from adding to the population and improving quality of life.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Resources

Staying Up to Date on Vaccinations

Staying up to date on your pet’s vaccinations is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. By vaccinating your pet you help to prevent diseases and illness in your pet such asrabies, distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, bordetella, feline leukemia and others. Protect your pet by staying up to date on their vaccinations!

Needing financial assistance for your pet?

The Arizona Pet Project works to support families in need and save lives. Some of the ways they assist with this is through connecting people to Pet Food Assistance Programs near them, directing pet parents to Low-Cost Vet Clinics, and more!

Helpful Pet Owner Tips

Sonoran Desert Toads are toxic to dogs and can be deadly. They are prevalent during the monsoon season, especially after heavy rains. Symptoms include: pawing at mouth, whimpering, heavy panting, difficulty breathing, seizures, increased body temperature, and pacing/odd behavior. Main treatment is flushing the mouth out with water on the side (not allowing animal to swallow more toxins), but vet treatment is often necessary and can include IV and seizure medicine. Keep a close eye on your pet!

 

Keeping your pet active with regular play and exercise is an important part of his/her health and socialization. Find a variety of toys to keep it fresh and new, avoid toys that come apart easily and pose chocking hazard. Many dogs love to de-stuff toys, if this is the case find a non-stuffed toy for your pet. There are several high durability options available as well. 30 minutes of play before bed is a great way to tire out your friend and get a good night sleep (especially cats!). Walks, runs, or outdoor play is important for socialization, bonding, and health of your animal. Keep your animal fit and happy!

Never leave an animal or child in a car, even on a cool day, the temperature rises very quickly and can be deadly!

High quality foods are an important part of your animal’s every day health. It can limit shedding and decrease human allergic reactions. There is more to your pet’s food than the ingredient list. We recommend any brands which follow WSAVA Guidelines and have Veterinary Nutritionists on staff.

What does WSAVA stand for? World Small Animal Veterinary Association

The WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee offers expert, evidence-based nutritional information for companion animals to support the veterinary healthcare team. The committee does not endorse, approve, recommend or support specific products or companies.

The Global Nutrition Committee (GNC) began life in 2010 with the initial task of developing global nutrition guidelines, which were first published in 2011. The goal of these guidelines is to help the veterinary healthcare team and pet owners ensure that dogs and cats are on an optimal nutrition plan tailored to the needs of the individual dog or cat.

You can find the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines and toolkits online.

Ultimately – Find a food you can afford, meets the health needs of your pets, and your pet enjoys. Mix new food in slowly over time if you need to change foods, reduce stomach irritation.