Hope Animal Clinic

03/21/2025

Fun Fact Friday: Why Do Cats Meow? 🐱🗣️

Did you know? Adult cats rarely meow at each other—they mainly use body language, scent, and other vocalizations to communicate! But in some situations, they do meow at fellow felines:

🐾 Mating Season: Cats yowl to attract mates.
🐾 New Introductions: Meowing helps unfamiliar cats communicate.
🐾 Territorial Boundaries: Cats may meow to establish their space.

How Cats Communicate Beyond Meowing:
Cats also chirp, use tail movements, facial expressions, and even hiss or growl to express themselves.

Why Do They Meow at Us?
Unlike with other cats, meowing is how felines talk to humans! They use it to say hello, ask for food, demand attention, or let us know something’s wrong. Some cats are more talkative than others—does your cat love to chat? 😸💬

03/20/2025

First day of Spring!

03/18/2025

Tuesday Tip: Protect Your Dog from Toad Toxicity!

Toxic Toads Your dog just licked—or worse—swallowed a toad! Now what? Toad Toxin First-Aid It depends. No matter what kind of toad, don't be afraid to...

03/17/2025

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Chelsea 🌟

Meet Chelsea, our incredible Surgery Coordinator, who has been a part of the Hope family for over 8 years! 💙

What she loves about Hope: Working with animals, learning new things, and being part of a team that provides compassionate care.

When she's not at Hope: You’ll find Chelsea exercising, cooking with her husband, watching TV & movies, or working on puzzles.

🐶🐱 Her furry family: Two dogs, Jasmine & Pippin, and a cat, Winifred!

Give Chelsea a shoutout for all the amazing work she does!

03/17/2025

Don't forget to wear your green today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! 🍀

03/14/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Yes! Here’s a fun Pi Day + Dog fact for you:

🐶 Dogs naturally understand circles! When dogs turn in circles before lying down, it's an instinct passed down from their wild ancestors. They did this to flatten grass and spot potential threats—unknowingly practicing some real-life geometry!

So, next time your pup spins before settling in, just tell them, "Happy Pi Day! You're a natural mathematician!" 🥧😂🐾

03/14/2025

🐶🥧 Happy Pi Day, pet lovers! 🎉🐾

Today, we celebrate the most pawsome and irrationally fun number—3.141592653… (yeah, it goes on forever, kinda like my dog begging for snacks! 🐕😂).

It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy some pi(e) while your pets circle around you, hoping for a bite! 🥧🍕 Whether it’s apple pie for you or a special pup-friendly treat for your furry best friend, everyone deserves a slice of the fun!

03/11/2025

🐾 Tuesday Tip: Understanding Cancer in Dogs 🎗️

Cancer is one of the most common health concerns in dogs, especially as they age. Early detection and proper care can make a big difference! Here are key points from the AKC on cancer in dogs:

Over their lifetime, cancer affects one in three dogs. Understand this high risk and life threatening disease so you know the signs and treatments.

03/10/2025

✨ Employee Spotlight: Destinee! ✨

Meet Destinee, one of our awesome Vet Assistants here at Hope! She’s been part of the team for 5 years, bringing care, compassion, and a little bit of fun to the clinic every day! 🐾

Her favorite thing about Hope? The animals, of course! 😊 Oh, and let’s not forget the legendary dance breaks in treatment! 💃🐶

When she’s not at Hope, you can find her traveling, hitting the gym, hiking, hanging out with friends, or snuggled up with her pup. Speaking of pups, she has a sweet Brindle Mountain Cur named Cali! 🐕❤️

Let’s also wish Destinee a belated Happy Birthday which was on March 6! 👏💙

03/09/2025

🌞⏰ Don’t Forget! Daylight Saving Time Begins! ⏰🌞

It’s that time again! Set your clocks forward one hour before bed tonight so you don’t wake up an hour late on Sunday! 🕑➡️🕒

Longer days and more sunshine are ahead—who else is ready for extra daylight? ☀️😺

🐾 Pet Parents Reminder! 🐾
Your furry friends don’t understand time changes, but they’ll definitely notice if breakfast or dinner is “late!” Try gradually adjusting their feeding schedule by a few minutes each day to help them transition smoothly. 🐶🐱

03/07/2025

Fun Fact Friday! 🐱✨

Did you know a cat’s pupils can expand up to 135 times their constricted size? 👀

This incredible ability helps them see in low light far better than humans! Their vertical slit-shaped pupils adjust rapidly to brightness, allowing them to be expert hunters day and night.

