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Remember Your Pets This Holiday Season


Image by Sids1
Summer Holiday Travelling Tips

(Southern Hemisphere)

The Christmas holidays are upon us and this often means leaving our beloved pets behind in a kennel or cattery or in
the care of a pet feeder or neighbour.
If your pet is really part of the family, a growing range of accommodation facilities
permits you to take your pet with you.

Some tips for travelling with your pet by car:
It is safer for you and your pet if he or she is confined to a cage or crate while en-route. A boot separation device is
better for all concerned.
Make sure you secure carriers with a seat belt or bungee cord.
Do not allow dogs to hang out the window – it’s dangerous and may cause head, neck and eye injuries as well as
airborne infections.
For dogs, make pit stops at least every two hours for exercise.
Give only half normal food in the morning and feed the remainder when you reach your destination.
Carry fresh cold water and a drinking bowl.
Do not leave your pet in a hot vehicle. Remember, shade moves.
Keep your leash handy and use care when opening doors in heavy traffic areas.
Be aware of your dog’s behaviour when left alone – barking and whining cause stress both to the animal and passers by.
If the weather is warm use your vehicle’s air conditioning.
Always make sure that air is being circulated frequently.
Pack a sturdy leash and well fitted collar with identification tag carrying your phone number.
Pack waste removal bags and a litter tray and litter for cats.
Pack some of your pet’s bedding and favourite toys.
Pack a Pet First Aid kit, which you can purchase from your local vet. It should contain at least:
Tweezers for removing foreign objects from fur or paws,
Cotton swabs for cleaning wounds,
Antibacterial wash, Telfa pads, Wide crepe bandage, Gloves, Scissors, Vet clinic

Phone numbers for your regular vet and the nearest vet while on holiday.

Congratulations Winners of the Amazon CARES Contest!


Image by AmazonCARES
Thank you to the entrants of the photo contest "Pet’s Speak Out," benefiting Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety.

This short video features professionally judged winners and peopel’s choice winners!

We will be creating greeting cards and a 2010 calender with these top images and the fun stories that accompany them! Congratulations to:

Professionally Judged Photos:
Top Prize: Sleepy Sunday Splendor by WickedLady
Second Prize: Cozy by liamahal
Third Prize: Rocco’s Singing Carol’s by Julija Art Photographzzz
Honorable Mention: Karate’ by Emery_Way

People’s Choice Overall Winner
Sleepy Sunday Splendor by WickedLady

People’s Choice Photo Winners:
Top Prize: Something to Eat Perhaps? by Lover 1969
Second Prize: Sleepy Sunday Splendor by WickedLady
Third Prize: New Year’s Resolution by liamahal
Honorable Mention: T-Bone with his Rope by SoccerMut
Honorable Mention: Love by Foot AJ

People’s Choice Story Winners:
Top Prize: Listen by Foot AJ
Second Prize: After the Snow Crazy Chase by sutty jane

People’s Choice Resolution Winners:
Top Prize: Berryessa by liamahal
Second Prize: Chief the Rabbit by PookieisaTaurus

To see the Group Photo Pool Visit www.flickr.com/groups/petresolution/

Noah Update 3


Image by Bruce McKay~YSP
Noah’s wound was healing nicely until his drunk owner let him off let him off the lead before leg was totally healed. The idiot was on a weekend binge and then comes over and lets dog off. So much for pet care. It pisses me off but then felt better when Noah came back to my house and laid down and waited for food. So he is on lead again and owner got a lecture.

by Ozarks Red Cross

Cat lovers everywhere attest to the sheer joy that is brought to them by their beloved pets. Those who also want to experience such blissful companionship should, however, first learn how to responsibly raise these lovely creatures in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County. They should do their homework on proper cat pet care, including their veterinary needs and training needs.

All cats are naturally clean. They lick themselves and their kittens clean. When defecating outdoors, they cover their waste with dirt. A pet owner who intends to keep a cat indoors should, therefore, train the cat how to use a litter box. This should be done while the cat is still a kitten. It should be brought to the litter box a minimum of four to five times a day, based on the times when the kitten is expected to go. Lavish praise should be showered on the kitten whenever it successfully uses the litter box. To encourage compliance, the litter box should be placed away from busy areas and far from the feeding and drinking area. The litter box should then be emptied twice a day or more and thoroughly washed with soap and water once a week or more.

