Posting Is Easy

All you have to do is copy and paste the below content on your social media channels. If you have any questions regarding the content or how to post, please do not hesitate to contact Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Chief Operating Officer, Leah Ann Tibbitts at ltibbitts@tvma.org or 512-452-4224. Your feedback is important to us, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

September

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, making it a great time to remind your clients about the importance of planning for emergencies—including the safety of their pets. We’ve gathered articles that offer practical tips for incorporating both pets and livestock into family disaster plans. This month also highlights several important topics you may want to share with your clients:

  • Animal Pain Awareness Month – recognizing signs of pain in pets and discussing treatment options.
  • Responsible Dog Ownership Month – resources on training, exercise, and lifelong care.
  • Happy Cat Month – celebrating feline health and well-being with tips on enrichment, preventive care, and keeping cats happy at every life stage.
  • National Pet Memorial Day (September 13) – honoring the special bond between people and their pets.
  • World Rabies Day (September 28) – promoting awareness of vaccination and prevention.

Important updates and educational resources on New World Screwworm are included to help pet owners stay informed and take steps to protect their animals.

Natural Disaster Preparation 

September marks National Disaster Preparedness Month––a time to raise awareness of how families can prepare their pets for disasters and all types of emergencies. Developing a pet disaster kit and evacuation plan in advance ensures you’re prepared when disaster strikes or emergency situations arise. 

https://www.tvmf.org/for-texas-veterinarians/disaster-relief/

Disaster Preparedness for Livestock

While the thought of natural disasters can be overwhelming, it’s crucial to plan ahead and consider the safety of your horses and livestock. We encourage you to have up-to-date medical records and to develop an emergency kit. 

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/natural-disaster-preparedness-for-horses-and-other-livestock/

Animal Pain Awareness Month 

Unlike humans, pets cannot tell us they are in pain. They can only show signs and rely on our ability to identify them. In observance of Animal Pain Awareness Month, we encourage you to learn the common signs of pain in dogs and cats. Left untreated, pain can lead to a host of problems. 

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/chronic-pain-management/

Responsible Dog Ownership Month 

September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month! Choosing the right food for your pet is a key part of being a responsible dog owner. This article offers valuable tips on selecting the best nutrition for your furry friend. Make informed choices to keep your pet happy and healthy! 

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/considerations-when-choosing-food-for-your-pet/

September is Happy Cat Month!

A happy cat is a healthy, engaged cat—and a little enrichment can go a long way. From interactive play and scratching surfaces to cozy hiding spots and opportunities to climb and explore, creating an enriching environment helps support your cat’s physical and mental well-being at every life stage. And don’t forget that regular veterinary visits and preventive care are an important part of keeping those purrs coming, too. Check out our tips for enriching your indoor cat’s life:

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/how-to-enrich-your-indoor-cats-life/

National Pet Memorial Day: September 13

Today is #NationalPetMemorialDay, a time to honor the pets, both past and present, in our lives. One way to celebrate the life of your pet is to memorialize him or her on the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation’s (TVMF) Pet Memorial Gallery. By donating $10 to TVMF, you can create space online to share your pet’s story with the world. 

https://tvmf.org/pet-memorial-gallery/ 

World Rabies Day: September 28 

September 28 is World Rabies Day. World Rabies Day is an opportunity to reflect on how rabies impacts your community and other communities around the world. The best line of defense against rabies is education. In observance of World Rabies Day, take a moment to learn about the signs of the viral disease, transmission and prevention. #WorldRabiesDay 

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/rabies-danger-to-pets-and-humans/

World Rabies Day: September 28 

World Rabies Day is a good reminder that prevention protects more than just our pets—it helps protect the people and communities who love them, too. Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination current is one of the simplest and most important steps you can take to keep them safe. Learn more about why vaccinations are an important part of your pet’s preventive care.

https://www.tvmf.org/articles/importance-of-immunizations/

New World Screwworm Resources

Planning to travel to Mexico with your dog or pet bird after August 3? New World Screwworm has changed the rules. You will need NWS inspection documents from your veterinarian before you go. Pet cats are not affected. Talk to your veterinarian soon so you are ready in time.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-mexico

The New World screwworm is a serious parasite that can affect warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife. Awareness is one of the best tools for protecting your pets. If your pet has a wound that isn’t healing, develops a foul odor, or you notice unusual movement or larvae in a wound, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian is your best resource for keeping your pets healthy and identifying concerns early. Pet owners can find more information on protecting their pets at the link in our bio.

https://www.tvma.org/Portals/0/Images/Advocacy/Issues-Advocacy/tvma-25-public-screwworm-flyer.pdf

New World Screwworm is in the news, and your veterinarian is your best source for accurate information. Texas Veterinary Medical Association has equipped Texas vets with a plain-language fact sheet to help answer your questions: 

https://www.tvma.org/Portals/0/Images/Resources/Public/NWS Myth Busters.pdf

Even a small cut or wound can attract unwanted pests. That’s why it’s important to check your pets regularly, especially during the warmer months. The New World screwworm is a parasite that can infest wounds on dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife, and other warm-blooded animals. Staying informed and addressing wounds promptly can make all the difference.

Experts recommend:

  • Check your pet regularly for cuts, scrapes, or unusual wounds.
  • Clean and monitor any wounds as they heal.
  • Keep your pet up to date on routine veterinary care and parasite prevention.
  • Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice a wound that worsens quickly, has a foul odor, or contains visible larvae.

Learn more from the veterinary experts at Texas A&M about how to help protect your pets:

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/protecting-pets-from-new-world-screwworm 

New World Screwworm Resources Now Available in Spanish

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has translated its New World Screwworm educational resources into Spanish, making it easier to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients.

These materials, including fact sheets, flyers, and guidance documents, are available on the TAHC New World screwworm resource page and may be helpful for client education and outreach.