We all love adorable pet photos. The Animal Protective Foundation’s fourth annual pet calendar photo contest is happening now, with many wonderful entries of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles and more already submitted. The winning photo will be on the cover of the 2026 Animal Protective Foundation Pet Calendar, with 12 additional category leaders gracing the 12 months, plus a collage featuring all entries.

Warmer weather certainly has us thinking about spending more time outdoors with our pets. However, it’s important to remember that as we become more active outside, so do ticks. When temperatures rise above freezing, tick activity significantly increases.

Having a family pet can bring great joy for children and create wonderful childhood memories. Even better are the developmental benefits for children that come with caring for a pet. Owning a pet, fostering a pet and volunteering for your local animal shelter or rescue are all excellent opportunities to teach our youth.

As the largest public spay/neuter clinic in the Capital Region, we are proud of our efforts to help pet owners responsibly sterilize their pets to lower the overpopulation trends we’re seeing. However, if you look at the area’s shelter and rescue websites, it can be disheartening to see so many animals waiting longer to find their forever homes.

By the age of 3, most pets will experience early evidence of periodontal disease. Without detection and treatment, periodontal disease in pets will worsen and can cause significant health issues ranging from oral infection, pain and tooth loss to kidney, liver and heart disease.

The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) proudly stands as the region’s largest public spay/neuter provider, thanks to our Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, which performed nearly 4,000 spay/neuter surgeries in 2024. But what impact does spay/neuter really have on pet overpopulation?

As devastating wildfires rage through the Los Angeles region, the heartbreaking stories of suffering among both people and their pets serve as a stark reminder of nature’s destructive power. Having spent 15 years in California before moving to the Capital Region, I gained valuable insights about how animal welfare organizations operate during disasters and the importance of preparedness for pet owners that I’d like to share. In our region we are not immune to natural disasters including wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and more so emergency preparedness is crucial to protect your pets.

Autumn is my favorite season, and a great time to enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and outdoor spaces in the Capital Region. For the safety of your dog, it is important to remember one of the most important tools for responsible dog ownership: the leash. The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) strongly advocates for leash use to ensure the safety of both pets and people.

Owning a pet is a rewarding and special part of our lives. Studies show that pet owners are often happier and live longer than those without pets. For all that our loyal companions do for us, we should repay them by taking care of their health and wellness needs. Routine vaccination is a safe and effective way to keep them healthy and protect against serious, preventable diseases.