The cat should be brought to a veterinarian for its shots as soon as the pet owner receives it. The veterinarian will prescribe the necessary vaccines and their schedules. Strict compliance is necessary to protect the cat from rabies, feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, distemper and other deadly diseases.

If the cat has fleas, ticks or other parasites, the veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate repellants that are safe to use. The veterinarian should also be consulted on how to keep the cat and the home free from any future infestations. Commercial repellants should not be used indiscriminately because they can be toxic to the cat.

Unless the cat owner is a licensed professional breeder, the veterinarian should also be consulted on the proper time to schedule spaying or neutering for the cat. This is usually done between the ages of six to eight weeks. Spaying or neutering prevents the overpopulation of cats and is believed to prevent cancer. The pet owner will be taught proper home care after the procedure.

The new pet owner can make sure that all the health care needs of the cat are met properly by finding a reliable veterinarian working at a reputable full service animal hospital or veterinary clinic in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County and establishing a long term working relationship with them. If a large animal hospital is chosen, it will expectedly have complete facilities to treat various types of pets such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, fish and rabbits.

The ideal veterinary clinic should be able to offer not only routine check ups and medical consultations but also emergency services, medical diagnostics and laboratory analysis. This veterinary clinic should be able to do surgical procedures in case this becomes necessary, including laser surgery.

Aside from veterinary care, it would be good if the veterinary clinic also provides pet boarding. This way, both the cat and the pet owner will not feel anxious whenever the owner has to go out of town. Pet boarding in the same animal clinic will ensure that the cat is in familiar surroundings with familiar people who can give the best possible care.

With the proper information on cat pet care, veterinary care and training, any cat lover in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County can be ready to take on the responsibility of raising his or her very own cat.

Related Pet Care Articles

by Sirelroka

How Mold Affects Your Pets

Anyone can suffer from living with mold especially infants, senior citizens, persons with immune deficiencies and our beloved pets. Pets are especially susceptible to the harmful effects associated with mold because and their noses go where mold likes to grow and in many cases, their lungs are smaller.

Some examples of mold induced illness include sinusitis (sneezing, runny nose), dermatitis (itchy, scaly patches), otitis (ear infections), nervous conditions (increased anxiety, barking) and even pneumonia. Often, mold induced illnesses are mistreated for allergies; unfortunately, as long as the mold stays, the symptoms don’t go away.

Pet owners must caution that both indoor mold and outdoor mold can negatively affect your pet. If you take your pet, such as your cat or dog, outdoors, beware that mold spores are plentiful during late fall. Concentrations of decaying matter, such as fallen leaves, are a haven for mold growth. In most of Florida (considered a hot spot for mold growth and allergens), especially in the Tampa Bay, residents tend to experience a long fall season with the absence of a true winter. Thus, the possibility of your pup running into mold-infested decaying matter is quite high. In addition, lawns that are not mowed can be a great hiding spot for mold spores.

How can you protect your pet from mold while outdoors? First off, talk to a veterinarian about managing your pet’s allergies. Ensure that your pet is not suffering from any other allergen or issue (food allergies often cause symptoms similar to mold-induced illness). Next, limit exposure and keep your pet indoors if possible. If you have a dog and must venture outside, keep to mowed lawns and packed dirt for potty time. During a walk, keep your furry friend on the sidewalk if possible. Finally, upon returning from a walk, brush your dog and bathe often. Just as much as fleas love to hide in your puppy’s coat, so do mold spores and other outdoor allergens. A good rule of thumb is to brush the dog upon returning from a walk and bathe weekly. In addition to taking these extra precautions for your pet, in general, homeowners can create a less mold-friendly environment by cleaning up decaying leaves as soon as possible. As well, mow the lawn as necessary.

