Frequently Asked Questions
Adopting a Pet/Rehoming a Pet I want to adopt a shelter pet. Where is the best place to adopt one and how do I decide what pet is the best one for me? It's a good idea to adopt a shelter pet from a reputable pet adoption organization because these pets have usually been assessed for a good temperament, have received veterinary services including spay/neuter, parasite tests and treatments, placed on necessary preventive medications, and often they have been socialized within a foster home. A good adoption organization can also help you identify a dog or cat whose personality and temperament will fit with your lifestyle and living situation.
Animal Behavior, Training, Communication, and Service How can I keep my dog from barking? Dogs bark for many different reasons. But continuous barking typically indicates a problem of some sort. See web sites listed below for more information about barking.
I have a new dog and want to get him/her housetrained. What's the best way to do this? See the links below for information on housetraining and related topics for your dog.
Animal Welfare, Education, & Community Safety I have unwanted cats around my house that don't belong to me. What can I do about them? You can contact Animal Control for your region and they will come trap and remove the animals. If not quickly claimed or adopted these cats are likely to be euthanized due to overcrowding in the shelters. Alternative options for managing "feral cats" may be obtained from Voices For Animals, Regional Rescue & Adoption Organizations, and via the web links below.
I saw a stray dog on the side of the road and want to help it. What can I do? You can notify Animal Control for the region where the animal is found. Keep your county's phone numbers into your cell phone directory so that you can contact them for assistance if you find a stray. Try to stay with or near the animal until Animal Control officials can arrive but do not endanger yourself by approaching a dog or cat that you do not know. Owners who have lost a pet will often contact Animal Control to see if it has been picked up. Also, Animal Control is typically equipped to house the animal until its owner can be found. Be aware, though, that the many county shelters (including Louisa County) are small and cannot hold unclaimed animals for long periods. The standard period for holding an animal is 7-14 days. Contact the shelter for your county to find out the details for keeping and tending stray animals. You may wish to follow up on the status of a dog or cat that you have referred to Animal Control. For more detailed information about handling stray animals, please see the websites listed below.
I see a group of farm animals that look sickly. What can I do to help? You can notify Animal Control for the region where the problem is . Animal Control can then contact the owner and review the animals to determine the nature of the problem and the necessary steps to resolve it. It's helpful to follow up with Animal Control to see what measures were taken to resolve the problem. I'm concerned about the condition of a pet belonging to my neighbor (or friend). What can I do? You can contact Animal Control for your region to report the problem.
My neighbor's dog barks all the time and disrupts my peace. What can I do about it? See the web site(s) below for information. The site entitled Dealing With A Barking Dog Problem, while tailored for Albemarle County, contains good basic tips about how to deal with a neighbor whose barking dog is causing a problem.
What is a feral cat? A feral cat is an unowned and untamed cat that is no longer domesticated. Feral cats are often born in the wild but they may also be abandoned or lost pets that have become wild. Feral cats are not tamed and will be fearful of people. Feral cats are very common in Virginia. While they have a difficult life with hunger and disease, they survive in the wild long enough to reproduce many unwanted litters of feral cats. See websites below for more information about feral cats and how to manage them.
Health Care, Spay/Neuter, Veterinary & Emergency Svs, and Disaster Planning Help! My dog was sprayed by a skunk! How can I get rid of the smell? Following is a recipe for a skunk odor neutralizing solution:
I think my pet has been poisoned. What can I do? Contact your veterinarian or one of the Animal Poison Hotlines below if you think your pet may have become poisoned or overdosed with a medication.
My dog/cat is pregnant. How should I care for her? If your pet is pregnant, you should contact your veterinarian to make sure that you properly care for her during her pregnancy to avoid problems. Please learn about the importance of spaying and neutering your pet and have your pet spayed to avoid unwanted litters. The web site(s) below also provide some basic helpful tips.
Where is the nearest Emergency Vet? See the following Google map for locations and directions of veterinary emergency services in Central Virginia.
I've lost my dog/cat. What should I do? Contact your local Animal Control Office as well as nearby neighboring regional offices to report your missing pet. After the initial report, check back with them frequently to ask if an animal matching your description has been reported or picked up. You may also need to visit the shelter every few days to see if your pet has been picked up as the shelter staff may not make the connection between the pets in the shelter and your description. Animals in the shelter are only required to be kept for 5 days before they may be euthanized. Be diligent in your search and also talk to neighbors. REMEMBER: The best hope for a lost animal is to have an ID tag. Make sure your pet has a tag attached to a collar with your contact information.
How can I keep my pet free of fleas and ticks? Fleas and ticks are not only a pest to your pets but they can be affect your house and yourself as well and they can cause diseases such Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease from ticks and tapeworms from fleas. The best way to keep your pet free of fleas and ticks is to keep your pet healthy and to treat your pet with a quality flea and tick preventive recommended by your veterinarian or to use non-toxic alternative preventions that may demand more time and effort on your part but may be easier on your pet and the environment . See the web sites below for more information.
How can I keep my pet free of worms? First, practice prevention techniques to avoid worm infestations. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to your pet. Keep flea infestations at bay with regular flea dipping or use of a quality monthly flea and tick prevention treatment such as Frontline. To check for intestinal worms have a stool sample tested by your veterinarian annually. In Virginia, heartworm infestations in dogs are prevalent and deadly. Keep your dog on an approved heartworm treatment medication thoughout the year. Some heartworm prevention medications also prevent common intestinal worms. Consult with your veterinarian for more information.
How should I care for my dog in very cold or very hot weather? Winter Care for Dogs:
I can't keep my dog/cat. How can I find a new home for my pet? With so many more pets in need of homes than there are homes for them, finding a good home for your pet can be very difficult. First, consider whether you may be able to resolve a problem that's causing you to relinquish your pet. You can call our Information Line to explore possibilities (540-967-0999). Also, read these documents about finding homes for homeless pets to be sure you have the best chances for success. You should contact a good quality animal rescue organization for assistance. While they may likely be full and unable to take your animal, they may be able to provide a "courtesy posting" on their web site and other information. I'm taking a trip with my pet. What do I need to know to help make this trip hassle-free? Make sure your pet has tags with your contact information in the event that your pet becomes lost. Also be sure to carry proof of your pet's current rabies vaccination. See web sites below for more important information and tips about traveling with your pet.
What should I be feeding my dog? Feeding your dog a quality food makes all the difference! A dog on a healthy diet will be generally happier, healthier (fewer health problems/vet visits!) , and live longer. The controversies about commercial dog food are intense but if you care about your dog, you should at least be informed about the concerns with commercial foods and how to make the best choices for your dog(s). The following web sites will help in this regard.
Why does my dog need a house? If a dog spends most or all of its time outside, then it needs proper shelter from the elements. Many people in rural areas simply tie their dogs out in a yard without shelter from rain, snow, ice, and sun. Amazingly, many of these dogs will survive for a time but they will be neither happy nor healthy. By law in Virginia all companion animals must have proper shelter and this includes a house. See web sites below for more information.
Where can I get my animal spayed or neutered? Spay and Neuter services are available through your veterinarian or through the following low cost spay and neuter programs available in this region. See the site below for information low-cost programs available in this region to find out what assistance they may be able to offer.
Why should I spay or neuter my pet? 1) Spaying and Neutering is the ONLY effective way to reduce the numbers of excess, unwanted, and neglected dogs and cats.
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