FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Pet Carousel Conducts Nationwide Recall of Beef Hoof Products and Pig Ears Because of Salmonella Risk
Company Contact:
Pet Carousel, Inc
800-231-3572
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 9, 2009 – Sanger, CA-- Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.
These products were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.
Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The following products have been recalled: The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight, Pork Tasteez and Pet Carousel
Item No.:
18100-P Bulk
18016-P 10-pk red mesh bag
18120-P 20-pk red mesh bag.
The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel
Item No.:
1506-K 5 lb. bulk
1507-K 10 lb. bulk
1520-K 20 lb. bulk
12125-T 10-pk vinyl bag
12110-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
12111-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
12122-T 10 lb., bulk
1503-K 3-pk, vinyl bag
1510-K 10-pk ,vinyl bag
1405-S 5 lb., bulk
1408-S 10-pk, vinyl bag
1410-S 10 lb., bulk
1420-S 20 lb., bulk
90058-H Cheese/& Bacon Stuffed Hoof, bulk
90056-H Peanut Butter Stuffed Hoof, bulk
17005-R Rope toy with Hooves.
The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores throughout the country. All sizes and all lots of these pork ears purchased on or after 08/16/2009 and all beef hoof products in all varieties purchased on or after 09/16/2009 made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.
Pet Carousel has completed notifying its consignees and requested the consignees return affected products and remove them from retail sales. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, Pet Carousel is issuing this press release to inform consumers of potential risks and to ensure that all affected product has either been returned or otherwise removed from use.
Consumers who have purchased the products described above should cease use and return the product to their place of purchase. Additionally, consumers with questions may contact Pet Carousel at 800-231-3572 from 8:00am to 4:00pm PST.
Arm & Hammer is partnering with North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) to educate cat owners about the importance of pet identification tags.
To support the collaboration, Arm & Hammer has launched an integrated marketing campaign with the tagline: “Tag a Cat, Save a Life.” Ads will appear on packages of Arm & Hammer cat litter products, online and in handouts delivered to new cat owners at the point of pet adoption.
A print campaign will appear in consumer magazines throughout the summer, including Martha Stewart Living, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle. The campaign also includes online ads on sites including Pet Place, DogTime and Cat Channel.
Model and author Beth Ostrosky Stern (wife of Howard Stern) is a volunteer with NSALA and is a spokesperson for the effort, but will not appear in any A&H marketing materials. She will conduct a radio media tour, says an Arm & Hammer spokesperson.
Cat owners can obtain a free personalized ID tag via mail with the purchase of any two Arm & Hammer cat litters. The promotion ends Dec. 31 and requests must be postmarked by Jan. 15. The campaign will direct consumers to www.pettagoffer.com. The effort was created by Ferrara & Company for Arm & Hammer parent company Church & Dwight. Both are based in Princeton, N.J. <read more>
According to a recent post in USA Today, many veterinarians have distinct opinions on what we name our animals.
“Less-than-fetching pet names can reflect back on owners,” Florida-based veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly says that what a cat or dog is named can reveal quite a bit about the pet parent.
So what does your pet’s name say about you?
Whether it’s the twentysomething’s Rottweiler named “FUBAR” or the newlywed couple’s first kitten registered as “Emma,” veterinarians usually get the picture.
Dr. Khuly says that trends and the person’s attitude toward their pet is reflected in their name and their name reflects back on you.
“Though I may make fun, I do understand that our pets’ names are justifiably sacred. The bond we share with them gets its early start when we offer them a denomination (or epithet, as the case may be) and is constantly reinforced with each call and response.”
That’s right. Just don’t make fun of me for having no imagination because I named our white cat…White Cat.
Every once in awhile I’ll come across something someone has written that so perfectly showcases challenges a pet parent will face one day that I don’t want to even try to give my take on it.
And that’s how I feel about this blog post that I discovered recently. It perfectly shows what we’ll all be faced with at some time and very importantly what your vet’s responsibility in those scenarios are and what YOURS are as well.
Well written from the point of a veterinary technician, someone who sees these dramas played out on a daily basis.
————————
What if….
