These pets will give you a reason to smile | Pets for adoption, Feb. 22-23

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Dental health is essential to your pet’s overall well-being, and dental problems can cause and be caused by other health issues, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). They recommend having your pet’s teeth and gums checked by a veterinarian at least annually to identify early signs of problems and keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Some signs that your pet may need a dental checkup sooner include bad breath, broken or discolored teeth, abnormal chewing or drooling, reduced appetite, pain around the mouth, and irritability. Pets with dental problems may bite, so owners should be careful when evaluating their pet’s mouth.

The most common dental issue in dogs and cats is periodontal disease, which affects the structures supporting the teeth. By age 3, most pets have some early evidence of periodontal disease that will worsen without preventive measures. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to severe pain and is associated with other health problems like kidney, liver, and heart disease.

Meet Phish…

At home, regular tooth brushing is the most effective way to maintain your pet’s oral health between professional cleanings. Daily brushing is ideal, but even a few times per week can help. Many products claim to improve pet dental health, but not all are effective, so ask your vet for recommendations. Here are a few ideas.

For cats and dogs: Ventoquinol

Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Poultry Flavor Dog & Cat Toothpaste

For Cats: Sentry Petrodex

Sentry Petrodex Veterinary Strength Enzymatic Malt Flavor Cat Dental Kit

For Dogs: Arm & Hammer Clinical Gum Health

Arm & Hammer Products Clinical Gum Health Chicken Flavored Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Adoption Events

If you want to adopt, please remember that there are loving senior and disabled pets who need your care and attention, too. If you cannot adopt, please consider fostering or sharing the information with someone who could use some good company.

Feb. 22

• Louie’s Legacy will be at PetSmart (Woodbridge, NJ) – 863 St. George Avenue. 101, Woodbridge, NJ 07095., from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m

Feb. 23

• Louie’s Legacy will be at PetSmart, 1525 Forest Ave., from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m
• Louie’s Legacy will be at PetSmart (East Brunswick, NJ) – 300 NJ-18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816., from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m
• Staten Island Animal Hope Rescue will be at Petco, 165 Bricktown Way, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Animal Care Centers of New York City is open for adoptions of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits at 3139 Veterans Road West on Monday and Tuesday (12 pm – 4 pm) and Wednesday – Sunday (11 am – 5 pm).

For general information on adopting from ACC and other community-based programs through ACC, go to www.nycacc.org

You can also come into ACC to register and purchase a NYC license for your dog each day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Meet Taffy…

Ongoing

1. Low-cost or free spay and neuter: The ASPCA’s free and low-cost mobile spay and neuter van travels to every neighborhood in the five boroughs.

Low-income pet owners in the five boroughs with proof of public assistance, such as welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability, food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or public housing qualify for free spay/neuter services for their cat or dog. If you have a pit bull, pit-bull mix, or certain large breed dogs, it’s also free.

For the exact times the van will be in your area and pre-visit instructions, visit aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter or call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692).

2. Apply for a dog license. Save time and postage by applying online. For an application or more information, visit nyc.gov/doglicense. View the flyer in the gallery above.

Gifts for animal lovers

Julie Forlenza, a former teacher at I.S. 7 and PS 62, and manager at Woof and Tails Lodge , took action after Hurricane Ian to help animals in shelters. She is the owner of Black Dog Portrait. Her passion for helping animals is exceptional. Check her out on Facebook or Instagram.

Stellar Villa is a New York City-based artist who recently raised over $11,500 for pet shelters after she single-handedly created 1,252 custom pieces of art of people’s pets over 21 days. Now, she is working to create ongoing partnerships with local animal shelters to continue raising money. If you’re looking for a gift for a dog lover, check out Stellar’s work.

Sophia Di Meglio wrote and illustrated A Big Life for Buddy, a children’s book that offers a lighthearted look at an exceptional dog and teaches children about growing older, belonging, and the fact that loss is a natural part of life.

Meet Tears for Fears…

Hiking trails

Dog-friendly parks

· Allison Park, off-leash area in the field at the end of the trail bordered by Prospect Avenue, Sailors Snug Harbor Cemetery and the pond

· Amundsen Trail, off-leash area between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

· Arthur Von Briesen Park, off-leash area, lawn area, mid-park on the right side

· Bloomingdale Park, dog run, Maguire Avenue behind athletic fields closer to Ramona Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area in the open field above picnic area near Royal Oak Road and Rice Avenue

· Clove Lakes Park, off-leash area, Brookside Avenue between Alpine Court and Kingsley Avenue (lawn area)

· Clove’s Tail Park, off-leash area in lawn area, corner of Victory Boulevard and Little Clove Road

· Conference House Park, dog run, Clermont Avenue and Massachusetts Street

· Cozzens Woods Park, off-leash area, Page Avenue between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road

· Crescent Beach Park, off-leash area, Tennyson Drive, and Glover Avenue; located in the meadow area leading to the beach

· Evergreen Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue and Evergreen Street

· Father Macris Park, off-leash area, lawn beyond ball field

· Ida Court Playground, dog run, Ida Court between North Railroad Street and Drumgoole Road East

· Lemon Creek Park, off-leash area, the bottom of Seguine Avenue at Johnston Terrace; just below the playground

· Siedenburg Park, off-leash area, Greaves Avenue, and Evergreen Street

· Silver Lake Park, dog run, Victory Boulevard below the pavilion, across from the Parkview Apartments

· South Beach Park, off-leash area. Note: On sand only after Labor Day and before Memorial Day

· Willowbrook Park, off-leash area, Archery Range Field

· Wolfe’s Pond Park, dog run, to the left of Cornelia Avenue

For more information, rules and regulations, visit nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas.

Dogs cannot enter any bathing facilities, including those at New York City beaches. However, from Oct. 1 through May 1, leashed dogs are allowed on the sand and boardwalk at Midland Beach and South Beach.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/promenade at Midland Beach and South Beach.

Pet poison helplines

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or petpoisonhelpline.com, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or aspca.org.

As the seasons change, keep in mind the plants that are poisonous to animals: https://www.rover.com/blog/poisonous-plants/

To report animal cruelty

To report an incident of animal abuse, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.