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St. Johns County Pet Center

March 2026 Newsletter

March Pet Safety Tips for Florida Pet Parents

March in Florida brings warmer days, blooming flowers, and more time outdoors with our furry friends but it also comes with a few seasonal hazards to keep in mind. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping pets safe, healthy, and happy this spring!

Watch Where You Walk
As temperatures rise, snakes become more active. Keep dogs on a leash during walks, especially near tall grass, ponds, or wooded areas. If you spot a snake, calmly move away and avoid letting curious noses investigate.

Bug Season Is Back
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes thrive in Florida’s spring weather. Make sure your pets are on yearround flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. A quick check after outdoor playtime can help catch pests before they become a problem.

Beware of Toxic Plants
Spring gardening is in full swing, but some popular plants and fertilizers can be harmful to pets. Azaleas, lilies, Sago Palms, and certain mulches are toxic if ingested. Always supervise pets outdoors and store garden chemicals securely.

Hydration & Heat Awareness
March may feel mild, but Florida sunshine can heat things up quickly. Bring water on walks, avoid the hottest parts of the day, and never leave pets in parked cars even for a short time.

Spring Break & Open Doors
With guests coming and going, it’s easier for pets to slip out unnoticed. Make sure collars and ID tags are up to date, microchips are registered, and doors and gates are securely closed.

Spring is a wonderful time to explore, play, and enjoy the outdoors together. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure March is full of safe adventures and wagging tails.

Hoppy Easter!!!

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( ･ ༝ ･)

Pet Safety Tips for a Joyful Holiday

Easter is a wonderful time for family gatherings, egg hunts, sweet treats, and spring celebrations. As you prepare for the festivities, don’t forget to keep your furry family members safe, too! Here are a few quick tips to help your pets enjoy a safe and Happy Easter:

Keep Candy Out of Reach

Chocolate and sugar-free candies (especially those containing xylitol) can be toxic to pets. Store Easter baskets and candy high up and supervise children to prevent accidental sharing.

Be Mindful During Egg Hunts

Plastic eggs can become choking hazards, and real eggs left behind may spoil and cause stomach upset if discovered later by a curious nose.

Secure the Grass & Decorations
Plastic Easter grass, ribbons, and small decor items can cause dangerous intestinal blockages if ingested. Choose paper grass or tissue filler instead.

Provide a Quiet Space
If you’re hosting guests, some pets may feel overwhelmed. Create a calm, comfortable area where they can relax away from the excitement. With a little preparation, pets can enjoy a safe and festive holiday. Wishing you and your pets a very Happy Easter filled with joy, sunshine, and plenty of tail wags!

Long Term Furry Resident

Daisy

Meet Daisy! This adorable 3-year-old terrier mix is as sweet as they come! Daisy has a heart full of love and a tail that never stops wagging. She’s currently undergoing treatment for heartworm, but don’t let that fool you she’s still full of life and ready to blossom into the perfect companion. Daisy is gentle, affectionate, and loves being around people. She’s the kind of pup who will brighten your day with her happy little face and loving nature. With a little care and a lot of love, Daisy will thrive and be the loyal friend you’ve been dreaming of.

Adoption Information:

- Spayed/ Neutered: Yes

- Vaccinated: Up-to-date

- Adoption fees: Fee waved for Daisy!

Dogs $60.00, Cats $40.00

How to Meet:

Visit the Pet Center during our adoption hours, Tuesday- Saturday 9am- 4pm, to spend some time with them. Your love and care could be the missing piece in their journey to a happy, forever home.

Adopt a shelter pet and be a part of their extraordinary journey towards a brighter future!

Cats are also Available at:

Pet Supermarket

1020 S Ponce de Leon Blvd

St. Augustine, FL 32086

PetSmart

1779 U.S. 1

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Wagging Tails & Happy Endings at the K9 Warriors Adoption Event

Six of our amazing dogs had the opportunity to step out of the shelter and into the spotlight at the K9 Warriors adoption event and what a day it was! From the moment they arrived, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, friendly faces, and nonstop tail wags.

Our pups soaked up all the attention, greeting visitors with happy smiles, curious sniffs, and plenty of love. The event was packed with festive energy, making it the perfect setting for our dogs to show off their personalities and charm.The best news of all? Two of our dogs, Kimber and Walker, found their forever homes! These well-deserved adoptions were a wonderful reminder of why events like this matter so much. Seeing them head off with their new families was truly the highlight of the day.

Even for the dogs who haven’t gone home just yet, the event was a huge success. They enjoyed enrichment, socialization, and lots of positive interactions, each one gaining exposure that brings them one step closer to adoption.A heartfelt thank you to K9 Warriors, our dedicated volunteers, staff, and everyone who stopped by to support our dogs. Days like this are full of hope, happiness, and the kind of moments that make our mission so rewarding.

Here’s to more wagging tails and happy endings ahead!

Bear Den Pack 111 Takes a Paws-itively Fun Tour of the Pet Center

We were thrilled to welcome Bear Den Pack 111 to the Pet Center for a special behind-thescenes tour filled with learning, laughter, and lots of puppy love!

During their visit, the scouts learned about daily animal care and what it takes to keep our shelter pets healthy, safe, and happy. They asked great questions and showed genuine curiosity about how our staff and volunteers help animals while they wait for their forever homes. The scouts also rolled up their sleeves to make enrichment treats, discovering how simple activities can provide mental stimulation and reduce stress for shelter pets. Of course, no visit would be complete without spending time with our puppies who happily soaked up all the attention, cuddles, and playtime.

