When Do I Switch from Kitten to Cat Food?

A kitten's high-calorie diet needed for a healthy first year gradually declines after their first birthday. At that point, you'll need to start switching to adult cat food.

If your cat has any special nutritional needs, talk to your veterinarian about which food meets your pet's needs. When you make the decision on which food to use, introduce the cat over a period of about 7-1o days. Mix equal amounts of the new and current food and gradually reduce the old food until they are eating a full serving of adult cat food.

Pay attention to make sure your cat doesn't have a loss of appetite or any allergic reactions to the food. After that, your furbaby is on its way to being an adult! Hide the car keys! ;)

Reference for this article found here

It's a NO: Leaving Dogs In Cars

Even just for a minute, leaving a dog in a car can be extremely dangerous. 

A car's temperature rises approximately 40 degrees an hour with most of the temperature increase in the first 30 minutes. On hot days, cars can reach 120 degrees in just minutes! 

Shade, air conditioning or cracking the windows aren't appropriate solutions, either - dogs can still suffer from injury, heatstroke or noxious fume build-up.

Here are a few great tips from Petfinder for alternatives to leaving a dog in a vehicle. Be safe, not sorry! Your furbaby will thank you!

Reference: http://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care/gallery-7-reasons-to-never-leave-your-dog-in-a-car-summersafetytips/

Barktoberfest Dog Costume Contest - Sponsored by Aplin Ridge Roughlanders 4H

Adopt a Shelter Pet this Fall!

Recognizing Canine Allergies - 6 Tips

Check out this great infographic about canine allergies! You can see the full article here: 

http://www.chastainvets.com/748319/2013/08/29/allergy-alert-recognizing-canine-allergies---infographic.html

Thanks for this great post, Chastain Veterinary Medical Group!

Our Vision Is Worth Some Awareness...

The Jackson County Animal Shelter has a vision and a goal for the future. Not only are we here to take care of animals without homes and find them new families, our goals also include more.

The JCAS wants to educate others on the importance of animal control, responsibilities and care. We hope that education and awareness will spread the word and help put an end to homeless pets and neglect.

Also, we hope to serve as a network for our area to not only find animals homes, but to share lost animals to return them to owners. We hope our Facebook page grows and evolves into something that Jackson County residents use as more of a site to look at homeless animals, but as a resource to help others locate lost pets, maybe find some great tips for animal owners or simply share posts on personal pages in hopes we can reach an even bigger audience.

Save a life...adopt a shelter pet. YOU can help US make a difference!

Visit our Facebook page today - www.facebook.com/jacksoncountyanimalshelter

Autumn - Time To "FALL" In Love With A Shelter Pet!

It's Fall!

The leaves are changing, the temperature is cooling down and our furry friends at Jackson County Animal Shelter are still hoping to find a 'Forever Home'!

Do you have room to adopt a new friend? Or, would you be willing to Foster an animal or sponsor one? There are so many ways to help, we hope you'll find it in your heart to help our animals find homes.

The Jackson County Animal Shelter is excited for three BIG Fall Events this year!

On September 21st, ARF (Animal Rights Fur-Ever) is hosting their 5th annual "We ARF Here Fur Dessert" Night! This event is from 6-9 at the Ripley High School Cafeteria in the Annex Building. Admission is FREE, Desserts are FREE and there are silent auctions, prizes and a ton of fun to support orphan pets in Jackson County.

On Saturday, October 5th the Jackson County Animal Shelter will be riding in the Ravenswood Octoberfest Parade with the theme, "Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin"! Do you want to share your ideas or ride in the parade? Let us know!

On October 26th, the first annual BARKTOBERFEST is taking place on the Jackson County Courthouse Lawn! This event will be a day of fun for families, friends AND pets with activities including pet costume contests, lock-ups, face painting and more. We will even have furry friends seeking homes from the shelter at the lawn so you can take a look at these sweeties! No ghosts or ghouls in this group! Just sweet babies who need a family of their own.

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