October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Presented by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), it’s a great time to consider adopting a homeless dog from the shelter.

With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year, the Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country. So if you’re thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, there’s certainly no lack of selection when it comes to finding the perfect shelter dog!

By adopting, you’ll not only be saving a dog’s life, but also you’ll gain a grateful new companion. Here are a few more benefits to adopting a shelter dog:

Less Training

Not all dogs that end up in shelters are there because of behavioral problems. In fact, 10 percent of them are there due to a change in living situation, like moving to an apartment that doesn’t allow pets or the addition of a new baby. So while some dogs at the shelter have been surrendered due to temperament issues, the vast majority are simply victims of circumstance.

Complete with an Owners Manual

Animal shelters and rescue organizations provide new owners with an array of material on their new dog’s personality, temperament, habits and other general qualities on training. They’ll let you know about common behavior problems, feeding, general care and more. Many of the larger shelters even offer free, 24-hour help hotlines for any question you might have about your newly adopted pet.

An Affordable Option

Adopting a shelter dog can be less expensive than brining home a purebred animal from a specialized breeder. Some may argue that going through a breeder is the only way to get a “quality” pet, but anyone who has ever visited a shelter knows that that is just a myth. There are plenty of cute pets with wonderful personalities, hoping to have an owner like you take care of them!

For more information on National Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month visit www.aspca.org/adoption/adopt-a-shelter-dog-month/

So what exactly is Pet Wellness month? The goal of Pet Wellness Month is to raise awareness of pet health whether it’s the pet aging process, disease prevention or the importance of veterinary visits. The month is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal health and encourages all pet owners to make their pet’s health and quality of life a priority.

Here are a few tips to ensure your pet is happy and healthy:

Routine Screenings

As most of us would agree, prevention of diseases is key in maintaining your pet’s health. Planned visits to your Vet at least twice a year are a great way to ensure your pet’s health and wellness. Keeping an open flow of communication between you and your pet’s vet is always a good idea, especially if you notice something different about your animal.

Do the Research

Learning about the pet aging process is a wonderful indicator about what health conditions you can expect and prepare for. Certain wellness factors can depend on size, breed and gender or your animal. By researching your pet you will know what you can do to increase their health and wellness which will ultimately increase their life span!

Protect your Pet

• Don’t let your pet come into contact with other pet’s urine or feces

• Make sure your pet doesn’t drink from standing water outdoors

• Remove garbage or nesting materials that may attract wildlife

• Check your pet for fleas and ticks after they spend time outdoors

For more information on keeping your pet healthy, visit www.vetsbest.com

National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) is October 11-17. Created in 1994 by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), this event has been celebrated annually during third week of October to recognize veterinary technicians for their contributions to the healthcare team.

Fittingly enough, this year’s theme is “Linking the Veterinary Healthcare Team.” Educated in the latest medical advances, veterinary technicians work skillfully alongside veterinarians to give pets the best medical care possible. This year’s theme spotlights the essential link they create by working closely with not only vets, but also vet assistants, practice managers, patients and owners.

On any given day veterinary technicians are responsible for animal nursing, administering medications, assisting in surgery, taking radiographs, performing ultrasounds, inducing and monitoring anesthesia, performing dentistry, managing the hospital and performing lab tests.

So as a pet owner, how do you celebrate NVTW? Well, there are a lot of things you can do – here are a few ideas to get you started:

•  Volunteer at a local clinic or at an event they’re having

•  Donate to a clinic or shelter on behalf of a veterinarian technicians

•  Send flowers or a card to a veterinarian technicians that has helped you and your pet

Happy Veterinary Technician Week to all the vet techs out there!

To find out more information on NVTW or NAVTA visit www.navta.net

Cancer has effected just about everyone in one way or another. Even our four-legged family members have battled this disease.

According to the Morris Animal Foundation, cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. It’s estimated that 6 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the US each year, of which mast cell tumors are the second most common tumor type and are often seen as lumps in the skin. These tumors are classified as grade I, II, III, with grade III being the most severe.

Recently the Federal Drug Administration approved the first canine cancer therapy in the US that treats grade II and III tumors. It works by blocking the activity of key receptors important for the development of blood vessels that supply tumors, as well as receptors critical for tumor survival.

Because dogs have a shorter lifespan than humans, cancer usually progresses much faster in them, so having a new therapy proven to help fight cancer is a tremendous step forward!

For more information visit, www.nydailynews.com