New Martinsville Animal Hospital, LLC

04/21/2026

🐾 We are proud to partner with Mountaineer Animal Rescue and the WV Spay/Neuter Grant to offer low cost spays and neuters to our community! Spots are limited so call today! Open to Wetzel and Tyler County residents! 🐾 304-455-3990

*Please call for more details and pricing information*

Starting today!!! For Wetzel and Tyler residents only!!!

04/19/2026

ASPCA Poison Control wants to make sure you have all the information you need to keep your pets safe from ma*****na ingestions.

04/19/2026

🐾 If your pet is scooting its rear, it does not always mean that just their a**l glands are full. Skin infection, parasites, diarrhea, growths on the re**um, and matted hair are just some of the other reasons their rear could be itchy! The first thing you should do when you see your pet scooting is take a closer look back there! 🐾

04/19/2026

🐾🛑🐶 Make sure your pets are current on their rabies vaccines!! 🐾🛑🐈

A raccoon found along W.Va. 88 near Tierra Estates in Ohio County has tested positive for rabies, prompting a warning from the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Depar

04/19/2026

04/05/2026

🛑 Attention Ohio dog owners. Avery’s Law is now in effect. If you have an anxious dog, make sure you know what you could be liable for. This law was put in place to protect public safety, but it has some major repercussions for anxious dogs, or those with known behavior issues, and their owners. We will likely start seeing other states adopting similar laws soon. 🛑

A new law in Ohio is now in effect-- and it’s changing how dog attacks are handled across the state.

It’s called Avery’s Law, named after a child who was severely injured in a 2024 dog attack. The law was signed in December 2025 and took effect March 20, 2026.

👉 What it does:
Avery’s Law expands both civil and criminal liability... meaning responsibility doesn’t just fall on the dog’s owner.

It can also apply to:
• Shelters
• Groomers & trainers
• Boarding facilities
• Anyone considered a “keeper” or “harborer” (even someone temporarily watching a dog)

👉 New classifications for dogs:
• Nuisance Dog
• Dangerous Dog
• Vicious Dog

These categories now come with stricter definitions and penalties, including cases where a dog causes injury without even making physical contact.

👉 What counts as “serious injury”?
• Risk of death
• Permanent disfigurement
• Long-term or severe pain
• Temporary or permanent loss of function

👉 Major changes under the law:
• Owners (and others) can face criminal charges even for a first-time incident
• Charges range from misdemeanors to felonies in severe cases
• Strict liability laws mean you can be charged even if you didn’t intend for anything to happen
• If a dog seriously injures or kills someone -- a court must order euthanasia!

👉 New requirements for dangerous/vicious dogs:
• At least $100,000 in liability insurance
• Secure confinement and proper fencing
• Registration, microchipping, and signage
• Must be restrained with a leash or muzzle outside confinement

👉 Why shelters are concerned:
This law could make it harder to take in or adopt out certain animals - especially those with unknown or behavioral histories.

🗣️ “Shelters across the state of Ohio are going to be faced with these very, very tough challenges… deciding what they’re going to do with that animal…”

🗣️ “There very well could be an uptick in euthanasia.”

Shelters say even one incident — especially in a stressful environment — could permanently affect a dog’s future.

🗣️ “That animal can bite and it may not normally do that because of the high stress level.”

And liability doesn’t stop after adoption.

🗣️ “They can hold everyone liable who has had a hand in raising that dog.”

👉 What this means moving forward:
• Documentation of a dog’s behavior is now critical
• Shelters and rescues may become more cautious about intake
• Dogs with unknown histories may be considered higher risk
• Adopters may face new insurance challenges

But shelters stress------- not all dogs should be feared.

🗣️ “I don’t want people to be discouraged from adopting because there are so many animals that are so full of love.”

📌 Bottom line:
Avery’s Law is designed to improve public safety, but it also brings major changes to how dogs are handled, adopted, and cared for across Ohio.

I’ll have the full story tonight on WTOV NEWS9

04/05/2026

Spring doesn’t just bring warmer weather. It brings predictable increases in toxic exposures.🌷

From lilies and chocolate to xylitol, rodenticides, and cleaning products, seasonal risks shift quickly this time of year. The challenge? Many clients don’t recognize the danger until symptoms appear and by then, time matters.

