Paws Up Safe Home

07/30/2026

03/14/2026

This month is all about Pet Poison Prevention. No pet parent wants to have to wonder what they should do if their pet ingests something potentially toxic. Thankfully there are great resources out there! Both Pet Poison Helpline and ASPCA Poison Control have trained veterinarians in toxicology that can help guide you to the next steps. Not all accidental ingestions means a trip to the ER and if you are not sure what to do you can reach out to the poison help lines to determine next steps. Here at Sentinel, we can use the information they provide you to help determine the best treatment options to help your pet. It's a team effort to ensure the best outcome possible! Visit the Pet Poison Helpline social media platforms this month to see other helpful tips!

03/12/2026

Its National Pet Vaccination Month! 🐾 Join us at the Missoula Fairgrounds on Wednesday, March 18th for a free, walk-in pet vaccine clinic. We will be providing rabies vaccines, annual vaccines and microchips for dogs and cats from 11:00am-2:00pm. All annual vaccines have been generously donated by Petco Love.

Can't make this clinic? We will also be offering free vaccines on March 27th as part of Project Community Connect at the library - more details to come! 💙

01/24/2026

Dangerous cold and wind chills are expected through the weekend. Limit time outside and check on neighbors, older adults, and pets. Dress in layers, cover all exposed skin, and if you don’t have reliable heat, go to a warming center or a friend’s warm home. On the road, slow down, pack an emergency kit, and avoid travel if conditions are bad.

01/14/2026

You Didn't "Cool Him Down." You Took Away His A/C.

It’s 90 degrees out. You look at your fluffy Husky (or Golden/Shepherd) and think: "He must be roasting in that coat! I should shave him."

Please, put the clippers down.

You are applying "Human Logic" to "Dog Biology." And it could hurt him.

🔥 1. The Thermos Effect: A double coat works like a high-quality Thermos. In winter, it holds heat in. But in summer? It keeps the heat OUT. The long "Guard Hairs" reflect the sun and trap a layer of air that blocks the heat. The Thermal Proof: If you look at a shaved dog with a thermal camera, the shaved skin glows red hot. The hairy parts stay cool. By shaving him, you exposed his skin directly to the sun.

☀️ 2. The Sunburn Risk: Your dog has pink, pale skin under that fur. He has zero protection against UV rays. Shaving him is like sending a pale human to the beach without sunscreen. He will get sunburned, and it drastically increases the risk of Skin Cancer.

🧶 3. The Coat Never Recovers: It’s called "Post-Clipping Alopecia." The fuzzy undercoat grows back fast, but the waterproof top layer takes years. The coat comes back patchy, frizzy, and absorbs more heat and dirt than before.

The Solution: Don't Shave. Deshed. Take him to a groomer for a "blow out." Remove the dead undercoat so air can flow through the guard hairs.

Keep the shield. Lose the fluff. 🐺❄️