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Fall in Love With Pet Safety
| September 2011 |
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Greetings!
We hope everyone's had as great a summer as we have: a little sun, a little surf, a little earthquake, a little tropical storm ... wait a minute ... those last two items weren't on our bucket list!
Recent events have driven home the importance of being prepared for emergencies, and the fact that September is National Preparedness Month just reinforced that fact. We hope you'll find our article on emergency preparedness for pets useful and timely.
It's also with your pets' safety in mind that we've included an article on pet-friendly cleaning filled with safer steps to sanitation than your average can of Comet.
And as always we've included the popular Featured Pet section, and this month you get two-for one! Take a moment to meet two very special critters: Coco Pierre and Groucho Marx!
Helen Adler |
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September is National Preparedness Month
For many New Yorkers, our recent experiences with the earthquake and Irene drove home the importance of being prepared. And, for the animal lovers among us, that includes preparing for the safety of our furry friends.
It's simple to include your pets in your preparedness plan, so that when an emergency strikes you know exactly what to do.
While prepping your own go-bag, you should make one for your pets. Make sure your kit includes several days' worth of canned pet food and water rations. Also be sure to pack your pets' medication and important paperwork in a waterproof bag. A disposable tin roast pan works great for a quick-traveling litter box, and make sure you bring a plastic jug of litter. Learn more ...
Confirm your pets' collar or harness has tags with all their current information. Make sure you have leashes and harnesses for your dogs, and carriers for your cats and other small animals. An alternative to a traditional carrier is an EVACSAK, which allows for hands-free emergency transportation of small pets.
It's a good idea to microchip your pet so if they happen to accidentally slip the leash there's a better chance rescuers will be able to reunite you. Learn more ...
After large storms, be alert for downed wires when walking your dog. Accidental electrocution is a real danger. Learn more ...
For pet owners, a little extra planning is needed to when choosing an evacuation shelter. Be aware that some shelters do not accept pets, so make sure you have enough time to research and travel to a shelter that does. Veterinarians are good sources of information about places in your area, or see if you can stay in a pet-friendly hotel outside the danger zone.
Sometimes an emergency can strike quickly, when you're at work or out for the day. In cases like this, a rescue alert sticker from the ASPCA on your door can alert rescue personnel that there are animals in the apartment. It's also a good idea to designate a neighbor or friend to step in and care for your animal in case of an emergency.
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While the Owner's Away, the Cat Will Play ... with the drapes, and the houseplants ... and the dog will eat the furniture and your favorite shoes ... 
New Yorkers are notorious hard workers. While putting in long hours at work might be great for your career, it can stressful for your pets. Bored pets can be destructive, but there are ways to keep the boredom at bay, and to keep your best friend happy and healthy, and your apartment intact!
Exercise: Animals need plenty of exercise. For most dogs, a walk in the morning and a walk in the evening just isn't enough. Hire a dog walker to stop by and bring your best pal for a good walk at least once a day. For felines, a nice sturdy cat tree could be just the trick.
Toys: Make sure you have plenty of toys for your pet, and try changing it up every few days by rotating the toys so your pet has a constant variety of "new" toys to enjoy. For cats, consider a bird-feeder outside your window; they'll find hours of enjoyment watching their bird-TV. For dogs, try a fillable chew-toy. Kong makes a wide variety of treat-hiding toys that will keep your pooch engaged and entertained, trying to discover the secret to releasing the treats.
Friends: Animals are very social, yes, even cats. Consider getting Fluffy or Fido a friend. Almost all animals appreciate companionship, and because they can play together while you're away, they'll be happier and more content and will leave your shoes alone. Plus, when you finally return from that long day at the office you'll have twice the love waiting to greet you on your return.
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Pet Friendly Cleaning: Natural Alternatives Offer Safer Cleaning Solutions
It's a toxic world out there! If you're concerned about chemicals, or if you have a pet with allergies or sensitive skin, there are many ways to keep your place squeaky clean that won't harm your pet. Learn more ...  Scrubbing & Scouring: Baking Soda or borax, even plain table salt are all great alternatives for scouring cleansers. Baking soda has an added deodorizing benefit, and combined with white vinegar, can help clean out clogged drains. Disinfecting: Isopropyl alcohol is an excellent disinfectant. Dilute in water and use on counter-tops, sinks, tubs and tile floors. Be sure to allow area to dry fully before allowing your animal to come in contact with the surface. Steam cleaners are another popular, non-toxic options to clean and disinfect. Polishing & Brightening: A vinegar and water mixture is great for cutting grease and cleaning surfaces, including glass and mirrors. Cornstarch is extremely versatile, and when mixed with water makes a great silverware polish.
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Therapy Pets: Love and Companionship to Those Who Need it Most Dogs are social, loving creatures, and there's nothing sweeter than the love we get from our canine pals. It's good for body and the mind, which explains the success of therapy dogs in bringing sunshine to people who need it most.
Pet therapy has been around longer than you might imagine. In WWII a Yorkshire Terrier was rescued from the battlefield by a soldier named Corporal Wynne. He named her Smokey, and she became his constant companion through various campaigns.
She even accompanied him to the hospital when he got sick. The Commanding Officer of the hospital was Dr. Charles Mayo (of the Mayo Clinic) and he noticed with interest the effect Smokey had on the patients.
Today there are many organizations that sponsor pet therapy programs, providing training and making connections between loving volunteers and the people who need them
The New York ASPCA and Bide-a-Wee both offer training programs to interested individuals and their pets. And while dogs are still the most common therapy animals, any well-socialized pet is more than welcome to join the program.
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Have You Had a Great Experience With The Pet Maven? Share the Love! People who use The Pet Maven for grooming and cat sitting are a special breed indeed, and why shouldn't other discerning pet owners benefit from your knowledge? If you enjoy reading reviews about local businesses on Google Places, CitySearch, and Yelp, why not share the love and share your experiences with The Pet Maven? A quick trip to one of these sites is all it takes to make sure the word gets out about Your (and our) favorite in-home grooming and pet sitting service! |
Featured Dog: Coco Pierre - Owned by Phil and Lisa
Coco Pierre is a four year old miniature poodle that lives near Columbus Circle. Coco originally hails from the Midwest, in the Chicagoland area. He had a rough early start; as a puppy he had medical issues that left him slightly incontinent. Because of his condition, he was dropped off at the nearest Humane Society. Fortunately for Coco, a volunteer from the Illinois Doberman Rescue came to the Humane Society and decided to try and find him a home. When his current owners Phil and Lisa first came to meet him, Coco was happily running around with six Dobermans. That spirit still lives in Coco. He loves everyone and everything, and his owners feel truly blessed to have found him. In the picture Coco is showing off his latest Pet Maven hair cut and wearing his doggie diaper.
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Featured Cat: Groucho Marx - Owned by Laurie and Mac
Groucho Marx wears the tuxedo of his namesake, but otherwise is known for being a "big hunk o' lovin'." He was adopted Columbus Day weekend in 2009 from Bidawee, when Laurie and Mac were looking for a new cat that was comfortable with their then three-year-old daughter Rebecca. Groucho promptly came up and licked her on the face, showing off his sweet and affectionate nature. As you can see from the photo, they are true pals. Groucho was rescued from a hoarder, and was originally thought to be feral (see the clipped left ear), but is actually very social with people and seems to enjoy ruling the roost as the sole feline occupant. He's about four years old now, and enjoys chasing pipe cleaners and stealing a sip of milk from Rebecca's cup when he can. He deeply dislikes the vacuum cleaner and the cat carrier.
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