Summerville Veterinary Clinic Announces New Saturday Walk-In Schedule

The Summerville Veterinary Clinic will begin a new Saturday schedule in October.

Starting in October, the clinic will offer walk-in service only on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Numbers will be handed out beginning at 8 AM, with patients seen on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 AM until noon. Dr. Hopkins will begin seeing clients at 9 AM.

During the week, Dr. Hopkins sees appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 AM until 5 PM.

Anyone who would like to schedule a weekday appointment can call the Summerville Veterinary Clinic at 706-857-2918.

Low-Cost Spay And Neuter Transport Available For Chattooga County Pets

Animal Advocates of Chattooga County, in partnership with My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Services, is offering another opportunity for local residents to have dogs and cats spayed or neutered at a reduced cost.

The next transport to Rome is scheduled for Monday, September 28. Pets will be dropped off and picked up at the Elder’s Ace Hardware Shopping Center, next to Red Lobster, at 610 Shorter Avenue NW in Rome.

Drop-off will be between 7 and 7:15 AM, with owners notified by text when the transport is returning to Rome for pickup.

Appointments are limited. As of the announcement, openings were available for 10 male cats, nine female cats and three male dogs.

Residents must contact My Kids Have Paws directly at 706-671-1104, option 4, to schedule an appointment. Animal Advocates of Chattooga County cannot schedule appointments.

A $41 deposit is required when scheduling and is applied toward the appointment. The announcement says $20 of that deposit can be reimbursed to Chattooga County residents.

Financial assistance is available for qualifying Chattooga County residents and covers a portion of the spay or neuter procedure and rabies vaccine. Proof of residency is required, and assistance is limited to 10 pets per household.

Pet Owners Urged to Protect Animals From Dangerous Summer Heat

With oppressive heat continuing across Northwest Georgia, the National Weather Service in Atlanta is reminding pet owners that high temperatures can pose a serious danger to dogs, cats and other animals.

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Transportation Available for Chattooga County Pets Needing Spay and Neuter Services

Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is helping spread the word about an upcoming transportation opportunity for Chattooga County pet owners seeking affordable spay and neuter services through My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Services.

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Financial Assistance For Pet Spay And Neuter Surgeries

Pet owners in Chattooga County have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for spay and neuter surgeries through a partnership between Animal Advocates of Chattooga County and My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic.

The program helps cover a portion of the cost of spay or neuter surgery and a rabies vaccination for dogs and cats owned by Chattooga County residents. Surgeries will be performed at My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic, located at 169 Waterfront Way in Dalton.

Pet owners must contact the veterinary clinic directly to schedule an appointment. Animal Advocates of Chattooga County is not able to schedule appointments.

A $40 deposit per pet is required when scheduling. Twenty dollars of that deposit will be refunded when the owner arrives for the appointment. Owners are responsible for any additional veterinary services their pet may need.

The program is limited to 10 pets per household and is available while funding lasts. If a pet is pregnant, owners are asked to notify the clinic when scheduling.

To schedule an appointment, call My Kids Have Paws Veterinary Clinic at 706-671-1104, option 4.

Walker County Explains New Spay And Neuter Law And Exemptions

Walker County officials are clarifying the county’s new spay and neuter ordinance and explaining which pet owners may qualify for exemptions.

The ordinance requires most dogs and cats six months of age or older to be spayed or neutered unless the animal qualifies for an exemption or the owner purchases an annual unaltered animal license. County leaders say the goal is to reduce pet overpopulation and ease pressure on the Walker County Animal Shelter.

Exemptions include animals owned by licensed commercial breeders or pet dealers, animals with a veterinarian-certified medical exemption, and working animals used for farming, herding, hunting, service work, law enforcement, or show purposes. Owners must have proper documentation.

Pet owners who do not qualify for an exemption may purchase an annual license through the Walker County Animal Shelter. The fee is $100 per year for dogs and $50 per year for cats, with proceeds going toward the county’s spay and neuter voucher program.

County officials say the ordinance will be reviewed later this year to evaluate how well it is working.

Protect Pets and Livestock During This Week’s Extreme Heat

With dangerous heat and heat index values climbing above 100 degrees across Northwest Georgia, veterinarians and agricultural experts are urging pet owners and livestock producers to take extra precautions to protect animals from heat-related illness.

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FDA Authorizes Emergency Treatment for Flesh-Eating Screwworm in Pets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for nitenpyram, a medication used to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and cats. The action marks the first approval of a generic animal drug specifically authorized for use against the flesh-eating parasite.

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Cold Weather Safety for Pets: Prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite During Arctic Conditions

Cold weather can be dangerous for pets, with real risks of hypothermia and frostbite—especially for short-haired, small, elderly, or sick animals. The safest plan is simple: keep pets indoors as much as possible, limit time outside, and take a few extra precautions when they do go out.

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