Plus, their pupils can reveal their mood—wide pupils may mean excitement, while narrow slits suggest relaxation. 😺🌙☀️

03/06/2025

03/06/2025

🐶📢 Calling All Dog Lovers! 🐾

Ever feel like your dog is training you instead of the other way around? Join us for People Training for Dogs on Monday, March 18th at 7 PM and learn how to be the pack leader your pup needs! 🦴🐕

For more details, visit 👉

Before your first class with your dog, we have a “people only” orientation. This class helps you understand how dogs think and learn, and why they do what they do. It gives you a head start in understanding dog behavior, dog psychology, dog body language, and how to truly become your dog’s Pac...

03/05/2025

📢 Welcome Dr. Scott Upton to the Hope Animal Clinic Family! 🐾

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Scott Upton, the newest veterinarian to join our team at Hope Animal Clinic! 🎉

Dr. Upton’s journey in veterinary medicine began at Auburn University, where he studied microbiology and finance before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. He started his career in Las Vegas, working in a hospital that specialized in both General Practice and Emergency care, gaining invaluable experience along the way. Now, he’s bringing his expertise and passion for veterinary care back home to Alabama, where he’s committed to providing top-notch medical treatment to his patients.

When he’s not at the clinic, Dr. Upton enjoys staying active—whether it’s running, fishing, or mountain biking. He’s also a big sports fan and loves keeping up with his favorite teams!

Please join us in giving Dr. Upton a warm welcome! If you see him around the clinic, be sure to say hello. We’re excited to have him on board and know he will be a fantastic addition to our Hope family!

03/04/2025

Tuesday Tip: White Noise Machines for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

White noise machines emit a constant, ambient sound meant to soothe anxious dogs. They're best used in combination with other training methods.

03/03/2025

🐾 Employee Spotlight: Haleigh! 🐾

Say hello to Haleigh, one of our incredible Vet Assistants who has been part of the Hope family for 3 ½ years!

What she loves about Hope: The animals, of course! Seeing all the different pets and experiencing the unconditional love and joy they bring makes every day special.

Outside of work, you can find Haleigh:
- Walking with her dogs
- Catching up on some well-earned sleep
- Pet sitting for others
- Hanging out with friends

Her own personal zoo includes:
- Roxy, Charlie Brown, Lily & Remy – Her beloved Pit Bulls
- Milo, Prince, Phoebe, Hazel & Trixie – A fabulous feline crew
- Tom & Blue – Her cool Leopard Geckos

We’re so lucky to have Haleigh as part of our team!

03/01/2025

HAPPY WORLD COMPLIMENT DAY!

Here are five fun facts about giving and receiving compliments for National Compliment Day:

Compliments Boost Happiness – Giving a compliment doesn’t just make the other person feel good—it also increases your own happiness by triggering feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin!

Sincere Compliments Strengthen Relationships – Whether it’s a friend, coworker, or stranger, a genuine compliment helps build connections and improve relationships.

Your Brain Loves Compliments – Studies show that receiving a compliment activates the same part of the brain as receiving a cash reward—so a kind word is like a little paycheck for the soul!

Compliments Can Improve Performance – Research suggests that people who receive praise for their efforts tend to perform better and feel more motivated, whether at work, in school, or even during sports.

A Compliment Can Make Someone’s Day – You never know what someone is going through, and a simple compliment might be the bright spot they needed to turn their whole day around!

02/28/2025

🐾 Fun Fact Friday! 🐾

Ever seen a dog lower their front end while keeping their rear up in the air? That’s called a play bow, and it’s their way of saying, “Let’s play!”

What it means: It’s a friendly signal that any following actions, even if they look rough, are all in good fun!

Body language: Chest and front paws low, back end up, often paired with a wagging tail and happy expression.

When dogs use it: Before play starts, to restart after a pause, or to make sure their intentions are clear.

Next time you see a play bow, you’ll know—it’s game time!