 Cats and dogs require different care, but both do need responsible guardians. For dog owners, please comply with leash laws and only let your dogs run loose in designated off-leash areas. Educate your dog by attending good manners classes together. Make annual veterinary visits to help keep them healthy. Get them spayed or neutered to help combat pet overpopulation. Respect your neighbors by properly disposing of pet waste and not allowing nuisance barking. For our cat owners, please keep them safe too. Let's keep them out of the food chain so they're not being preyed on or preying on wildlife. Cats litter boxes ought to be scooped daily to support good litter box habits. Even indoor kitties should have annual veterinary checkups. Play and proper feeding helps keep them slim and help them live longer, happier lives. For cats and dogs, petting and grooming strengthens your bond with your pets and helps keep you alert to any health-related changes in them. There are spay-neuter requirements as well as annual licensing for dogs in our county. Cats and dogs must be current on the rabies vaccinations and have microchip ID to help them get home if they're ever lost. A collar with current contact information is also strongly recommended. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter offers low-cost spay-neuter services, one-stop vaccine, microchip and licensing programs, and a list of fun local dog trainers. Come on in and visit the shelter. We're glad to be a resource and we're open seven days a week.