Pet owners must also take precautions indoors to help protect their pets. Mold and dust mites are two of the top indoor allergens that affect both pets and people alike. To help protect your pets from reactions to indoor mold, there are several things you can do. First off, wash all of your pets’ beds and bedding weekly in hot water. There are laundry additives you can use that kill dust mites in cold water as well. Make sure to completely dry the bedding before giving it back to your animal. If the pet bed cannot be washed, experts recommend that you throw away all stuffed dog beds after a year (i.e. foam). Use a HEPA filter to clean the air. Vacuum often and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter in it. Use a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth and dust mites. Bathe your pet regularly if possible. Some pets are not supposed to be bathed so check with your veterinarian. If you have a dog, for instance, there are several anti-allergy shampoos available. Experts recommend natural shampoos and conditioners because many ingredients in commercial products can actually stimulate an allergic reaction. Be aware of your pet’s food: t is best to dispose of your pet’s uneaten food daily, especially if it is fresh or wet. In the case of birds, remove uneaten bird food and fallen plant matter from the room or cage each day. Such items are prone to quickly grow mold. Finally, take notice of the pet-safe anti-dust mite treatments that are available. From furniture sprays to carpet powders, there are several effective allergy reducing treatments that you as a home owner can take to make your home a safer home for you and your pets.

Further to allergies, if your home has any black mold, it can prove to be fatal. The first case of toxic black mold in pets was documented in 2007 when two Florida cats died because of exposure to black mold. It was later learned that the home the cats had lived in had black mold growing in it due to unremediated water damage sustained in a hurricane a few years before. The bottom line to black mold is if your home or property has ever suffered severe water damage, contact a restoration company immediately. Furthermore, if your animal is suffering any symptoms of illness at all, make sure you speak to your vet about the possibility of mold in your home, especially if you live in a high-risk area like New Port Richey, Sarasota or Fort Walton Beach

If you find or suspect mold anywhere in your home, contact a mold remediation specialist immediately. An expert remediation company will inspect your home completely, test it for mold and finally, remediate it so it can be a mold-safe place for you, your family and your pets to thrive. For more information on how to protect your pets from mold, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc. or call 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT. Some of the areas we proudly service are Hillsborough county (Wesley Chapel, Town and Country, Brandon, Ruskin and more), Pinellas County (Oldsmar, Tarpon Springs, Largo, Pinellas Park and more), Pasco County (Trinity, Springhill, Zephyrhills and more), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria and more) and Okaloosa County (Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Shalimar and more).

by Ninithedreamer

You certainly want what is best for your pet, and in choosing pet medical insurance you should research pet insurance policies to determine what is covered and what isn’t. In this way, you can find the best comprehensive coverage available.

A few reasons why pet owners may want to take a closer look at pet insurance include:

• Peace of mind. Human nature being what it is we tend to avoid thinking of the worst case scenario involving our beloved pets as well as our loved ones. Pet insurance allows you to become proactive in your approach to protect your pets. By paying premiums, the worry that you will not be able to care for your pet in case of accident or illness can be dissipated.

• Avoiding the decision. Many of us defer buying insurance, especially pet insurance because it is viewed as a frivolous expense. However, unexpected veterinary costs can be far more expensive than pet insurance premiums. Life seems to throw us a curve when we least expect it, and not being prepared for any eventuality can be a costly error.

• Planning and financing your pet’s health. Pet insurance is an effective way to control and budget the cost of keeping your pet happy and healthy. Owning a pet is a major responsibility, and to this end pet owners should be able to feed and provide shelter for their pets as well as care for them in case of an emergency that may arise. Pet insurance enables pet parents to achieve ultimate care in an effective manner. The monthly premiums will come as no surprise, but you can be assured that the vet bills can.

• Protection from the unexpected. Choosing a pet takes thought and careful consideration. Many aspects of the type of pet chosen come into play. For example, the gender of the pet, the breed, how compatible the animal will be to their lifestyle, and how the pet will interact with children. However, many people neglect to consider the many costs associated with becoming a pet owner. Several breeds of dogs, for example, are more prone to certain illnesses than others. Ear infections and urinary infections are quite common in many domestic animals. In addition, pets tend to fight, swallow objects, and like humans; have unexpected emergencies.

Generally speaking, insurance protects the policyholder from needless expense and inconvenience. So too, pet insurance is no different. It also protects the pet owner, as well as the pet, from the hassles of unexpected occurrences.

Therefore, it seems only appropriate that you would want what is best for your pet, and in choosing pet insurance you should research pet insurance policies to determine what is covered and what isn’t. In this way, you can find the best comprehensive coverage available.

To find out more about pet medical insurance visit: http://www.insurance-rates.ca/pet-insurance-rates.html.