This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.Although many people think that Carson City Animal Services, a division of Carson City Health and Human Services, only runs the animal shelter, in fact, they provide a wide range of services to our community. By law, Animal Control handles complaints about animals, like barking or bite reports, oversees dog licensing, and enforces all other provisions of Chapter 7 of the Carson City Municipal Code, which deals with animal issues. Animal Services works with a robust group of volunteers that helps employees with socializing and fostering pets for adoption. Those individuals also work with staff to participate in community outreach and education events.Educating the community about responsible pet ownership is an important and often overlooked function of Animal Services. Last year, staff and volunteers participated in 18 events where they distributed information on the importance of rabies and other vaccinations for dogs and cats, spaying/neutering pets, not leaving pets in vehicles and other animal topics.The animal shelter had a successful 2012, and hopes for an even better 2013. During the past year, adoption events and regular adoptions at the shelter helped 256 dogs and 151 cats to find homes. There are still pets at the shelter waiting for a family to give them their forever home. If you are interested in adopting a pet from Carson City Animal Services, you can see the animals that are available on their website www.carsoncityanimalservices.org, or you can stop by the shelter. The adoption hours are noon until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is not open Sunday or Monday. To learn more about our other health department services, check us out on the Web at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or “Like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cchhs. Attention Smokers: Make 2013 the year you quit smoking! Did your 2013 New Year’s Resolutions include kicking the tobacco habit? This could be the most important resolution you ever make. Help is available to help you stop smoking for good. Attend one of these free orientations at Carson City Health & Human Services 5:30 p.m. Monday. Call Cindy Hannah at 775-283-7520 today to sign up.Carson City Health and Human Services: 900 E. Long St., Carson City. Call 775-887-2195. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; call for appointment. Well-child visits: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays. Men's clinic: 4-6 p.m. Mondays. Immunization Day: 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Douglas County Community Health: 1538 Highway 395 North (corner of Spruce Street and Cemetery Lane). Call 775-782-9038. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Monday is Immunization Day: No appointment needed, 1-4:30 p.m.