Scenario 1:
What if your pet was very sick and when you took them to the vet they said that they didn’t know what was wrong with him, just take him home and make him comfortable. No offer of any diagnostics whatsoever. Then your pet died.
Scenario 2:
What if your vet did offer you diagnostics? But you elected to not have them done, it doesn’t matter the reason. Then your pet died.
Which scenario is the fault of the veterinarian?
Scenario 3:
What if your vet was given permission to do the diagnostics, got an idea what could possibly be wrong but wasn’t sure without further testing, but didn’t offer it to you because the testing was quite expensive and your pet died?
Scenario 4:
What if the vet did offer to do further testing you declined and your pet died?
Which scenario is the fault of the veterinarian.
Scenario 5:
Okay, you opted for all the possible testing, the vet made a definitive diagnosis, knew of a fantastic treatment protocol that could (nothing in life is a guarantee) save your dog BUT it’s very expensive and maybe your pet would die anyway. So the vet elects to not even mention it, after all, why would anyone want to spend that kind of money on a pet? Your pet dies a week later after treatments that were much more affordable and could possibly save your pet…but doesn’t.
Scenario 6:
Same as #5 but this time the vet DOES offer you the expensive treatment that you decline due to cost. Sadly the outcome is the same as #5.
Scenario 7:
Same as #5, but this time you opt to go for the more expensive treatment and though things look pretty good at first, your pet dies anyway. 🙁
Which scenario is the fault of the veterinarian?
___________________________________
If you said; #1, #3 and #5 you would be correct.
Does that make you at fault for the others? Absolutely not!!! Sometimes, our beloved pets die, no matter how much money we throw at their problem, no matter how much we love them. It sucks, but it’s not ALL about blame.
The problem that I’m trying to outline (I never claimed to be a writer folks, LOL) is that a veterinarian is under a moral & legal obligation to offer to you every thing that he or she knows is available that may help your pet when it is ill. It’s not a financial obligation. It’s what’s right. It would be downright mean and irresponsible to not inform you of ALL of your options to help your friend and companion.
Your obligation is to do what you’re capable of doing.
Don’t feel guilty because you can’t afford a treatment out of your financial capacity, it’s okay.
I can’t afford a lot of treatments for my own pets either. It hurts like hell, but it’s the truth. We hear stories of people taking out a 2nd mortgage for cancer treatments and the like for the pets, but they’re not common. One client I know sold her car! That was what THEY chose to do, but it’s not expected, by any stretch of the imagination, for every pet owner to do so.
Don’t be shy, say no if you need to do so. Above all…don’t feel guilty. It really is OK that you can’t afford an MRI, expensive cancer treatments or thousands of dollars worth of testing.
Spring, gardens, mulch, fresh air, outside with our pets……YUM! As Julie Andrews sang, “These are a few of my favorite things!”
As the urge to be outside in nature gets stronger, and you revel in the sights and sounds of the new life springing forth, be aware of some potential hazards that can harm your dog if you are not careful. One of them is cocoa mulch – a product that has grown in popularity over the past several years because it looks great and smells delicious, just like cocoa.
Many dogs think so too, and there have been several occurrences of dogs getting ill and even dying after ingesting cocoa mulch.
Analysis: No question about it, chocolate and other products made from cacao beans — e.g., cocoa mulch — contain substances toxic to certain animals, including both dogs and cats. And the main culprit is indeed theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical which acts as a mild diuretic and stimulant in human beings but is poisonous to animals less well equipped to metabolize it.
Cocoa mulch, which consists mainly of cacao bean shells, contains a higher concentration of theobromine than chocolate processed for human consumption. Dogs are attracted to the scent and in documented cases have eaten the stuff, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, seizures and, in rare instances, death. While it’s equally toxic to cats, veterinarians say they are less likely to ingest cocoa products and therefore less at risk.
If you suspect your dog may have eaten cocoa mulch, the ASPCA recommends contacting your veterinarian immediately or calling the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 for expert advice.
Symptoms of Theobromine toxicity may include:
vomiting & diarrhea
trembling, acting nervous
seizures, muscle spasms
excessive thirst
unconsciousness
death – although this is rare
Most dog owners know not to give their dog or cat chocolate because they can die from it. Now you know about cocoa mulch and to keep an eye on your dog when you are out and about with him or her.
