Each month, you will have the chance to have your questions answered by the animal shelter.
Q: My New Year’s resolution is to help animals. How can I do that here in Washington County?
A: There are many ways you can help the animals at our shelter and in the community.
Make a difference for the animals in our community and those who stay at the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter by donating money or sending a gift from our Amazon Wish List.
Help lost animals make it back home. Make sure your dogs and cats have collars with current tags and double check to make sure their microchip info is up to date. If there is a lost or found animal in your neighborhood, help your neighbors by letting them know that they can fill out lost or found reports, view stray animals at our shelter and find other resources on our website.
Continue to engage and train your pets at home! Use training that is based on positive reinforcement to work on changing behaviors that may bother neighbors, such as excessive barking. Provide pets with enrichment activities that engage their brain and various senses, such as playing bird sounds on your phone for your indoor cat or letting your dog smell some (pet safe) scents like sage.
Make sure your pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date and talk with your veterinarian about other recommended vaccines. Keeping your own pet healthy contributes to keeping our community (both humans and animals) healthy. If you cannot afford veterinary care, there may be resources available. Contact us for more information!
For more information on these topics and more, please visit www.WashingtonCountyPets.com. The Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter is located in downtown Hillsboro at 1901 SE 24th Ave. Email your questions to: Stacy_Beckley@co.washington.or.us