Friendship Animal Hospital

09/04/2026

Another cutie to share

09/02/2026

September is a good reminder to make sure pets are included in emergency plans. A basic pet kit with food, water, medications, records, and comfort items can make unexpected situations less stressful.

Preparedness helps protect the whole family, including the furry members who depend on us every day.

09/01/2026

Just had to share this cutie ❤️

09/01/2026

See our blog post for more information about Rabies:

Rabies is one of those diseases that most pet owners hope they will never have to think about. Fortunately, rabies is preventable, and vaccination is one of the most important things you can do to protect your pet, your family, and your community. Although rabies is relatively uncommon in people in....

08/31/2026

National Holistic Pet Day is a reminder that pet wellness includes the whole pet—nutrition, exercise, mental enrichment, preventive care, and emotional well-being.

Small daily habits can have a big impact on your pet’s overall quality of life and long-term health.

08/31/2026

Rabies Is Here: A Reminder for Every Pet Owner

Recent rabies exposure events in our community are an important reminder that rabies is not simply a disease we hear about somewhere else. Rabies is present in North Carolina, including in the wildlife that lives around our homes and neighborhoods.

RABIES QUICK FACTS

Required by North Carolina law
Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and kept current throughout their lives.

Vaccinate by 4 months
Keeping your pet's rabies vaccination current is one of the most important ways to protect your pet, your family, and your community. Animals that are too young for vaccinaiton can still be exposed and get rabies.

Wildlife can carry rabies
Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are among the wildlife species that can carry rabies in North Carolina. While it is more common in some species, any mammal can potentially become infected.

Rabies is primarily spread through bites
The virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through a bite. Contact with saliva through broken skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth can also result in exposure.

Pets do not have to look sick to have been exposed
An animal exposed to rabies may appear healthy during the incubation period, which can last weeks to a year or more.

Once clinical signs develop, rabies is nearly always fatal
This is why prevention and prompt action following a possible exposure are so important.

What can you do?

Keep your pet's rabies vaccination current. Do not allow pets to interact with wildlife, and never attempt to handle sick, injured, or unusually behaving wildlife yourself. Protect pets too young to vaccinate from exposure to wildlife. Teach children to keep their distance from unfamiliar animals.

If your pet is bitten by wildlife or has another potential rabies exposure, contact your veterinarian and local animal control or health department promptly. If a person is bitten or scratched, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water and seek medical advice immediately.

If you are unsure whether your pet's rabies vaccination is current, contact your veterinary team. We are happy to help you determine whether your pet is protected.

Send a message to learn more

08/30/2026

Rabies has been confirmed in multiple baby goats at Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo in Iredell County: https://meck.co/4wPAy2x

If you had contact with these baby goats between July 28 and August 27, 2026 at the petting zoo’s location in Harmony, NC or at an off-site event, contact Public Health immediately for a rabies risk assessment at 980-314-9400. You should not wait for symptoms before calling.

Only those who had close contact with the goats may be at risk. There's no risk to the general public.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented through vaccination after exposure. A healthy animal or human can get rabies when bitten, licked or scratched by a sick animal. The disease most often occurs in wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.

08/26/2026

Happy International Dog Day! Today is all about celebrating the loyalty, joy, and companionship dogs bring to our lives.

From daily walks to quiet moments at home, dogs give us so much love. Supporting their health, comfort, and happiness is one of the best ways to love them back.

08/22/2026

FAQ: Can pets have seasonal allergies?
Yes! Pets can be affected by seasonal allergens like pollen, grass, mold, and outdoor irritants, especially during late summer.

Common signs may include scratching, licking, sneezing, watery eyes, ear irritation, or red, itchy skin. If you notice these symptoms, it may be time to pay closer attention to your pet’s comfort and care.

Question for pet owners: Have you noticed your pet getting itchier during certain seasons?

08/15/2026

Check the Chip Day is a great reminder to review your pet’s microchip information. A microchip can help reunite lost pets with their families, but only if the contact details are current.

Take a few minutes to confirm your pet’s information is accurate and up to date. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.