Candy/Chocolate Dangers

Candy and chocolate are delicious snacks for us, but dangerous for our pets to eat! Be sure to keep all sweet treats out of your pet’s reach this holiday season, to ensure they are happy, healthy, and safe.

Cats & Car Engines

Have you heard about the danger of car engines for outdoor cats? Our car engines often stay warm for hours after our cars have been shut off, making the perfect warm place for an outdoor cat to sleep. If a car is started while a cat is lying on the engine, the cat could be injured or killed! Always knock on the hood of your car before you start it…you could save a life!

Halloween Safety for Pets

Halloween can be exciting for us, with friends coming over in costume, kids knocking on the door for candy, and even our pets might be dressed up. Before the holiday begins, we encourage you to take some time to think about your pet’s safety and their feelings. Make sure they have a quiet place to relax, out of sight of the unusually-costumed people and out of hearing of the continual door knocks. Make sure if your pet is in costume that they’re wearing something comfortable that isn’t restrictive and can be easily removed if they become uncomfortable. If your pet acts strangely on Halloween, odds are that it’s because they’re anxious, and need a quiet place to unwind.

Employee New Pet

We are proud to highlight, Bentley, the newest pet of our very own Linda Morris! Bentley is a 14 week old ragdoll kitten and the newest addition to Linda's home!

Today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

Today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day: a day set aside to educate pet owners about the danger of obesity in pets, and a day for pet owners to look at their options when it comes to their pet’s health. We encourage all pet owners to contact us if they’re concerned about their overweight pets. If you have questions, we can help determine a diet and exercise plan that will improve your pet’s health and increase their life-expectancy. Just ask!

Fall Football Gatherings & Pets

Do you like to go to football games or tailgate parties in the fall? If you’re planning on bringing your pet, it’s important to make sure that they’re safe. Picnic foods –such as greasy burgers, sugary desserts, ribs, chicken with bones, and shish-kabob sticks—can be extremely dangerous for your pet if they’re consumed! Also charcoal grills can be easily knocked over by excited or skittish pets, causing injuries. Remember to keep your pet safe and secure while you’re engaging in activities that could be dangerous for them.

Tomorrow is International Homeless Animal Day

Tomorrow is International Homeless Animal Day. If you own a pet rescued from a shelter, give them an extra scratch behind the ears this Saturday to show them they’re loved. If you’re thinking about expanding your family, remember to check local shelters and consider offering a homeless animal a chance at a new life!

Over-the-Counter Medications & Pets

It’s important to keep your medicines out of your pet’s reach at all times, because human medication can be toxic to your pets! When your pet feels sick or is acting under the weather, never give them a human medicine, but bring them in for veterinary care instead. Even if you mean well, a dose of human medicine could be fatal to your pet.

Cleaning Pet Toys

Your dog's favorite toy doesn't have to be thrown away when it's dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it IS time to throw away. Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water and can even go in your dishwasher for cleaning, but run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. Softer toys, like ropes, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them by wetting the toy and microwaving it for a full minute. For stuffed animal toys, try throwing them in the washing machine when they are dirty. Throw away any toys with dangling parts, stuffed animal eyes, etc. and any toys that your pet is actually eating...unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating it.

We are proud to highlight Rescue, a 5 week old kitten who is owned by our very own Dr. Barnes!

Pet Beach Safety

Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun adventure, but it can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Before you go, be sure to check the local ordinances to make sure you are going to a dog-friendly beach. Make sure to pack fresh drinking water, food, a blanket, and a sun-shelter that your pet can relax under on the hot sand. Don’t forget, being safe is the key to having fun!

Fishing Safety

Fishing is a great summertime activity for you and your dog, but don’t forget to take every precaution for your pet’s safety before you go! Be mindful of fish hooks around your pet as they may get curious and hook their skin or even ingest the hook! Be sure you equip your pet with a life jacket too! We want your fun fishing experiences with your pet this summer season to be a happy one!

