10/08/2026
A Message from the Cottonwood Family ๐
We at Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital would like to gently remind our community that we are a veterinary hospital, not an animal shelter or rescue facility. There are much safer ways to help your pet.
We completely understand that times are difficult, and we truly want to help whenever and however we can. However, we also want everyone to understand just how critical and dangerous situations like this can become for an animal.
This morning (we assume) a dog was left in a crate in our parking lot with the door unlocked and open, along Highway 18. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan noticed the crate and brought the situation to our attention. Had they not, this sweet girl could have been left alone for days, potentially with a much worse outcome. She could have easily escaped into traffic, been struck by a vehicle, or run away and never been seen again.
We are closed today, October 8th, through the weekend due to continuing education, which made this situation even more concerning. We are incredibly grateful that someone happened to notice her and that she was not left unattended.
Please, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for an animal, do not leave them at our facility or outside our doors. We would be more than happy to help in any way we can โ including providing phone numbers, contact information, and resources for local rescues, shelters, and other organizations that may be able to assist.
If you are ever struggling with your animals or unsure where to turn, please feel free to contact our office. We will always do our best to point you in the right direction and help connect you with the appropriate resources.
Our goal is never to judge. We simply want to make sure that animals are kept safe, protected, and cared for, especially during difficult circumstances.
Thank you for understanding, for caring about our community, and most importantly, for looking out for the animals who depend on us. ๐
โ The Cottonwood Family ๐พ๐