Keeping our pets safe is something we take seriously 🙂
As I sit here writing this article, my ear is attuned to a certain sound that, when I hear it, always causes me to drop what I’m doing and go do something else.
Oh, I’ve tried to resist that sound and I’ve actually managed to hold out for at most a minute before I may an excuse to myself and I get up in response.
You may be wondering what that sound is?
It’s the call of the White Cat.
And there’s a good reason why the call of the white cat has the effect it does on me. There is science behind my response. And if you’ve ever had a similar thing happen to you be glad to know we can’t help it.
There’s a certain type of urgent-sounding, high-pitched meow, and some cats can make this sound when they want to be fed.
The white cat is one of them and it’s a cry that he has worked on and developed over time, I’m sure.
The study shows that we humans find this particular cry annoying and difficult to ignore and I can attest that this study is right.
Here’s an excerpt from an article on the study which was conducted by Karen McComb of the University of Sussex:
“Cats know us
Previous research has shown similarities between cat cries and human infant cries.
McComb suggests that the purr-cry may subtly take advantage of humans’ sensitivity to cries they associate with nurturing offspring. Also, including the cry within the purr could make the sound “less harmonic and thus more difficult to habituate to,” she said.
McComb got the idea for the study from her experience with her own cat, who would consistently wake her up in the mornings with a very insistent purr. After speaking with other cat owners, she learned that some of their cats also made the same type of call. As a scientist who studies vocal communication in mammals, she decided to investigate the manipulative meow.
Tough to test
Setting up the experiments wasn’t easy. While the felines used purr-cries around their familiar owners, they were not eager to make the same cries in front of strangers. So McComb and her team trained cat owners to record their pets’ cries — capturing the sounds made by cats when they were seeking food and when they were not. In all, the team collected recordings from 10 different cats.
The researchers then played the cries back for 50 human participants, not all of whom owned cats. They found that humans, even if they had never had a cat themselves, judged the purrs recorded while cats were actively seeking food — the purrs with an embedded, high-pitched cry — as more urgent and less pleasant than those made in other contexts.
When the team re-synthesised the recorded purrs to remove the embedded cry, leaving all else unchanged, the human subjects’ urgency ratings for those calls decreased significantly. “
Cat behavior problems are a common complaint with people that are owned by them. Our office cats started out being complained about frequently but I’ve been pretty successful in getting them somewhat trained to be part of the office (this after having several ‘accidents’ here that good behavior could have fixed).
My advice to owners looking for help?
There are some good eBooks out on cat behavior problems that really can help in many situations and when those don’t work I usually recommend contacting a trainer..and if that does not work?
Well, then you sit there waiting for a certain sound…………….
VetLocator.com’s Daily Paws VetLocator – where you can find
the right professional and the
right advice for your pet
I’m about to repeat something that your mom probably told you many times when you were growing up and it has to do with brushing teeth. But this time the advice is for your pets.
Do you brush your pet’s teeth daily?
If you’re like most pet owners, the answer is a definite NO.
You may be thinking, “My pet would never let me near his/her teeth let alone sit still while I BRUSH them” or “My life is so hectic I can barely get my own teeth brushed, let alone the cat’s.”
Most pet owners never even look in their pet’s mouths, let alone brushing their teeth.
However, being aware of the condition of your pet’s teeth and in keeping them in good shape is just as important to their health as it is to yours.
And it just so happens that February is pet dental health month, a great time to learn more on what you can do to help your pet keep his/her teeth clean.
Having your pet’s teeth checked during it’s semi-annual wellness check is normally part of your vets routine. During this check your veterinarian can help you determine your pet’s oral health state.
Periodontal disease is very common in dogs and cats and depending on its severity, it can cause varying degrees of halitosis, tartar or plaque, gingivitis and/or tooth disease depending on age and breed.
Here are step-by-step instructions (see the video below from Howzini) on how to brush your dog’s teeth:
1. Put pet-safe toothpaste on your finger and allow the dog to lick some of it off (pet toothpaste comes in flavors such as chicken).
2. Start with just 1 tooth. Put toothpaste on the toothbrush and rub in a little toothpaste where the tooth meets the gum line.
