Lending a Helping Hand

Homeward Pet’s commitment to our community doesn’t stop with helping homeless animals; we also dedicate ourselves to serving our community’s pets. Two days this past month brought our neighbors to our door: Free Microchip Day and complimentary vet visits from Bothell Care Day.

Just prior to Fourth of July—the day where pets are most likely to escape their homes due to fireworks and other commotion—we welcomed cats and dogs for a free day of microchipping. It’s a simple procedure that takes just a couple of minutes for years of peace of mind. Since microchips can never be separated from a pet, we consider it the best form of identification, helping distraught families reunite with their pets quicker. We know because we’ve seen it more than a few times. The pug below was found by a kind neighbor miles from home, who brought him to Homeward Pet in hopes of finding his owner. Thanks to his microchip, he was reunited with his distressed family within 24 hours.

Thanks to his microchip, this pug was reunited with his family within 24 hours!

By the end of Free Microchip Day, our busy clinic staff had microchipped a stunning 65 cats and dogs!

But our community care didn’t stop there. For several years, we’ve attended Bothell Care Day, a gathering of resources for individuals in need. There, we provide vouchers for free vet exams, and we’re happy to report that 26 pets visited us.

Dr. Jenny Brown, our clinic assistant, Anna, and clinic volunteers saw 18 dogs and 8 cats. Dr. Jenny prescribed medications for allergies, ear infections, arthritis and other ailments to give these animals happier and healthier lives in the care of their devoted families.

These two days aren’t the only ways we provide for our community; learn more about our pet food bank, low-cost spay and neuter clinic, Last Litter program, and microchipping services. We’re thrilled to continue to help our neighbors in whatever ways we can!

We “Noah” Cat for You

Meet Noah, an eight-year-old feline friend who could be the cat of your dreams! He’s been with Homeward Pet since March, so we’ve had a lot of time to get to know all the good things about this mellow guy.

Carolyn, a Homeward Pet volunteer of twelve years, has a lot of for affection Noah and his personality. She spends time each week training cats like Noah to Sit and Touch on the Homeward Pet Cat Behavior Team. After all that time together, she’s gotten to know him pretty well.

“He’s a real lover boy,” she says, scratching him behind the ears. “He would be great company for someone who’s just looking for a quiet companion. He’s so laid-back and mellow.”

“My favorite thing about him,” she continues, “is what a gentle soul he is.”

Part of Noah’s history requires a little explanation, but shouldn’t frighten a potential adopter: Noah tests positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, also known as FIV. This illness affects roughly 1 to 3% of the cat population in the United States and often goes unnoticed in healthy cats for years.

Noah lounging after a big brushing session.

What the illness does to cats is hinder their immune system, making them more vulnerable to other infections. Cats like Noah can continue to live and love with appropriate care for a long time. If you’re thinking about bringing an FIV-positive cat such as Noah into your home, there are a few easy adjustments.

To prevent the spread of infection, your FIV-positive cat should stay indoors, surrounded by the love of you and your family. FIV-positive cats should be separated from FIV-negative cats to lower the risk of transmission. In addition to a regular and balanced diet, your FIV-positive cat should visit your veterinarian every six months for a wellness visit. Always keep an eye on your pet’s health, and alert your veterinarian right away if you notice any changes.

These steps to caring for a cat with FIV aren’t much farther from the regular consistent care that comes with owning any feline friend. Don’t let FIV scare you from falling in love with Noah. If you have any further questions regarding Noah or would like to meet him in person, visit us today!

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