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Pets & Heatstroke

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your pet. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Pugs, Lhasa Apsos, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs are at a highly increased risk of heat stroke because their facial structure can make panting, the body’s way of cooling off, ineffective. This increased panting can actually interfere with their breathing, which may develop into respiratory distress. Protect your pet and keep them cool as the weather gets warmer this summer.

Snake Story

As a veterinarian, I have the privilege to hear all the wonderful animal hero stories. Such as, dog's waking the family when someone has a seizure, dogs going to the phone when it is ringing in a deaf person's house, but I had never heard a snake story before.

One day a client relayed this harrowing story to me. "One night, my family and I were camping with our Hound dog. I got up early, about 5am, because she was barking and wouldn't stop. I got out my flashlight, and aimed it where she was pointing. There, with it's mouth completely open, was a Cottonmouth Snake, coiled around the bottom of the picnic table. If I would have gone over innocently to make coffee, and sat down, I would be a dead man. That Hound dog saved my life."

Hurricane Season is Here!

Hurricane Season is here! Planning in advance for a natural disaster is the best way to be prepared. The team at Kindness Animal Hospital recommends that you have at least a two week supply of food, especially if on a prescription diet and 3-4 weeks of medications on hand. If an evacuation occurs, you’ll be ready with all the necessities that you will need to keep your pet safe. If you have any questions regarding hurricane season and your pet…please call us at 239-542-7387. 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month! Ensure your pets are included in emergency evacuation plans and safety procedures. With owners caring for pets as true family members, the majority of owners stated they would take their pets with them in the event of a disaster including 76 percent of dog owners and 67 percent of cat owners, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2011 / 2012 National Pet Owners Survey. The following are helpful preparation tips and products manufactured by APPA members to keep in mind for the whole family should disaster strike.

Stock Food & Water
Ensure pets have a vast supply of food and water to last for at least three days if needed. Non-perishable canned or freeze-dried foods are great to pack up and easy for storing at room temperature. Visit http://stewartpet.com/our-products/freeze-dried-food/for a selection of easy-to-store freeze-dried foods by Stewart^®.

Provide Fido with Float Gear
In the case of a hurricane or flood, ensure pets remain safe, afloat and visible at all times. Click Fido into a floatation vest and check out http://www.kurgostore.com/products/Surf%252dn%252dTurf-.htmlfor dog life vests, coats and more.

Pack First Aid Essentials
Prepare for any situation with essential first aid items for pets including bandages, antiseptics, and other proper tools. Should a pet need minor wound treatment or stabilizing, be ready to go with a packed first aid kit. Visit www.PawFlex.comfor disposable, tough and fur-friendly bandages.

Ensure Pets are Identifiable
Should a pet get lost in a crowd or separated during the hustle and bustle of an evacuation, ALWAYS ensure pets are easily identifiable and able to be tracked down no matter where you end up. Double check pets are secure with identification tags and all emergency contact information is up-to-date including alternate contact information in case you are forced to evacuate your house. Visit www.PetHub.comfor tags with GPS and scanning capabilities.

Mobilize the Earth for Earth Day 2012

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed,and the modern environmental movement was born.

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, in the face of global inaction on pressing environmental problems, we must harness that power.

Earth Day Network is calling upon individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to Mobilize the Earth™ and demand that environmental issues become a top priority.

Employee NEW Pet

Dr. Jennifer Stratton is the proud new owner of "ChiChi", a German Shorthaired Pointer.

Employee NEW Pet

Jessica Sears is the proud new owner of "Blue", a Pit-Bull puppy.

Pets & Easter Lilies

Lilies are a popular Easter flower, but did you know that they can actually be toxic to your pet? Like the Christmas poinsettias, lilies can attract the attention of your pet, especially cats, and then have a toxic effect when ingested. Keep those Easter lilies far from your pet's reach this season, or look into artificial options. The art of artificial flowers have gotten so advanced that your guests won't be able to tell the difference...and your pet will be safe.

Today is Every Day is Tag Day!

Today is Every Day Is Tag Day, a day to encourage all pet owners to tag and microchip their companion animals. What have you done to make your pet identifiable if they become lost?