3. Do not brush your dog’s teeth like you brush your own teeth. Instead, just smear the toothpaste on your dog’s tooth — 1 tooth at a time. Dog toothpaste is made to dissolve the plaque without much rubbing or scrubbing.
4. If the first tooth went well, then try the same thing on another tooth. Until your dog gets used to this process, you may need to do only a few teeth at a time — in one sitting.
Cats can sometimes be a little trickier than dogs, and here is a video that shows a cat getting her teeth cleaned:
Here are some things you can do besides brushing to help keep your pet’s teeth clean:
Get a professional dental cleaning to start. A routine teeth cleaning is very similar to the cleaning you receive from your hygienist.
Provide dental treats and chews to help slow the development of tartar.
Use veterinary approved toothpaste when you brush your pet’s teeth. Human toothpaste or baking soda can cause an upset stomach.
And just like in humans, if your pet has significant tooth or periodontal disease present, not only is his health and comfort at risk, but additional care may be necessary including tooth extractions, treatment for infections, growths and tumors.
To maintain good health, your pet needs a healthy mouth. Daily brushing can help and you can contact your veterinarian for recommendations on how you can prevent and/or treat dental disease in your pet.
As always, if you are looking for veterinary care, VetLocator.com has local vets that are available to provide the help that you need and if you can’t find what you are looking for, just shoot our Customer Care staff an email and we’ll be glad to help you out!
I’m about to repeat something that your mom probably told you many times when you were growing up and it has to do with brushing teeth. But this time the advice is for your pets.
Do you brush your pet’s teeth daily?
If you’re like most pet owners, the answer is a definite NO.
You may be thinking, “My pet would never let me near his/her teeth let alone sit still while I BRUSH them” or “My life is so hectic I can barely get my own teeth brushed, let alone the cat’s.”
Most pet owners never even look in their pet’s mouths, let alone brushing their teeth.
However, being aware of the condition of your pet’s teeth and in keeping them in good shape is just as important to their health as it is to yours.
And it just so happens that February is pet dental health month, a great time to learn more on what you can do to help your pet keep his/her teeth clean.
Having your pet’s teeth checked during it’s semi-annual wellness check is normally part of your vets routine. During this check your veterinarian can help you determine your pet’s oral health state.
Periodontal disease is very common in dogs and cats and depending on its severity, it can cause varying degrees of halitosis, tartar or plaque, gingivitis and/or tooth disease depending on age and breed.
Here are step-by-step instructions (see the video below from Howzini) on how to brush your dog’s teeth:
1. Put pet-safe toothpaste on your finger and allow the dog to lick some of it off (pet toothpaste comes in flavors such as chicken).
2. Start with just 1 tooth. Put toothpaste on the toothbrush and rub in a little toothpaste where the tooth meets the gum line.
3. Do not brush your dog’s teeth like you brush your own teeth. Instead, just smear the toothpaste on your dog’s tooth — 1 tooth at a time. Dog toothpaste is made to dissolve the plaque without much rubbing or scrubbing.
4. If the first tooth went well, then try the same thing on another tooth. Until your dog gets used to this process, you may need to do only a few teeth at a time — in one sitting.
Cats can sometimes be a little trickier than dogs, and here is a video that shows a cat getting her teeth cleaned:
Here are some things you can do besides brushing to help keep your pet’s teeth clean:
Get a professional dental cleaning to start. A routine teeth cleaning is very similar to the cleaning you receive from your hygienist.
Provide dental treats and chews to help slow the development of tartar.
Use veterinary approved toothpaste when you brush your pet’s teeth. Human toothpaste or baking soda can cause an upset stomach.
And just like in humans, if your pet has significant tooth or periodontal disease present, not only is his health and comfort at risk, but additional care may be necessary including tooth extractions, treatment for infections, growths and tumors.
To maintain good health, your pet needs a healthy mouth. Daily brushing can help and you can contact your veterinarian for recommendations on how you can prevent and/or treat dental disease in your pet.
As always, if you are looking for veterinary care, VetLocator.com has local vets that are available to provide the help that you need and if you can’t find what you are looking for, just shoot our Customer Care staff an email and we’ll be glad to help you out!
