Rainbow Wags June 2026
Summer is finally here! June is the month to get outside and enjoy time with our pets, whether we’re hiking with our dogs or relaxing in the deck chairs with our kitties.
Getting outdoors does have some risks, though, and one of them is ticks and fleas. Both biting critters (fleas are insects, but ticks are arachnids, like spiders and scorpions!) can pass along parasites and diseases, some of which can also be transferred to humans.
Preventing parasites is always easier and more cost-effective than treating the problems they cause, and it’s safer for you and your family to have a parasite-free pet. Luckily, preventing both ticks and fleas is simpler and much safer than it used to be (those who worked at Rainbow Ag “in the olden days” remember “Dip Day,” when customers could bring their dogs to the store and dunk them in an actual vat of sheep dip — it was exactly as bad as it sounds, and we’re not sad to see it go). Modern flea and tick prevention is as simple as squeezing a tiny tube of liquid onto your pet’s shoulder once a month! And this month, you can save some cash on Apex topical treatment, which acts fast and kills fleas, ticks, and chewing lice on contact for 30 days. This month’s subscriber coupon gives you $10 off Apex 3-packs for dogs and cats (regular price $24.99). That’s a whole summer of tick- and flea-free fun for about $5.00 per month!
Subscriber Coupon ~ Print Out or Show Us On Your Phone
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If you’re planning a road trip with your pets, you might want to check out what parasites could be waiting there. Ticks that carry certain diseases are prevalent in some regions and absent altogether in others, and other diseases, such as Lyme disease, have migrated to new areas. Learn more about parasites and the diseases they can carry on an informative website produced by CAPC, the Companion Animal Parasite Council, an independent council of veterinarians, veterinary parasitologists, and other animal health care professionals. An interactive map shows the prevalence of different parasites for both cats and dogs by state/province or county, and the blog contains thorough articles. https://www.petsandparasites.org/
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SNAP – The Spay Neuter Assistance Program Needs Our Help!
SNAP is an all-volunteer 501(c)3, non-profit organization dedicated solely to offering affordable spay/neuter alternatives for dogs and cats. They support rescues and those caring for feral colonies, and thanks to more people helping feral cats, SNAP’s funds are at an all-time low! To donate to SNAP, visit their website. Don’t let the lights go dark at SNAP!
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The Mendocino County Chapter of the American Kennel Club will be busy this month. Along with hosting a booth TODAY, Saturday June 20 at Bark in the Park in Ukiah (9 am to noon), the Mendocino County Chapter is also inviting all patriotic pups and their people to take a walk: an AKC Star Spangled Banner Fit Walk on Sunday, June 28. Meet at 6:00 PM at Skelly Dogs Training—the pack leaves at 6 pm sharp. Everyone is welcome, on leash.
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And speaking of the Star Spangled Banner, Happy Independence Day!
If your pets don’t love the Fourth of July as much as we do, now is the time to prepare. Call your veterinarian now if you’ll need medications for your pets, and plan ahead if your pet needs a safe place to stay during the fireworks. The trick of putting a tennis ball, old shoes, or a knotted towel in the dryer (with the heat off!) often works well—the rhythmic thudding helps mask the booms. More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year, and the Fifth of July is dreaded by veterinarians, shelters, and rescue groups alike. Here’s to every member of your family having a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!
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Trivia
Enter to win a $15.00 Rainbow Coupon! All correct answers go into a random drawing.
The May question was, How many pets in the United States are microchipped? Our winner is Lance Latchin with the correct answer that less than 50% of all pets in the US are microchipped.
This month’s question is, What kind of walk is the Mendocino County AKC Chapter hosting on June 28?