Did you know that puppies or kittens can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age? Don’t get stuck with accidental litters. You can fix each puppy or kitten for $20 in June at Altered Tails, Barnhart Clinic, 950 W. Hatcher Road in Phoenix. Call (602) 942-SPAY (7729) for more information or visit www.alteredtails.org.

The Food and Drug Administration will now allow women age 15 and older to buy the emergency contraceptive Plan B over the counter. Unfortunately, there is no “Plan B” for dogs and cats who find themselves in trouble — and that’s why it’s vital to have them spayed or neutered as soon as possible.

Pet rescue groups across the Valley are coming together with a three-year initiative to solve the problem of pet homelessness by fixing, adopting and saving Valley pets.

Over three days more than 50 dogs made their way in and out of a house in north Phoenix as Ahwatukee Foothills resident Brad Jaffe filmed his complete at-home dog teaching system.

It’s that time of year again! Friends for Life Animal Rescue is accepting donations for its annual yard sale that will be happening April 5-7 at the shelter, 143 W. Vaughn Ave. in downtown Gilbert.

St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee will be hosting the Phoenix Guide Dog Raisers this Saturday, March 23 for a state-wide training event.

Standing a full 12 inches tall and weighing in at a solid 20 pounds, Sampson the Pug used to think himself a Goliath. He would wrestle, frolic and play among the likes of German Shepherds, Boxers and Labradors.

From raisins to onions to acetaminophen, the typical Ahwatukee home is filled with items that can be toxic to pets.

A unique partnership between a car dealership and area rescue groups is good news for animals looking for forever homes.

A new kind of pet store that features rescued dogs and cats rather than purebred puppies and kittens will have its grand opening inside Chandler Fashion Center this weekend.

After a successful year reaching a goal of $10,000 last year for Valley Dogs, an Ahwatukee Foothills couple is at it again organizing a local golf tournament for a cause that means so much.

Los Angeles   •   Dogs and cats can’t brush, spit, gargle or floss on their own. So owners who want to avoid bad pet breath will need to lend a hand.

Bedtime at Katherine Heigl’s house can take a while. As a mom of two daughters and seven other kids of the four-legged variety, she likes to give each one special attention.

Two kids, two pets, two jobs, too much.

Ollie, a 2-year-old Shepherd-Chinese Shar-Pei mix, is excited to meet new people. He gets so excited sometimes that he forgets just how big he is (he likes to give bear hugs). Other than needing to work on his manners, Ollie is a pretty happy-go-lucky oversized puppy. He recently learned about hiking, and loves it. Enjoying the fresh air on a nice day with a human is really something Ollie looks forward to.

Lucky is a 12-year-old Spaniel, American Cocker. This sweet older gal is hoping to be lucky enough to find a great new home. She may be getting up there in years, but still has lots of energy. With age comes knowledge; she knows the commands for sit, down, shake, stay, come, speak and even high-10. So, if you’re looking for a smart, active dog, without the “growing pains” of a puppy, Lucky is the girl for you. She is compatible with all ages of humans, but would like to be the only animal in the home.

Odin, a 1-year-old Alaskan Husky/Boxer mix, is a very active and energetic youngster. His motto is “play hard, nap, play some more.” Odin still has a lot of puppy left in him, and loves to interact with people in a playful and jumpy way. He would be a great candidate for some training classes, lots of exercise, and stimulation.

A beloved pet dressed in a Halloween costume, posed next to a lit jack-o’-lantern, sounds like a great photo opportunity — but it’s also a fire hazard.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA will have HAAWL-o-ween fun for the family (including Fido), with dog costume contests, games, prizes and trick or treating at Sonia Breslow Adoption Center at the Arizona Animal Welfare League, 25 N. 40th St. in Phoenix on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All activities are free.

For puppies and kittens, size really does matter.

Contessa, “Tessa” for short, is a gorgeous girl, about 1 year old. She’s experiencing things now she should have experienced when she was a puppy. Poor Tessa was a “backyard” dog so instead of being part of the family she was left on her own. She is very happy to see and be with people. Tessa is a smart girl so would benefit from an owner familiar with her breed and willing to keep her busy with training, play time, walks, and car rides. Tessa would do best in a home with no young children as she’s young, large, and still learning. Tessa is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. She lives at Friends for Life’s adoption center located in downtown Gilbert.

For many children, their first pet is a virtual one.