Here’s to great teeth for both you and your pets,
www.vetlocator.com
———————-
I just fell in love with this picture when I first came across it on ABC’s website. Isn’t it great?????
Since then I’ve seen it scattered across the web on other sites but I had to share it with you for our Valentine’s Daily Paws.
To me it’s a perfect representation of the give and take of love and affection most of us have for our pets. It captures those moments of time when your animal does something that makes you stop whatever else you were doing and state (or think silently but very strongly) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Valentine’s day is a day to spend with the one(s) you love. Now, according to a recent poll conducted by Reuters of 24,000 people in 23 countries, over 1/5 of those surveyed would rather spend Valentine’s day with their pets than with their spouse. Isn’t that interesting?
Here are more interesting items that came out of the poll including which country is the least likely to vote for their pet..
Rather than spending Valentine’s Day with their partner, one-fifth of adults would prefer to be with their pet, although the French still came top for romance, according to a joint global poll by Reuters/Ipsos.
The survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries found 21% of adults would rather spend February 14 with their pet than their spouse, although the French were least likely to choose a furry friend over a human with only 10% taking that option.
But the survey found that age and income were more of a determining factor than nationality when it came to romance, with younger, less affluent people more likely to choose their pet as their Valentine’s Day companion.
John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos, said 25% of people aged under 35 opted for their pet over their partner compared to 18% of those aged 35-54 and 14% of people aged 55 plus.
Men and women were evenly split over the question.
Those choosing pets over people were also more likely to be those who have a lower income (24%) compared to those who were middle or higher income earners (20%).
“Likely defying stereotype, the desire to spurn a partner for a pet is not rooted in gender but rather age and even there it seems the older you are, the least likely it is you’d choose pet over partner,” said Wright.
“While there are country differences, it’s more of a personal choice made by younger and less affluent individuals.”
On a country-by-country basis, residents of Turkey were the most likely, at 49%, to choose their pet over their spouse or partner.
Next came India with 41%, then Japan with 30%, China with 29%, the United States with 27% and Australia with 25%.
On the other hand, the nations where residents were the least likely to want to spend the day with a pet instead of their spouse or partner were France at 10%, Mexico 11%, the Netherlands 12% and Hungary at 12%.
The following results table from the Reuters/Ipsos poll begins with countries where citizens were most likely to agree that they “would rather spend the day with a pet than with my spouse or partner:”
About 1,000 individuals participated on a country by country basis via an Ipsos (http://www.ipsos.com) online panel with weighting employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflected that of the adult population according to the most recent country census data.
I’ve been very busy lately – the unplanned kind of busy that stretches time. And my guess is many of you have been this kind of busy too.
Since the news about Haiti hit, I’ve given a good chunk of my already non-existant extra time to helping with local efforts to bring relief to the suffering and dying people whose lives have so abruptly changed and will never, ever be the same again.
But just a few days ago my attention was yanked back here to another kind of relief, and it is also the kind to bring help to suffering and dying whose lives are affected through circumstances that they did not cause and have no control over.
These are the increasingly larger number of homeless and shelter pets in our country and the people who devote so much of their time and energy in helping them.
We can’t stop our help and we need to increase it if we can. With that in mind, we have a new post on our Daily Paws Blog on things you can do to help homeless pets. Of course, one of those things has to do with money, but there are also other things to help that don’t.
Take a moment and check them out and commit to doing at least one of them. A hungry homeless pet’s thank you will be your reward……………
15 Ways to Help Homeless and Needy Pets and Their Caregivers
Some of these are our own ideas and others we’ve gathered from various groups online…
There are many ways that you can take to help the increasing number of homeless and hungry pets in your community. Here are a list of 15 of those ways you can help and you can probably think of others too.
Make a donation to a local shelter or rescue group’s general fund which can be used for whatever the group chooses.
Organize a fundraiser – a garage sale, pet charity auction, variety show, etc. whose benefits go to the group of your choice.
Donate to a specific program already in place at an organization you choose to support. Examples are lost pet programs, subsidized adoption programs, cruelty investigation programs and spay/neuter programs. Your gift then will be used for that particular program and nothing else.
