KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Meet Hoppy, our WVLT Senior Pet of the Month.

Hoppy is 10-12 years old, and she has lived in 3 different homes in her life. In her second home, she was left for days on end with only a torn open bag of dog food. Her belly was dragging the ground by the time she was taken out of that environment. She was rescued and brought to a very loving and caring home for 6 years, but now, through no fault of her own, she is here with us. She is a sweet, happy, hoppy lady (she hops when she’s excited, that’s where her name came from) looking for her forever home.

Read more: https://www.wvlt.tv/2021/11/01/senior-pet-month-hoppy/

Knoxville has had plenty of summer heat with most of July hovering around 90 degrees each day. And while people can easily cool off with a nice pool or lake day, dogs aren’t always as fortunate

Click here to read more: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2019/07/12/hot-dogs-tennessee-experts-offer-tips-keep-pets-cool-summer-heat/1683607001/

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley is taking part in a one-day international spay/neuter event next week.

On February 26, HSTV’s spay/neuter clinic is offering spay/neuter surgeries with a rabies vaccination for $26.

HSTV says World Spay Day promotes spays and neuters around the country to help eliminate homeless pet overpopulation.

Space is limited and registration is required online or by calling (865) 579-6738.

https://www.wate.com/news/as-seen-on-wate/humane-society-of-tennessee-valley-celebrates-world-spay-day/1794216430

Dozens of pets received free veterinary care Tuesday through Remote Area Medical.

RAM usually offers free medical, dental and vision services for patients, but they also help their furry friends.

Tuesday morning they were lined up, barking and wagging, waiting to be checked in.

“This is Max. He’s our first family dog. We have a 10-year-old and a 6-year-old, and they wanted a dog so we got one finally,” said Tiffany Teaster who drove to Chilhowee Park in Knoxville from Sevierville for the pet clinic.

The free vet care came courtesy of RAM, Young-Williams Animal Center and the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley.

“Their pets are part of their family, and for those family members it’s difficult when you can’t afford dental, vision or medical care for the human members of your family to be able to do that, to be able to provide spay/neuter, vaccines and microchips,” said Amanda Weber, RAM Community Veterinary Specialist.

They signed up all of the pets a couple weeks ago at the RAM medical clinic when people showed up for that, and they signed up more than 100 pets to receive veterinary services all the way through March.

“Mama Cat was a stray and she’s had two litters of kittens in my garage and I can’t get rid of them so I figure getting them fixed it may be easier to get rid of them,” Teaster said.

It is a big help for a lot of people.

“I got her fixed through Pets Without Parents in Sevierville and it was $35, but if you add $35 times five more it’s just very unaffordable for someone,” Teaster said.

It is also a good way to keep all the furry friends healthy.

“Not only does spay/neuter help reduce overpopulation, it also helps prevent reproductive cancers,” Weber said. “Rabies vaccines are required. It’s also important to protect the animal, and the distemper vaccine and bordetella help to prevent diseases that can be fatal for animals.”

RAM has been offering veterinary services for more than 30 years and has served more than 67 thousand animals in that time.

You must have already been pre-registered to take part in the free veterinary care.

https://www.wate.com/news/local-news/ram-provides-free-veterinary-care-for-dozens-of-pets/971737751

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – When the temperatures drop, the cold weather can have an impact on your pets. The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley said it’s a good idea to keep your pets inside as much as possible when it’s bitterly cold.

When you take your pets on walks, pay attention to the salt distributed on the roads and sidewalks.

“If you do go on walks, make sure the ground is not covered in salt. If it is covered in salt, when you come back inside, you want to make sure you wipe off the paws of your dog’s feet because they can lick that and that can be dangerous for them,” Gwen Schablik, with the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, said. “There’s also just the cold weather in general. Their feet can get frozen. If you can, put little booties on their paws. That can help protect their feet from touching the ground.”

Schablik also said if you have to leave your pets outdoors, make sure they have a warm shelter to go to.

“If you do have outside animals, provide them a shelter, provide them with hay or mulch or something to keep a nice warm space in their shelter, and then obviously provide them with water that isn’t frozen,” Schablik said.

Some breeds, like huskies, love the cold. The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley said you should allow them to enjoy the cold weather, but do not leave them out in it for too long.

“Definitely let them be out in their normal environment right now and enjoy that cold weather, but not too long,” Schablik said.

Keeping your pets safe with bitter cold temperatures