4473 Barton Orleans Road Orleans, VT 05860 802-754-2228

April showers bring May flowers and April also brings awareness to a couple of pet health problems that can be prevented. The American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org) offers the following information about these two very serious canine health problems.

April is Lyme Disease Prevention in Dogs Month and National Heartworm Awareness Month.

These two diseases are becoming more serious in our canine friends here in northern New
England than they were in the past.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org) reminds us that March brings Poison Prevention Week, March 15 to 21.
While the emphasis may well focus on raising awareness about household items that are poisonous to children, it’s important to remember that many things in the home are also poisonous to our pets – cats, dogs and yes, even birds and other pets. The AVMA advises that raisins and grapes can be fatal to our canine family members and some plants, such as lilies are poisonous for our feline friends. Some kinds of nuts, such as macadamia nuts can cause paralysis in dogs and sadly, the most potent poisons for our pets are human medications. It’s important to know that many items commonly found in our homes can cause our loyal and beloved animal friends to become critically and perhaps even fatally ill. These items range from foods that they may enjoy eating, but shouldn’t, to cleaning chemicals and prescription drugs.
There are a number of reliable resources available to learn more about items commonly found in our homes that are poisonous to our pets.

February is Be a Responsible Pet Owner Month! There are a number of ways by which we can be “pawsome,” responsible pet parents. It takes lots of love and commitment. Bringing a pet into your home is a lifelong relationship and there are a few basic steps to showing how much you care.

1. Spay or neuter your dog, cat, rabbit or ferret. It’s important not to contribute to pet overpopulation. Hundreds of thousands of animals enter shelters nationwide each year. Many, if not most, face euthanasia. Spaying or neutering not only limits the pet population, it helps to keep your furry friend healthy for a longer period of time.

Everyone at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter wants the holidays to be a happy time for you and your pet and not a time for an emergency visit to your veterinarian. The food and decorations that make the holidays so much fun for us can sometimes be hazardous for our pets. We want you to be aware of some of these hazards so that you can plan accordingly and prevent any potential problems. When in doubt, common sense is always a good strategy!

From all the creatures at PMFAS
- both human and animal –

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Christmas Season and New Year! We thank all those who supported us in so many different ways throughout 2019.

It is only through your generosity, kindness and loyalty that we are able to find homes for over 300 animals each year.

While we anticipate all the unknown challenges and celebrations that the New Year will bring, we especially look forward to our commitment to find loving and compassionate forever homes for those furry friends that find their way to our shelter throughout 2020.

Our best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to you all!