Enroll in a subscription donation program. You’ve seen them on TV. You pledge to donate a specific amount each month to go toward caring for needy pets. As a caution, it is good to check out the group you are donating to, ensuring your money is going directly toward care and not for administrative costs.
Make a visit to one of the websites that will donate dog or cat food to shelters and rescue groups when you click on some of their advertiser links. www.FreeKibble.com is one such site. The search engine www.dogpile.com (a search engine that simultaneously searches Google, Bing and Yahoo and displays all results) will donate a percentage of their ad revenue to help homeless pets. This is a painless, no money involved way to help – although it is also a good idea to support those businesses participating in the program by advertising and donating money.
Memorials are an overlooked way to donate and honor a favorite pet or person who has passed away. You can donate in the name of your loved one and know that they would be proud you’ve done so.
Tributes are cash donations to honor living people and pets who are making a difference in your life, or in the community. Most groups will send you a note to the honoree telling them of your generosity on their behalf.
Donations of goods and services the shelter can use – known as in-kind donations. Shelters or rescue groups will often have a “Wish List” of items they need posted on their website, but if you don’t see it, just call and ask. Services can also be donated – printing, copying, cleaning, grooming, vet care and many other services can be donated and this is a great way for small businesses to help.
Cut coupons out of the paper and send them to a rescue. If possible, use the coupons yourself and deliver the items to the shelter. Pet companies will frequently offer a buy one-get one coupon or a free item especially for new products. If you’re buying something for your pet, use the coupon and give the extra one to the shelter. The coupons don’t have to be for pet food, shelters and rescues need cleaning supplies including laundry detergent, bleach and paper towels.
Sponsor a homeless animal. Many shelters and rescue groups offer sponsorship opportunities for their hard-to-place animals. You pick the animal you want to sponsor, donate a set amount each month until the animal is adopted, and in exchange you get a photo and periodic updates on the animal.
If you have a business, become a sponsor for a pet friendly event that benefits a local shelter or rescue group. Sponsorships by small businesses and pet-friendly establishments allow organizations to put on bigger, better fund raising events without challenging already tight budgets, and they’re a good deal for the companies, too. In exchange for a sponsorship most organizations offer free advertising in event promotional materials and programs and signage the evening of the event as well as free admission and other perks.
Do you have old blankets and towels in your linen closet? Don’t throw them away, take them to a shelter. With so many pets under one roof, laundry is a never ending chore. The pets really appreciate having a soft bed and they don’t care if it’s a Backstreet Boys blanket.
Are you a groomer? If so, donate your time and offer to groom some homeless pets. They will not only look better and feel better but their chances of being adopted will be greater.
Use your special skills- The shelter may need help with computers, book keeping, or building a better shelter. Get creative about the ways which you use your skills to help.
The shelter can be an extremely stressful atmosphere for a dog or cat, go and keep a furry friend company for a day
Adopt a homeless pet and take it home with you, making sure you are prepared to keep him or her as your companion for the rest of their life.
It does not matter how you donate. The important thing is that you do what you can to help animals and their caregivers. Each and ever dollar counts in the war against pet homelessness and pet overpopulation.
Thank you what what you ARE doing. Together we can all make a difference.
Tonight our community is having a holiday tree lighting ceremony and downtown stroll. I’m bringing my dog with me.
Then our neighbors are having get together after the performance of the Nutcracker their daughter is performing in. That’s tomorrow and the dog gets to make a brief appearance there.
And then there’s a casual get together for our vendors and some clients of VetLocator.com and of course we’re all about pets so the office cats make an appearance there. The rest of our month is pretty full of such gatherings and events.
And we’re not even leaving town.
I’ll bet you’re experiencing something similar too. Its as if with the economy and the other stresses of life, there’s a need to remind us what is real and what matters.
Family, pets, friends, business and community are real. They are what matters (and I personally have a much longer list of what matters most to me) and it is a good time to focus on what matters.
So for this holiday season I am focusing on what matters as much as I can. So I’m sharing time and having my pets accompany me when it makes sense and I can safely include them in my activities.
In the event that you and your pets are able to accept holiday invites together too I thought I’d share some petiquette tips you might find handy.