We loved seeing compassion, teamwork, and enthusiasm from Bear Den Pack 111. Thank you for visiting, learning, and sharing your kindness with our shelter pets. We hope this experience inspires a lifelong love for animals and helping others!

Love Was in the Air at Our Valentine’s Day Adoption Event

Cupid certainly made a stop at our shelter this Valentine’s Day! Our special adoption event was filled with wagging tails, happy tears, and heartwarming moments as three of our lovable pups Coco, Cruiser, and Low Ryder all found their forever homes. The day was decorated in red and pink with festive treats for both two-legged and four-legged guests. Visitors stopped by to meet our adoptable dogs, enjoyed spending time with our loveable pups and learnt more about the joy of adoption. But true magic happened when connections were made.

Coco stole hearts with her sweet personality and gentle cuddles. It didn’t take long for her new family to realize she was the perfect missing piece in their home. Cruiser lived up to his name, cruising right into the arms of his forever family. His playful energy and happy tail wags made it clear he was ready to start his next adventure. And our charming little Low Ryder proved that love comes in all shapes and sizes. His unique look and affectionate spirit won over his adopters, who couldn’t imagine celebrating Valentine’s Day without him. There’s nothing sweeter than seeing our dogs walk out the door with families who are ready to give them the love they deserve.

Events like this remind us that adoption truly is the greatest love story of all. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared our posts, and supported our mission. Because of you, three more dogs are sleeping in loving homes tonight.

Purrs & Pages: A Cozy Day at the Main Library Cat Adoption Event

Our recent Cat Adoption Event at the Main Library was a wonderful afternoon filled with curiosity, conversation, and plenty of whiskered charm! While no cats found their forever homes that day, the event was still a meaningful success in so many ways.

The library provided the perfect setting for our feline friends to meet new admirers. Visitors of all ages stopped by to learn about our adoptable cats, ask questions about their personalities, and spend time with them. From gentle chin scratches to playful wand toy sessions, the cats thoroughly enjoyed the extra attention and enrichment.

For many guests, it was their first time meeting some of our adoptable residents in person. Events like this help build awareness about the wonderful cats waiting for homes and allow the community to connect with them in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Even when adoptions don’t happen on the spot, seeds are planted and future visits to the shelter often follow.

Most importantly, our cats had a fantastic time socializing, exploring a new space, and soaking up affection. Experiences like this provide valuable stimulation and help showcase their unique personalities. We are grateful to the Main Library for hosting us and to everyone who stopped by to say hello. We look forward to our next event and to the forever homes that are sure to come!

ACO Hartley Inspires Young Animal Advocates at Cunningham Elementary Career on Wheels Day

From wagging tails to curious head tilts, each pet soaked up the attention and showed off their unique personalities. The teal jerseys, Jags necklaces, and big smiles were made for photos that were equal parts adorable and spirited. Brooke’s talent truly shines in moments like these, turning playful energy into frame-worthy memories that help our pets put their best paw forward.

A huge thank you to Brooke Stacey Photography for once again donating time and creativity to spotlight our shelter stars. These photos don’t just celebrate our local team; they help our pets get noticed and are one step closer to finding their forever homes.

Tail Wags & Sunshine at the Nocatee Farmers Market!

Between the sunshine, friendly vendors, and steady stream of animal lovers stopping by, it was the perfect setting to showcase some of our amazing adoptable pups.

The highlight of the day was sweet Maggie, who captured hearts and officially found her forever home! Watching Maggie meet her new family and head off to start her next chapter is exactly why we love attending community events like this one. There’s nothing better than seeing a happy ending unfold right before your eyes.

Meanwhile, Meech decided the best way to enjoy the market was by fully embracing relaxation mode. He stretched out in the cool grass, soaking up the atmosphere, belly rubs, and attention from passersby. Meech made it very clear that farmers markets are meant for lounging! While he’s still waiting for his forever family, he certainly enjoyed his day out making new friends.

We are so grateful to the organizers of the Nocatee Farmers Market for welcoming us and to everyone who stopped by to meet our dogs, ask questions, and show support. Community events like this help our shelter pets gain exposure and bring them one step closer to finding loving homes.

Congratulations to Maggie and her new family! We can’t wait for Meech’s big day to come!

February Was Full of Happy Tails!

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it was packed with some truly amazing adoptions! We are thrilled to share that so many of our dogs and cats found loving forever homes over the past few weeks. From playful puppies to sweet senior companions, each adoption represents a fresh start and a brighter future. Watching our shelter pets walk out the door with their new families never gets old. It’s the moment we work so hard for every single day. This month brought heartwarming meet and greets, happy tears, wagging tails, and plenty of purrs. Whether adopted at the shelter or during one of our community events, these animals are now enjoying families who love them. Be sure to check out some of the adorable adoption photos included in this newsletter! You might even spot a familiar furry face. These snapshots capture the joy of new beginnings and the power of choosing adoption. If you’ve adopted from us, we’d love to see updates, keep sharing those photos! And if you’re thinking about adding a new member to your family, now is the perfect time to visit. Help us keep the momentum going and spread the word that incredible pets are waiting for homes. Thank you to our adopters, volunteers, staff, and supporters who made February such a success. Because of you, lives are being changed every single day!