Country Companions Veterinary Services

01/15/2026

🌱 Windy Weather Reminder 🌱
Windy days can cause plants or branches to fall, potentially allowing animals to nibble on vegetation that’s unsafe. A key plant to watch for in our area is rhododendron, which is highly toxic to goats even in small amounts.
Other local plants to be mindful of include: Mountain laurel, azalea, yew (especially clippings), and wilted cherry leaves.
Quick tip: after wind storms, check fence lines and pastures, remove trimmings, and limit access to ornamental shrubs.
If you’re concerned about exposure or notice unusual behavior, contact a veterinarian promptly. A little prevention now goes a long way 🐐❄️

01/13/2026

This past weekend we celebrated the end of 2025 with a staff holiday party to reflect on such an incredible year✨
This year brought major clinic updates, meaningful growth, and lots of behind-the-scenes progress, and none of it happens without this team!
We’re endlessly proud of our staff for their dedication, adaptability, and care for our patients and clients every single day. Here’s to the people who make the work matter, and to an even stronger year ahead 🎉

01/12/2026

He’s not lazy… Max is just conserving energy for important tasks like supervising the printer and watching the parking lot. 😴✨ Max hopes your Monday is just as restful!

01/10/2026

Anybody recognize his dog? Found in Woodbridge.

01/08/2026

Cat Carriers 101: evidence-based tips for safer, lower-stress vet visits 🐾
✅ Carrier design: Vets recommend rigid, well-ventilated carriers with a removable top or large door. These designs reduce the need to force a cat out of the carrier and allow exams to occur in the base when needed, which lowers handling stress and risk of injury.

✅ Proper transport: Cats should always be transported fully enclosed in a carrier. Securing the carrier in the vehicle and partially covering it limits excessive movement and visual stimulation, both of which are associated with increased stress responses.

✅ Familiarity reduces fear: Cats experience less stress when carriers are part of their normal environment. Leaving the carrier out at home with familiar bedding allows it to become a neutral or positive space rather than a cue for an aversive event.

✅ Adjunct calming aids: Synthetic pheromones (e.g., Feliway) are supported as a non-pharmacologic stress-reduction aid. They mimic natural calming signals and may help reduce fear during transport and veterinary visits.

🐱Betty is pictured here with her Sleepypod, while Zim and Rumford are shown in a carrier designed with four-sided zipper access and a top opening. Thoughtful carrier design like this supports feline welfare, keeps handlers safe, and helps veterinary visits run more smoothly.

More Information available at the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) / FelineVMA

01/06/2026

🩺 Flu season reminder 🐾
As flu season continues, we kindly ask that clients who are feeling unwell wear a mask during their visit or consider rescheduling if possible. Taking these small precautions helps keep our staff healthy so we can continue providing safe, consistent care for your pets.
Thank you for helping us protect our team, and the animals who depend on us. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. 💙🐶🐱

01/06/2026

🐾 Meet Amanda MacAvoy, Veterinary Technician & Client Care Supervisor! 🐾
Amanda has been part of the CCVS family for 3 years. A Bethany native with a lifelong passion for animal welfare, she earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from Smith College and began her career in academia before following her true calling into veterinary medicine in 2020.
Outside of work, Amanda spends her time with her husband, their four dogs, and two cats. 🐶🐱 We’re so grateful for her leadership, compassion, and dedication to our clients and patients! 💙

01/05/2026

Why Cats Knead 🐾
Have you ever noticed your cat gently “making biscuits” on blankets, you, or soft surfaces? Kneading is a comforting behavior that starts in kittenhood and carries into adulthood. It’s linked to feeling safe, relaxed, and content, and sometimes even marking their territory with scent glands in their paws.
So if your cat is kneading, take it as a compliment, you’re part of their comfort zone. 💙😸

01/03/2026

A great rescue we work with named after an amazing veterinarian 💗

Each day in January, we will be featuring one of the HHR Lifers- sharing their stories and making you fall in love with each of them, just as our volunteers do so easily.

Meet Dallas! This hunk came to us with his twelve housemates from a hoarding situation where they were living in filth and very sick. After weeks of treatment for a variety of viruses- including stints in the hospital and round the clock care at the rescue- Dallas and his housemates ALL survived.

When fully recovered, we learned that Dallas has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- a genetic heart disease. He takes meds twice daily, sees his cardiologist at least annually, and gets his routine vet visits twice annually too. We often joke that Dallas is the wimpiest 17 lb cat you will ever meet. Even the slightest sniffle sends him to the vet- last time sending him to a weeklong stay at Central (five of those days on oxygen!)- and a bill totaling nearly $10,000.

Dallas (named for the amazing doctor who saved his life) is our resident house panther and a quick favorite among visitors. He is the silliest, goofiest boy. He's a simple man who loves nothing more than belly rubs and cheap toys. He christens every litter box the moment they're clean- often spending so much time in there that we joke he must be reading the newspaper haha. He's truly a treasure.

The HHR Lifers are the heart of our organization but their vet bills are not cheap. To contribute to their care, please click the button below or:

▪️Venmo: (last four digits - 8338)

▪️PayPal: [email protected]

▪️Zelle: (203) 985-8338

▪️Apple Pay/Google Pay/Cash App Pay via Square:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/5SXH3H1QKSF45/checkout/GNBN2LUJ7SPJRFZMLS64MKXP?src=sheet

▪️Mailing:
PO Box 712, North Haven, CT 06473

▪️Set up monthly donations by becoming a monthly subscriber/donator: https://patreon.com/HalfwayHomeRescueInc

01/01/2026

🎆 Happy New Year from Country Companions! 🎆
As we welcome 2026, we want to thank our wonderful clients and community for another incredible year of trust and support. Caring for your animals means everything to us.
We wish you a year filled with health, happiness, and plenty of special moments with your beloved pets. Cheers to new beginnings, continued care, and another great year together! 🐾✨

12/31/2025

12/30/2025

🐾 Meet Britney Bridges, CVT & Inventory Manager! 🐾
Britney has been part of the Country Companions team for 4 years. She earned her B.S. in Animal Biology with a minor in Digital Multimedia Arts from Juniata College.
At home, Britney cares for quite the crew. Her cats Mirage, Pippin, and Miki, her dog Max, two tortoises, two snakes, and a lizard! In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing Pokémon Go, and scuba diving on weekend adventures.
We’re so grateful for everything she brings to our team! 💙