Hurricane Sandy, Make a Disaster Plan for Pets

Is your pet included in your natural disaster evacuation plan in the event of a flood, hurricane or fire? Whether or not you are prepared for a natural disaster will be the difference between life and death for your entire family, including your pet. Remember you are the key to your pets survival and they depend and trust you with their lives. Proper planning beforehand can help you remain calm & panic free in an otherwise stressful situation, ensure your pets safety & give you a piece of mind. Here a few natural disaster preparedness pet safety tips to keep your pet protected from the elements and out of harms way.

1. Proper ID & Tags . It is important that your pet wears tags at all times so your pet can be properly identified. Maintaining up-to-date identification information on collar tags is important. Also, pet implanted microchips are great in case your collar falls off and becomes lost. Proper means of identification can help pet owners reunite with pets much quicker when natural disasters cause them to be separated.
2. Pack Pet Medications. Have an adequate supply of medication the pet might be on.
As a side note: If your dog requires medication, make sure that you put that information on the dog's collar. You can write it in permanent marker on the inside of the collar to alert caregiver.
3. Buy a waterproof container. Use this container to keep pet records, current photo and description in a safe waterproof place. Again, this can be instrumental in helping to reunite with a lost pet.
4. Keep your pet healthy. Keep up to date with vaccinations and pet health visits to the veterinarian.
5. Put together a box of pet supplies. Store at least a 3-day supply of pet food, food and water bowls, cat litter and litter box, first aid kit, extra leashes and collars. Also, keep the waterproof container with important pet information next to or in this box. Keep this in an easy to get to place in your home.
6. Have on hand a proper-sized pet carrier. It will be easier to transport a pet during a natural disaster by keeping them contained in a pet carrier.
7. Design an emergency plan. It is important to have a plan of action, what you plan to do with your pet(s) during a possible natural disaster. Take time to think through all the possible scenarios like whether or not you will be able to board the pet or does the place you are planning to go to accept pets. Ask the veterinarian for suggestions.
8. Always try to bring pets along when evacuating. It is always in the best interest of the pet to stay with the owner, because a pet left behind has a better chance of becoming lost, hurt or worse. Definitely do not chain or cage a pet and leave them behind during a natural disaster. This will limit their ability to use their own natural instincts to stay safe.
9. Plan to leave and evacuate early. Waiting till the last minute will almost always make it impossible to bring a pet along.
10. Have a backup plan. In the event that a natural disaster strikes and you are not able to get home, ask a reliable neighbor to assist in evacuating the pet. Make sure this person has a spare key, knows the pet and is familiar with where the emergency pet supplies are stored.
11. Find a place of refuge that is pet-friendly Call up potential hotel & motels, places you may use as an evacuation safe place and see if they welcome pets ahead of time. For places that do not allow pets, find out if there is a local animal shelter in the area that can board the pet.
12. Place a sticker on the front door. The sticker should identify the presence of the pet that resides at the home. This will alert rescue people that there is a pet in need of rescue in the event that the pet had to be left behind.
13. Bring the pet indoors. When the natural disaster is eminent, do not leave the pet outside this will only increase their chances of being harmed.

Top 10 tips to keeping your dog safe this Halloween

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.
 
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
 
3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandanna.
 
7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
 
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
 
10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Happy Halloween!!  =)

 

 

All Pets Considered

All Pets Considered has a nice selection of pet supplies and gifts for pet lovers. Christmas will be here before you know it. I have taken the liberty of checking out All Pets Considered and it has great products for reasonable prices.  This company offers a wonderful selection most of which are available in a large variety of breed choices.  That's right, you don't have to love Shih Tzu's as I do. They recognize all breeds and do a geat job of celebrating the vast diversity in all dogs and cats.

What kinds of presents to do buy for your pets on holidays? It never fails, for me, I will always buy toys and treats! It always warms my heart when Madison opens her presents on Christmas morning. She goes nuts when she smells the treats I wrapped!

How to make New Years a happy time for your dog.

The HUGE end-of-year celebration is fast approaching! Did you know it is also one of the most prevalent times of year that result in missing pets, as many pets become frightened and dart out open doors. The onslaught of extra people in the house (or lack thereof, if you're away) can bring on anxiety, as can the noise that sometimes accompanies the festivities. Fireworks and, in some cases gunfire, are unfamiliar and frightening to pets of all species.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, and tips to help keep pets safe, sound and happy:

CLICK HERE to view the rest!

New Year, Inspire Your Dog!

The beginning of a New Year inspires us to improve ourselves as well as our pets and their relationship with us. If setting BIG training goals for your dog seems overwhelming, here are 10 small things you can do that will help!

To see all 10 tips CLICK HERE or go to http://all-things-shih-tzu.com/2011/12/new-year-inspire-your-dog/.

Shelters Overrun With Abandoned "Purse Dogs"

This topic is one that is near and dear to my heart.  Please read Shelters Overrun With Abandoned "Purse Dogs" on my new blog!! I would love to hear feedback as well!

A Likely Match!

Check out our post on a likely match by clicking here. This is the link to the new and improved blog! It's a work in progress, but it's getting there!!  =)