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St. Johns County Pet Center

October 2024 Newsletter

Longtime Furry Resident

Tulip

Meet Tulip, a sweet and affectionate long-time resident at the Pet Center since May. Tulip has been waiting patiently for her forever home, and now is the perfect time to make her a part of your family. This gentle girl has so much love to give and would thrive in a home where she can shower her new family with affection. Best of all, adoption fees for Tulip will be waived, so there’s no better time to stop by and meet her in person. Come visit the Pet Center today and give Tulip the loving home she deserves!

Adoption Information:

- Spayed/ Neutered: Yes

- Vaccinated: Up-to-date

- Adoption fees: Male Dog $45.00, Female Dog $60.00, Male Cat $30.00, Female Cat $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

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time, but it also poses some risks for pets. Here are some safety tips to help keep your pets safe during Halloween:

1. Keep Candy Away: Many Halloween treats, especially chocolate and candy with xylitol, are toxic to pets. Store candy out of reach and ensure wrappers are properly disposed of to avoid accidental ingestion.

2. Secure Costumes: If you choose to dress up your pet, make sure the costume is comfortable and doesn't restrict movement, breathing, or vision. Avoid costumes with small parts that could be a choking hazard.

3. Monitor Decorations: Keep an eye on your pets around Halloween decorations. Candles, especially in jack-o'-lanterns, can pose a fire hazard, and strings or fake cobwebs can cause choking or digestive issues if ingested.

4. Prevent Escape: With the door opening frequently for trick-or-treaters, ensure your pet doesn't slip out. Consider keeping them in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat hours to prevent accidental escape.

5. Maintain Calm: Some pets may get anxious with the constant ringing of the doorbell or the presence of strangers in costumes. Create a quiet, safe space for them with their favorite toys, bed, and some soothing music.

6. ID and Microchip: Make sure your pet's identification tags are up to date and that they're microchipped. In case they do escape, this will increase the chances of a safe return. Microchipping at the SJC Pet Center is only $10.00. Call today to make an appointment. 904-209-6190 opt.2.

7. Avoid Toxic Plants: Keep decorations like pumpkins and corn out of reach. While not highly toxic, they can cause stomach upset if your pet decides to nibble on them.

8. Supervise Outdoor Time: If you take your pet outside, keep them on a leash and supervise them closely. Pets may become frightened by the unusual sights and sounds, potentially leading to dangerous situations like running away or encountering hazardous objects.

Following these tips can help ensure that both you and your pets have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Field Services

Animal control officers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of both animals and people in our community. Their responsibilities extend beyond simply handling stray or abandoned animals; they also enforce laws that protect animals from cruelty and neglect, ensuring that pets and wildlife are treated humanely. By responding to reports of abuse or dangerous situations involving animals, they help protect vulnerable animals from harm and provide them with the care and support they need.

In addition to rescuing animals in distress, animal control officers work to prevent the spread of diseases, such as rabies, by enforcing vaccination laws and promoting responsible pet ownership. Their efforts help reduce the population of stray animals, making neighborhoods safer and more peaceful for residents. By educating the public on proper animal care and the importance of spaying and neutering pets, they also help control the number of homeless animals in shelters.

Through their dedication and compassion, these officers contribute significantly to the health and safety of both animals and humans in our communities.

K9 for Warriors Training Event

K9s for Warriors recently spent time at the Pet Center working with our dedicated volunteers to provide valuable training on handling and caring for dogs. Their experienced trainers shared techniques for managing various behaviors and ensuring the dogs' well-being during interactions. The sessions covered everything from basic commands to handling anxious dogs, equipping our volunteers with the skills to confidently support the animals in their care. This collaboration was an enriching experience, strengthening our volunteers' ability to contribute to the welfare of the dogs at the Pet Center.

Employee Spotlight

Alexis Cooper

Meet Alexis Cooper, one of our dedicated Animal Care Technicians who joined the Pet Center team in October 2023. Alexis has a deep passion for making every animal feel safe and at home while they await their forever families. Her commitment to ensuring the animals’ well-being shines through every day. Outside of work, Alexis loves spending her free time going on long walks with her dogs, enjoying sunny days at the beach, and going mudding with friends for some off-road fun. We are so grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she has on the animals and the team!

River City Live

One of our beloved furry residents, Riley Girl, was recently featured on Channel 4's *River City Live* to help promote her adoption. Riley Girl is an 8-year-old Labrador Retriever Mix who was found as a stray. Angela from the St. Augustine Humane Society transported Riley to the studio and Lynn assisted with the broadcast, ensuring she was comfortable and ready for her close-up. Riley charmed the audience with her sweet personality, while Lynn shared her story and highlighted her need for a loving forever home. The broadcast provided great exposure, and Riley was adopted to the perfect family the following day!

Island Prep Preschool Event

The Deputy Director of Animal Control, Paul Studivant and Fire Rescue recently visited the local Island Prep Preschool with their emotional support dog, Willow, to educate the children about pet safety. Willow, a gentle and friendly dog, was a big hit among the preschoolers, who were eager to pet and cuddle her. The kids learned important lessons about how to approach and care for pets while enjoying their time with Willow. The visit not only provided valuable information but also left the children smiling and happy, as they spent the day showering Willow with love and attention.

PetSmart Adoption Event

Our recent adoption event at Petco had a great turnout and incredible success with three of our shelter pets, Max, Buttercup and Galaxy finding their forever homes. It was a day filled with excitement and hope as potential adopters met with our furry friends. Volunteers Anne, Kristina, Beth, and Laurie were instrumental in making the event run smoothly, helping with everything from transporting, setting up booths to engaging with the crowd and answering questions. Their dedication and passion for animal rescue shone throughout the day, and their hard work helped connect these pets with loving families. We are grateful for their support and thrilled with the event’s outcome!

Happy Tails

Happy to share a few pictures of our wonderful adoptions. Astro, Otis, Monk, Maize, Onyx, and Clover—our beloved furry residents—have all finally found their forever homes! Astro, a sweet soul who waited patiently, Otis, the loveable attention-seeker, Monk, with his calm and gentle demeanor, Maize, full of boundless energy, Onyx, the sleek and shy beauty, and Clover, the bundle of joy, have each gone to families that will cherish them for years to come. Their journeys have been full of ups and downs, but now, they get to live out their days in love-filled homes, bringing happiness to those who adopted them. We couldn't be more thrilled!