Friends of Mills River Dog Park

04/07/2026

A coordinated effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the North Carolina Department of Health is underway to help stop the spread of rabies in our region.

Beginning around April 13, 2026, teams will distribute more than 600,000 oral rabies vaccine baits across multiple Western North Carolina counties, including Haywood.

What to expect:

-Baits are small (about the size of a matchbox) and coated with a fishmeal scent to attract raccoons
-They may be dropped from aircraft or placed by hand in certain areas
-The vaccine is safe and designed to immunize raccoons against rabies

This program has been in place since 2005 and plays a critical role in protecting people, pets, and wildlife by preventing the spread of raccoon rabies.

What you should do:

-Avoid touching the baits if you see them
-Keep pets from disturbing or eating them
-Report any strange-acting animals to local animal control or call 1-866-4-USDA-WS

By increasing the number of vaccinated raccoons, we create a natural barrier that helps stop rabies from spreading further.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe!

04/03/2026

The signs of cancer in dogs can be subtle, but early detection is crucial. Learn how to recognize symptoms and what to do if you notice changes in your pet.

03/26/2026

Kitten Season is here, and unfortunately that also means we're seeing an uptick in fake pages and groups pretending to be legitimate rescues. These accounts are often created to collect personal information, ask for donations that never go to animals, or scam well-meaning people who are trying to help.

We want our community to stay safe while still showing up for kittens who truly need it, so here are a few simple ways to protect yourself:

• Double check the page – Look closely at the name, handle, and how long the page has existed. Scammers often use names that are very similar to real organizations but slightly off.

• Look for a real website – Legit rescues will have an established website that matches their social media. Be cautious if you’re only being directed to payment apps or messaging platforms.

• Be cautious with payment methods – Requests for Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, or gift cards with no official donation link are a red flag. Established organizations use secure, trackable donation platforms.

• Don’t share personal information – No legitimate rescue will ask for sensitive personal details through social media messages.

• When in doubt, go direct – If you’re unsure, visit the organization’s official website or call them directly instead of clicking links from social media.

We hate that this is something we even have to talk about — but protecting our community is just as important as protecting kittens.

If you ever see a page pretending to be us, please report it and let us know. And as always, thank you for caring enough to show up for tiny kittens.

03/18/2026

France just relaxed its strict pet import rules because of the crisis in the Middle East. French nationals returning home can now bring their dogs and cats even if the animals do not meet the usual EU health requirements. The temporary measure applies to pets arriving from 13 countries and runs until April 30, 2026.

Normally, bringing a dog or cat into France from outside the EU means following very specific health rules. Think rabies vaccination timelines, microchips, and official veterinary certificates. In an emergency evacuation situation, many families simply cannot get all of that sorted in time.

To make things easier, the Ministry of Agriculture created a temporary exemption. Owners must sign a commitment form, contact a veterinarian as soon as they arrive in France, and declare the animal to the local authority responsible for animal protection in their area. It is a practical solution that lets families return safely without leaving their pets behind.

It is a small detail in a much bigger geopolitical situation, but for many people it matters a lot. Anyone who has travelled with a pet knows they are part of the family, and this policy makes sure they can come home too.

03/13/2026

03/11/2026

03/11/2026