1. The very first thing you’ll want to do is to make sure it’s ok with your host that you bring your pet with you.
2. Next make sure he/she has a collar with an ID and that the ID has correct information on it. These days it’s an excellent idea to use a cell number rather than a home phone number since your cell phone is usually with you and you can be reached quickly in an emergency.
3. Put your vet’s phone number and an emergency vet hospital number into your cell phone to have it handy in the event you need it.
4. Try to find out who’ll be at the party in case you need to make plan changes (for example people with babies, small kids or other pets can change things, including whether you should bring your pet with you).
5. Bring along pet essentials like food and water bowls, a leash, handi wipes and cleaning stuff and pet waste bags.
6. I like to bring some special treats with me. Folks like to feed my dog, so I give them some of his healthy treats to make sure he’s not getting junk.
7. Pets can make a mess sometimes so I keep a couple of baggies handy for the expected and unexpected messes and also have a lint roller in my pet kit because my dog has been known to shed.
8. It’s not a bad idea to have a crate handy so your pet can be safely secure if things get crazy.
9. If you notice your pet becoming tired or agitated, secure him in a closed room or his crate if you aren’t able to take him home.
10. Don’t let pets wander around cooking food. Not only can it be a problem for the cook, but your pet might accidentally eat something thats not good for him.
11. Always be aware of where your pet is during any event. Pets can become nervous and bolt in unfamiliar surroundings. Also, like children, there are times when they’ve had enough and it’s time to go home.
Now for some personal peeves I’ve experienced attending events where certain pets should not be. I’m titling this short list ****If your dog has any of the following problems, please leave him/her at home.
1. Incessantly barks at other people, dogs, birds, cats, etc. A barking dog that won’t quiet is distracting and the owners that won’t remove the dog are just plain rude.
2. An aggressive animal. If you know your dog – or cat – is aggressive, LEAVE THEM AT HOME. Period.
3. Your pet is ill or has not been feeling well. Besides the obvious point of an ill pet might be a contagious pet, outings can be stressful and can make your pet’s health worse. Leave an ill pet at home with a sitter and not in a kennel.
4. The event will have people who are fearful or allergic to pets – See #1 above.
5. Your pet is having a bad day – everyone does and our pets are no exception. If you see that your pet is having a bad day, give him/her a break and let them stay home.
If you decide to leave your pet at home while you attend a party or other event, consider the best options for him while you’re gone.
If he’s not used to being home alone, you should leave for short periods of time to prepare him/her to being by themselves.
If you’ll be gone for any length of time you may want to consider keeping your pet at a kennel. This is a good option for social animals that don’t stress about being away from home.
Additionally, for animals that are going to a kennel and may not be used to small spaces, consider getting a crate ahead of time to prepare the pet.
Arrange play dates for pets who might not be used to having other animals around. Send along an item that smells like home for a pet’s stay at the kennel.
Kennel spots should be reserved early for the holidays. If you’ve not used a particular kennel before, check into their safety measures, such as video surveillance, fire alarms and sprinkler systems.
Make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccines, and find out if any others are required for their kennel stay as most kennels will request proof before allowing your pet to stay.
Pet sitters are a good option for animals that do better at home or if you have several pets that you’ll be leaving. If you decide to hire a pet sitter, here are a few tips:
Ask for references, find out what services the sitter provides and do your standard due dilligence before hiring.
Prepare an emergency card with all of the information the sitter might need including Vet, Emergency Vet, your contact info and a close neighbors contact info, medications your pet needs along with their dosages.
Don’t wait till the last minute to introduce your pet to the sitter. Pet sitters should meet the pet ahead of time and be introduced to see if there are any personality issues between pet and sitter.
Then, while you are away, make sure to check in with the sitter during a time you know he/she will be there and let your pet hear your voice.
And with all this advice, here is one more for you.
Have a wonderful, happy holiday season that is shared it with family pets and great friends!
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As I sit here writing this article, my ear is attuned to a certain sound that, when I hear it, always causes me to drop what I’m doing and go do something else.
There are many ways that you can take to help the increasing number of homeless and hungry pets in your community. Here are a list of 15 of those ways you can help and you can probably think of others too.
Tonight our community is having a holiday tree lighting ceremony and downtown stroll. I’m bringing my dog with me.