|
|
|
Helpful Tips From the Humane Society and Product Suggestions To Protect Your Pet.
Visit the Humane Society Website on our Charity Page for more valuable tips and information.
Animal Angel: The HSUS recommends that you prepare an emergency animal kit for your vehicle. That way, whether an animal is on the side of the highway or on your front porch, you'll be prepared.
An emergency animal kit should include:
Animals and Allergies:
Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84 percent. – See our selection of special Grooming products
Protecting Your Pets in Emergencies:
It's crucial to make plans ahead of time to ensure your pets' safety in times of emergency," says Betsy McFarland, HSUS director of communications for the Companion Animals section. "Whether it's a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, you must have a plan in place. Pets depend on their caregivers to provide for their safety and well being. Putting a disaster plan into place is just part of being a good pet caregiver."
Pet’s Identity is crucial in reuniting a pet with its owner when lost. Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a chance your companion may slip out the door - an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your pet will be returned home safely. – See our Pet I.D. Tags.
Protect Your Pet from Winter’s Wows:
In many areas, winter is a season of bitter cold and numbing wetness. Help your pets remain happy and healthy during the colder months by following these simple guidelines.
- Don't leave dogs outdoors when the temperature drops. Most dogs, and all cats, are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise. Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young, or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.
- No matter what the temperature, windchill can threaten a pet's life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog is an outdoor dog, however, he/she must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic. See our Durable and Easy to assemble Dog House.
- Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal. See our selection of food and water bowls.
- Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car's hood to scare them away before starting your engine.
- The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth. See our ALL-SEASON Paw Protection Musher’s Secret.
- Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in small amounts, it will not hurt pets, wildlife, or your family.
Probably the best prescription for winter's woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. The happiest dogs are those who are taken out frequently for walks and exercise but kept inside the rest of the time. Dogs and cats are social animals who crave human companionship. Your animal companions deserve to live indoors with you and your family.
Finding a Lost Pet:
When your beloved dog or cat strays from home, it can be a traumatic experience for both of you. Here are some tips that we hope will help you find your pet.
- Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. File a lost pet report with every shelter within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible. To find your local shelter go to www.pets911.com or check your phone book. If there is no shelter in your community, contact the local police department. Provide these agencies with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen.
- Search the neighborhood. Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found.
- Advertise. Post notices at grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, online at www.pets911.com, and other locations. Also, place advertisements in newspapers and with radio stations. Include your pet's sex, age, weight, breed, color, and any special markings. When describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet to describe it.
- Be wary of pet-recovery scams. When talking to a stranger who claims to have found your pet, ask him to describe the pet thoroughly before you offer any information. If he does not include the identifying characteristic you left out of the advertisements, he may not really have your pet. Be particularly wary of people who insist that you give or wire them money for the return of your pet.
- Don't give up your search. Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.
- A pet—even an indoor pet—has a better chance of being returned if she always wears a collar and an ID tag with your name, address, and telephone number. Ask your local animal shelter or veterinarian if permanent methods of identification (such as microchips) are available in your area. See our selection of pet collars, I.D. tags and new tracking system.
|
|
|
|
|