In this Trends article, developed with Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT (Pet Poison Helpline), you’ll find:

🌿 Common spring toxins
👀 Clinical signs to watch for
🩺 Triage and team communication considerations
🗣️ Practical client education strategies

It also includes a printable client handout 📄 you can use in exam rooms or at discharge to reinforce prevention and early intervention.

Because when it comes to toxic exposures, early recognition — even before symptoms — can make all the difference.

🔗 Read the full article and download the handout: https://hubs.li/Q047-72L0

For additional client-friendly education you can share year-round, encourage pet owners to follow our Healthy Pet Instagram page for accessible, preventative guidance 🐾

04/04/2026

👏🐾🐶 Doggie Day Out programs have shown to statistically increase adoption rates in shelters and also decrease stress levels among shelter pets!! 💕🐾🐕‍🦺

🐾 INTRODUCING: FETCH A LITTLE FREEDOM 🐾

Ever wish you could brighten a shelter dog’s day… even if you can’t adopt right now?

Now you can

Starting May 1st, our brand new doggie day out program, Fetch A Little Freedom, lets YOU sign a WCAS pup out for a few hours of fun and normalcy!

🚗 Car rides
🌳 Walks in the park
🥤 Pup cups
💦 Water play
❤️ And most importantly… time out of the kennel

And who knows… while they’re out and about with you, sporting their “Adopt Me” bandana, they just might catch the eye of their forever family

📝 Each pup heads out with a report card, helping us learn more about their personality and match them with the perfect home.

Approved participants will receive a day-out bag of supplies, including a leash, water bowl, treats, and everything you need for a successful adventure!

📸 We would LOVE to see your day! Be sure to tag us in tons of photos so potential adopters can see these pups shine in the real world

👀 Stay tuned to our page for everything you need to know as May 1st gets closer!

Let’s get these pups out, tails wagging, and hearts full 🐾

04/04/2026

Boy or Girl? Here’s How to Tell Your Kitten’s Gender 🐱

Not sure if your kitten is male or female? It’s easier than you think 👇

👉 Lift the tail gently and take a look:

✔ Male: Looks like a “:” (two dots)
✔ Female: Looks like a small “i” (dot + line)

That simple check can help you plan proper care, feeding, and even future spaying/neutering.

⚠️ Always be gentle and check when your kitten is calm.

When in doubt, your vet is your best guide 🤍

04/04/2026

🐶 Tick borne diseases are spreading like wildfire and are definitely here in WV. Keep your pets current on their monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention to keep them safe and healthy! Prevention is key! 🐶

04/04/2026

🐶 Leptospirosis can be fatal if left untreated. It is also zoonotic, meaning if your dog gets infected they can potentially give it to you and your family as well! The best way to protect your dog is keeping them current on their annual leptospirosis vaccine. Prevention is key! 🐶

Spring is here! And with that comes a warning about Leptospirosis, a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria.

All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of age, breed, lifestyle, geographic location, time of year, and other factors. The following situations can increase that risk:

➡Exposure to or drinking from slow-moving or stagnant water sources, like ponds, rivers, lakes, or streams
➡ Roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife or farm animals or urine-contaminated water sources)
➡ Exposure to wild animals (especially rodents) or farm animals, even if in the backyard
➡ Contact with other dogs (such as in urban areas, dog parks, or boarding or training facilities)

For more information on the signs of leptospirosis, how to prevent it, and more visit: https://bit.ly/4rHvtrq

04/04/2026

🐾 Free Adoptions All April 🌸

We are incredibly grateful to share that Tim O’Grady with State Farm is sponsoring ALL dog and cat adoptions for the entire month of April! This truly couldn’t have come at a better time.

Over the past week alone, we’ve taken in nearly 20 dogs, including a heartbreaking neglect case, and it has placed a real strain on our shelter. Support like this makes a huge difference—for us and for the animals who need a second chance.

Now is the perfect time to adopt. With no adoption fees, beautiful spring weather, and so many amazing dogs and cats waiting for homes, your new best friend might be closer than you think. 💗

We’ve been so busy that not all of our available animals have even made it to our page—so we encourage you to stop in during business hours and meet them in person! Our staff is ready and excited to help you find the perfect match.

A huge thank you again to Tim O’Grady State Farm for making this possible. 🐾

Come meet your new best friend—we can’t wait to see you! ❤️🐾