Every year, thousands of dogs and cats enter shelters through no fault of their own. One of the most effective ways to reduce shelter overcrowding and improve animal welfare is through spaying and neutering.

Spaying and neutering helps prevent unwanted litters, which directly reduces the number of animals entering shelters. Beyond population control, these procedures offer significant health and behavioral benefits. Pets that are spayed or neutered are less likely to develop certain cancers, roam away from home, or display aggression-related behaviors.

For shelters, spay and neuter programs are critical. When fewer litters are born, shelters can focus more resources on caring for existing animals, improving medical care, and helping pets find permanent homes.

As a community, choosing to spay or neuter your pet is an act of compassion. It protects your animal, supports shelters, and helps ensure fewer pets are left without homes.

How you can help:
• Spay or neuter your pets
• Support low-cost spay/neuter programs
• Educate friends and family about its importance

The Truth About Pet Surrender
Many people believe pets end up in shelters because they are unwanted or unlovable. In reality, most animals are surrendered due to life circumstances — not a lack of love.

Common Reasons Pets Are Surrendered
Families often face challenges that make caring for a pet difficult, including:

• Financial hardship

• Housing restrictions

• Unexpected medical expenses

• Limited access to training or behavioral support

Even the most devoted pet owners can feel overwhelmed when these obstacles arise.

How Shelters Help Keep Pets at Home
Whenever possible, shelters work to support families before surrender becomes the only option. Resources may include:

• Pet food assistance programs

• Behavior and training guidance

• Temporary foster care during crises

• Connections to local community support services

Why Keeping Families Together Matters
When pets can stay with their families, everyone benefits — especially the animals. Stability helps reduce stress, improve overall health, and strengthen the lifelong bond between pets and their people.

❤️ How You Can Help
Small actions make a big difference:
✔ Support community pet assistance programs
✔ Foster temporarily for families in need
✔ Share resources that help pet owners stay together

Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate community — one that keeps pets where they belong: home.

❤️ Heartworm Prevention & Treatment: What Every Pet Owner Should Know ❤️

Heartworm disease is a serious, but 100% preventable, condition that affects dogs (and sometimes cats). It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, and just one bite is all it takes.

What are heartworms?
Heartworms are parasites that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Over time, they can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and even death if left untreated.

Why prevention matters
• Heartworm prevention is simple, affordable, and safe
• Monthly prevention protects your pet year-round
• Treatment is much more costly, lengthy, and risky than prevention

Heartworm Treatment
If a dog tests positive, treatment is possible—but it is a long process that requires:
• Strict activity restriction
• Multiple veterinary visits
• Medications and injections over several months
• Close monitoring for complications

While treatment saves lives, it is physically and emotionally demanding for both pets and owners. That’s why prevention is always the best option.

Prevention is easy
• Monthly chewable, topical, or injectable preventatives
• Annual heartworm testing
• Consistent, year-round protection—even in cooler months

How you can help shelter pets
Many shelter dogs come from situations where preventatives were not available. By adopting, fostering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, you help give these animals a healthier future.

Protecting your pet from heartworms means giving them more time, more comfort, and more love.

If you have questions about heartworm prevention or testing, talk to your veterinarian—or message us. We’re always happy to help.

Prevention saves lives.