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Issue 5
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece!"
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"Banzai is loving his new digs in a large new cage and seems better for the move. You guys did a great job, and the personal attention you paid to our chinchilla's needs was commendable. We will definitely recommend your services to friends moving pets and will be in touch again, should we need to move our furry family elsewhere in the future."
Gayle & Alex, Montreal, Canada
to
Mercer Island, Washington USA
If you're relocating,
be sure to touch base soon so we can help plan your pet's next move.
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WELCOME This summer is shaping up to be a blistering one . . . but one that beckons with the promise of quieter family moments and shared discovery. Many of us are migrating to new homes, jobs, and communities that await our exploration. Take a moment on your tablet or mobile phone to read this issue of Pet Pulse so that you can preserve a more tranquil summer, even if you're busy relocating. Ease the planning process with our summer travel reminders and ways to find pet-friendly lodging for that great getaway. Learn how to keep your canine cool and safe from heat-related illness. Read about a recent study that soothes concerns about infants and pets. Enjoy this wonderful time of year! |
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Summer Travel Reminders
You're moving and your pet will soon join you. It's unsettling to know that your pet will travel without you, and perhaps it's your pet's very first trip on a plane. We know how stressful and emotional this part of your relocation can be, whether your furry and feathery family members cross the mainland or cross continents. Here are a few reminders about pet travel during this peak period.
Get started early with your planning.
Contact us with your needs so we can get documents, flights and plans in motion immediately. Remember, summer is a high-traffic time for pets and people.
Let us know details about your pet.
Tell us your pet's breed, health, age, height, weight, disposition. Knowledge of all of these factors is essential in planning a safe trip.
Get your travel crate in advance of a move.
Pets travel comfortably in the cargo hold of airplanes. These cargo areas are temperature and pressure controlled, darkened, and reserved for animals only.Secure the crate a few weeks before your pet's move to acclimate him. This is an extremely helpful way to reduce stress. (see this issue for selecting a crate).
Check Communications.
Be sure your pet relocation counselor has up-to-the-moment contact information for you should any last minute travel matters arise and we need to reach you. And check your e-mails from us...we send postcards to update you on your pet's movements.
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Canine Heat Illness: 
Signs to Watch For and
How To Prevent It
In summer we're urged to check on the elderly and take refuge in a chilled building as soon as we feel wilted. Pets suffer from heat illness, too. Here are some of the signs to watch for and ways you can help prevent canine heat exhaustion and stroke.
Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as the dog's digestive system is affected. Skin can become red, and your dog may experience labored breathing.
Heat Stroke If left untreated, heat stroke is a very dangerous condition that can be fatal. Heat stroke impairs other bodily functions, especially a dog's neurological system. Some of the signs of heat stroke include: difficulty walking; lethargy; an unconscious state; faster heart beat; excessive drooling. During heat stroke, the dog's temperature can spike higher than 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid the types of places that can become extremely hot such as: parked car, greenhouse, sunroom, yard without shade, beach without shade, concrete or asphalt dog run without shade.
Give your pet:
- plenty of cool, fresh water (if on the go, pack a collapsible cup that fits in a purse or bag to refresh your dog)
- a shady spot under a tree if your pet is outdoors, as it may be cooler than the doghouse. (consider air conditioned dwellings for puppies, as well as older or infirmed dogs)
- limited exercise during the hottest times of day
- a trim (be sure to groom your dog to prevent heat from getting trapped in his coat)
- time to gradually acclimate to the outdoors if you have just moved to a warmer climate
- a break from doing errands with you if you have many to complete on a warm day
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 | | Luxury Abounds at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa |
Find Where Fido Is Welcome
Whether you're bound for the aromatic vineyards of Napa Valley or the ocean breezes of Cape Cod, finding the perfect pet-friendly lodgings can take some of the wind out of your sails. Make the search easier by logging onto www.petswelcome.com
This site identifies hotels, bed and breakfast inns, cabins and cottages that accommodate families with pets. The site also provides details on the types of pets permitted and any additional fees. Visitors can search by state, city, route or type of lodging in the United States.
A new section lists vacation destinations and rentals, ranging from the Grand Canyon to the Outer Banks. Whether your traveling companion is a reptile, bunny, or cocker spaniel, this site can help you find getaways that the entire family will enjoy.
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Pets-on-the-Move FAQs
Please share your questions with us.
How do I choose the right travel crate?
The crate must be large enough for your pet to turn around, stand, and rest in with paws extended, as well as secure enough to be accepted by an airline. Select a hard plastic crate with steel fasteners, but be aware that for certain breeds airlines may require a non-plastic, reinforced crate. The crate cannot have wheels, and the lock on the door should be a spring lock mechanism that cannot be opened easily. Ventillation on all sides of the crate may be required on international flights. Your pet relocation counselor can provide more information on crate selection, and even help you purchase a custom-built one if needed.
Try to get your travel crate a week to two weeks before your pet's move. Let your pet get accustomed to being in the container for varying times throughout the days prior to travel, starting with 15 minute intervals and increasing the time in the crate. Put a familiar article inside - a favorite toy or an article of clothing to calm your pet. An old tee shirt that you've slept in a few nights works well!
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REUNITED!
Angus Arrives Home
Adorable Angus left his home in Singapore to join his family in Jakarta, Indonesia. Here's what we heard from his owner when Angus arrived!
"As you can imagine, I was very concerned about having to move our dog, Angus, from one country to another. I felt much better about the whole process following a conversation with my pet relocation counselor. She put me in touch with a local expert, recommended a boarding facility and checked in with me on a regular basis before, during and even after our move. I felt that she was with me every step of the way and that she was genuinely concerned for Angus' welfare! She and her team did a great job. We were reunited with Angus yesterday and he is doing great."
S.M., Indonesia
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Latest Study:
Pets Help Babies
Researchers recently announced new findings that children who resided with pets in their first year of life had fewer incidences of illnesses than children without pets. The study, which appeared this month in the journal, Pediatrics, may comfort
parents with concerns about whether pets contribute to common childhood illnesses
in younger children.
The study tracked the health of 397 children in Finland between September 2002 and May 2005. Parents kept a log to document their child's health, including any runny noses, coughs and ear infections. According to the Los Angeles Times, the study suggests that exposing kids to the microbes and dirt in dogs and cats may help develop a child's immune system.
The Los Angeles Times turned to Dr. Danelle Fisher, Vice Chair of Pediatrics at St. John's Health Center in California, to explain,"It's more support in a growing body of evidence that exposure to pets early in life can stimulate the immune system to do a better job of fighting off infection."
She continued,"What I always tell parents is this: It's actually very helpful to have a cat or dog around because we tend to see less allergies. And now I can tell them we've even seen less chance of upper respiratory infection in the first year of life."
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