Rabies. The word conjures an image of an angry animal frothing at the mouth and running wild ready to sink its teeth into anything that moves. While that’s unpleasant to consider, what’s worse is that such a bite is often fatal.

FeLV is a retrovirus that infects cats and is responsible for more deaths than any other organism. It is, unfortunately, not uncommon. FeLV is highly contagious and is easily spread once a cat has been in close contact with another infected cat. Kittens and immune-compromised cats are more susceptible to the disease. Cats can contract the virus through saliva, urine, using the same litter box, nursing, and cat bites.

In 2009, Petfinder designated the third week of September as “Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week.” This annual celebration was launched to help recognize and promote those pets that are considered to have less adoptable traits, such as senior pets, FIV cats, and special needs animals. This year’s celebration week is September 16-22, 2019.

It is a common perception that cats are virtually no-maintenance compared to their other four-legged counterparts. This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. It is easy to mistake feline independence for “low-maintenance.” Some people think you can throw a cat box in the laundry room and keep food and water down for them and call it a day. Easy peasy care - until it isn't.

If you take your dog or cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups, you’ve probably been asked at one time or another to bring in some of your pet’s poop for a fecal exam. But what exactly is a fecal exam? Why are fecal exams essential to your pet’s health?

Effective vaccines can give you peace of mind when it comes to the good health of your pets. And in fact, many states and municipalities require proof of immunization for dogs and cats. Can you imagine encountering a rabid dog on your daily walk with Fido?

Roundworms are intestinal parasites that can affect our pets, and they can even be passed along to us! While many puppies and kittens are actually born with roundworms, they can be managed and cleared, and you can protect your pet all the way through adulthood.

While microchips can be extremely effective for identifying lost pets and reuniting them with their families, a happy reunion can’t occur if the microchip registration is incorrect – or if your pet isn’t microchipped at all! Many cat owners wonder why they should bother having their feline friends microchipped if they are indoor-only.