Animal Shelter Society Warns of the Dangers of Fleas, Ticks

ZANESVILLE, OH – The Animal Shelter Society is shedding light on the importance of spaying and neutering your pets.

They just hosted a Catapalooza spay and neuter clinic on Wednesday, where they performed procedures on over 50 cats.

Rebecca Hunt, the Animal Care Manager at the Animal Shelter, said just because it’s getting darker sooner it doesn’t mean there aren’t pregnant cats out and about.

She said it’s best to wait to spay or neuter your cat until they’re around 4 to 6 months old and weigh around 4lbs.

“They can be sexually active between 4 and 6 months old,” Hunt said. “Most people think it’s 6 months, it’s not, so you want to get them before that 4 or 5 month mark hits, if not you’re probably going to have, have some babies in your house.”

Hunt also says that fleas and ticks are still very active. She said if your pet does have fleas, then you will need to consistently treat them for about 3 months to make sure all the fleas are gone. Hunt said if they are left untreated, it can cause allergic reactions in some animals.

“Some animals are allergic to the fleas and will break out in a skin infection,” Hunt said. “And then they need antibiotics, steroids, things like that. So definitely keep flea and tick prevention on your pets, they will be around all winter.”

Hunt said if you have an enclosure or box outside for your animals to make sure you use hay. She said if you are in need of hay, you can reach out and stop by the Animal Shelter to pick some up.