February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Veterinarians and pet health advocates across the country are shining a spotlight on the importance of proper pet dental care and how to treat common pet dental health issues. The Animal Protective Foundation encourages pet owners to set aside some time during National Pet Dental Health Month to examine the dental health of your pets, start a tooth brushing routine and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Animal Chronicles- Feb. Dental Health Month

The Animal Protective Foundation exists because people believe that animals deserve dignity and a second chance. During the past year that belief showed up every day — through adoptions that turned fear into love; through donations that became lifesaving medical care; and through volunteers who gave their time, patience and compassion to animals who needed it most. Because of you, thousands of animals were met not with indifference but with care, and not with uncertainty but with hope. This year, your generosity helped more than 5,500 animals receive compassionate care through our community spay/neuter clinic, pet food pantry program and free community pet wellness clinics. Looking ahead to a year of care, compassion and commitment | Life & Arts | dailygazette.com 

The Animal Protective Foundation proudly stands as the region’s largest public spay/neuter provider thanks to our community clinic, which performed nearly 4,000 spay/neuter surgeries in 2025. There are no restrictions on who can schedule their pet for surgery at the Community clinic, although qualifying pet owners can benefit from the New York State Animal Population Control Program, covering a substantial portion of the costs and making it affordable for everyone. Discover more by visiting our website at animalprotective.org/clinic or contact us at 518-374-3944 ext. 107, or via email at apfclinic@animalprotective.org . Spay/Neuter Awareness Month | Pets | dailygazette.com

One of the greatest joys of having a dog is the bond you build together. Over time, with a little patience and consistency, that bond grows into a shared understanding — a kind of “language” that’s unique to you and your dog and makes everyday life better for both of you. Training your dog isn’t just about teaching commands. It’s also about learning to truly see your dog. As a dog owner, you start to notice how much they communicate through their eyes, ears, tail and body. Paying attention to those signals helps you understand what your dog needs, what excites them and when they might be feeling unsure. That awareness can make training feel more natural, more successful and a lot more enjoyable. Celebrate National Train Your Dog Month - Animal Chronicles

Animal Chronicles with the Daily Gazette: As winter settles in to the Capital Region, the season brings sparkling snow, holiday spirit — and often dangerously cold temperatures. While our pets might look winter-ready in their fur coats, they feel the chill just as much as we do. As the weather turns frigid, it’s important to keep an eye on the hazards cold weather can pose for our furry family members. https://www.dailygazette.com/life_and_arts/pets/keep-your-pets-happy-healthy-this-winter----animal-chronicles/article_555e1d63-c382-4399-a0f5-ce7aad4a4b6d.html

Here at the Animal Protective Foundation, our goal each year is to help even more animals find loving forever homes, and I’m happy to share that we are on track to increase adoptions by 9% over 2024. This progress reflects the dedication of our incredible team — and the compassion of the many people who opened their hearts and homes to new furry family members.  Donate this Giving Tuesday to the APF!

Animal Chronicles March 2, 2026 By Meg Thomas Protect Your Pets from Ticks and Lyme Disease Warmer weather has many of us looking forward to spending more time outdoors with our pets — whether it’s longer walks, backyard playtime, or weekend adventures. However, as we become more active outside, so do ticks. Once temperatures rise above freezing, tick activity increases significantly. Ticks live in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas, waiting to latch onto passing animals or people. They can remain on clothing or fur for hours before attaching to skin. Once they bite, ticks inject an anesthetic so the bite often goes unnoticed. Their saliva also contains an anti-clotting agent that keeps blood flowing and helps anchor them firmly in place. If left attached, ticks can transmit serious illnesses, including Lyme disease. For pets, ticks can easily hide in thick fur. Not only can they attach to dogs and cats, but they can also hitch a ride into your home and potentially make their way to human family members. This is why it is so important to thoroughly check your pet for ticks after every outdoor outing. If you discover one, prompt removal is key. Experts believe ticks generally need to be attached for several hours before transmitting infection, so removing them as quickly as possible can significantly reduce the risk of disease. Lyme disease in pets may cause swollen joints, lameness, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. In addition to Lyme disease, ticks can also carry other serious illnesses such as ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, which can lead to further health complications if left untreated. Given the prevalence of ticks in our region, keeping your pet on a consistent flea and tick preventive is extremely important, especially if they spend time outdoors. There are many options available, including collars, topical treatments, and oral medications. If you’re unsure which product is best for your pet, your veterinarian can provide guidance based on your pet’s age, health, and lifestyle. As Dr. Sos DVM, Veterinary Medical Director at the Animal Protective Foundation, explains, “Tick prevention isn’t optional—it’s a vital part of protecting your pet from painful, preventable diseases like Lyme. A simple monthly preventive can save your pet from serious health complications down the road.” If you find a tick attached to your pet or yourself, proper removal is essential. Shield your fingers with gloves or a paper towel and use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, crushing, or squeezing the tick’s body, as this can increase the risk of infection. Do not use petroleum jelly, hot matches, or alcohol, as these methods may irritate the tick and increase the chance of disease transmission. After removing the tick, disinfect the bite site, wash your hands thoroughly, and give your pet a well-deserved treat for being a good patient. The Animal Protective Foundation wishes you and your pets a warm, sunny, and safe spring. With a little awareness and prevention, you can enjoy the season while keeping your family protected from ticks. Meg Thomas is the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Animal Protective Foundation. APF contributes Animal Chronicles articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Visit animalprotective.org, follow us on social media @AnimalProtectiveFoundation or email chronicles@animalprotective.org.

As responsible pet owners, we want to give our pets the best lives possible. October is National Pet Wellness Month, the perfect time to focus on how we can improve the health and well-being of our pets.

Our canine companions bring so much joy to our lives. If you have been considering adding a new pet to your family, now is a great time to do so, as October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.