The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet and Why You Should Register The Chip
Looking to Adopt a Specific Breed: Try a Breed-Specific Rescue
Why It’s Not Safe to Walk Your Dog on Hot Pavement

The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet and Why You Should Register The Chip
Is your pet microchipped? A microchip can actually help reunite pets with their families in the event a pet gets lost.

The implantable computer chips “encode a unique identification number to help reunite you with your lost pet,” according to the article, “Microchipping 101: Why is it Important to Microchip My Pet?” at PetHealthNetwork. The tiny chips are about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your pet’s skin by way of a needle and syringe, and they can’t fall off as a collar can.

“They work by receiving a radio signal from a scanner and transmitting the encoded chip identification number back to the scanner,” the article said. “With the chip identification number in hand, the vital contact information is only a phone call away.”

It has been proved that lost pets with microchips are much more likely to be returned to their pet parents when found. Along with a collar and tag, it is extra security for your pet especially since pets can slip out of their collars leaving a microchip the way to identify the animal.

Countless dogs and cats are lost every year and owners feel the heartbreak of possibly never seeing their pet again, but microchips are often the answer. According to the article, “Why Microchip Your Pet?” at Petfinder.com, estimates by The American Humane Association show there are more than 10 million lost or stolen cats and dogs in the U.S.

“Only about 22 percent of lost dogs that entered the animal shelters were reunited with their families,” according to the Petfinder article. “However, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped dogs was over 52 percent (a 238 percent increase).”

After microchipping your pet, register your current information with the microchip company and update your information if you move or change your phone number.

Looking to Adopt a Specific Breed: Try a Breed-Specific Rescue
There are so many dogs needing homes. Many people want certain breeds and believe the only way to get one is through a breeder or a pet store.

To help curb the overpopulation of pets, you can actually adopt specific breeds through breed-specific rescues that often take in dogs relinquished at city shelters.

Along with mixed-breed dogs, shelters across the country also have purebred dogs of all shapes and sizes as well as puppies.

According to the article, “Adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group,” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.org), “6–8 million animals end up in shelters each year, half of which will probably not be adopted.”

Additionally, 25 percent of the pets that end up in those shelters are purebred. That’s when the breed-specific rescues step in to take adoptable dogs and puppies.

“There’s also an unfortunate misconception that a purebred dog you adopt might not be as close to breed standards as a dog from a breeder,” according to the article, “Why Breed Specific Rescues Matter,” at VetriScience. “In truth, many pups up for placement by breed-specific rescue groups are there because of lifestyle changes among their owners—or because a puppy mill has been shut down.”

There’s a wealth of knowledge from the people who run and volunteer at breed-specific rescues. Volunteers often know characteristics, health concerns specific to the breed, and know quirks as well.

“Like every reputable rescue organization, a breed-specific one will put the needs of the animal above your needs,” the VetriScience article stated. “Focused knowledge allows staff members to be highly discerning, so there may be a battery of questions before you and your home can be deemed forever-home worthy for a certain pet.”

Why It’s Not Safe to Walk Your Dog on Hot Pavement
There’s a reason you probably don’t walk barefoot on the pavement during the hot summer months. So, if you can’t touch the ground without it scorching your feet, you definitely don’t want your dog’s paws to touch it either. Ouch!

While the footpads of a dog’s paws are pretty tough, given that they walk on so many different surfaces, “a lot of human-made surfaces can burn your pooch’s paws, including concrete, metal, pavement, sidewalks and asphalt,” according to the article, “Beat the Heat: How to Protect Your Dog’s Paws” at PetSmart.com.

The article talks about certain symptoms that could mean your dog’s paws are burned. They include:

• Limping
• If your dog avoids walking
• Chewing or licking feet
• Your dog’s paw pads are darker than usual
• Damaged paw pads
• Paw pads that are red or have blisters

There is something called the “3-Second rule” when it comes to knowing whether the pavement is too hot for your dog, according to the article, “Is the Pavement Too Hot for Your Pup’s Paws? Here’s An Easy Way to Find Out!” at The Dogington Post.

It’s pretty simple and makes a lot of sense. “Before walking your dog, place the back of your hand on the ground and hold it there for 3-seconds,” The Dogington Post article said. “If the heat is unbearable, find another place to walk, outfit your pup with a pair of booties, or reschedule your walk for another time when the ground isn’t so hot.” Your dog and his paws will thank you.

The Challenges of Moving with Pets and How to Make It Work
The Benefits of Fostering a Pet In Need
What Are Community Cats and How Can You Help Them?

The Challenges of Moving with Pets and How to Make It Work
Moving is something many people dread. It’s kind of like taxes. But take moving and add in pets and it’s an entirely more stressful situation. There are challenges, but if you plan ahead you can actually make it less stressful.

Whether you’re moving to a new home or a different apartment or condo, there’s preparation before moving day, there’s moving day, and then settling into the new place.

When you bring home moving boxes, pets may have a strange reaction to something unfamiliar in their space. With all that’s going on, including packing, doors opening and closing, you want to ensure your pet is safe. “It’s much safer to keep your pet somewhere safe during this process—maybe in a closed-off room or maybe at a friend’s house or doggie daycare,” according to the article, “Moving With Pets: 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid” at Vetstreet.com. It’s also a good idea to keep pets safe and confined when you get to your new place.

Get your pet used to the crate or the car before moving day. By acclimating your pet to the crate, you’ll make moving day easier for everyone involved, according to the article, “Moving With Your Pet” at ASPCA.org.

Pet-proofing your new home is also important. This includes ensuring windows have screens, make sure electrical cords are safely tucked away, and remove poisonous plants and/or pest control poison traps, according to the ASPCA.

When you arrive you don’t want to overwhelm your pet, so take it slowly. “Start by allowing them to adjust to one room—their ‘home base’—which should include their favorite toys, treats, water and food bowls and litter box for cats,” the ASPCA.org said. Slowly introduce them to the other rooms.

Before you know it you and your pet will be right a home.

The Benefits of Fostering a Pet In Need
There are many shelters and rescues across the country. Many are overwhelmed with pets and don’t have the room to take in more. Fostering an animal is a great way to volunteer, and it helps a pet acclimate to a home while also allowing a shelter or rescue to take in other animals in need.

“Fostering a pet does not require that you have loads of free time or advanced dog training skills,” according to the article, “Top 10 reasons to foster a pet,” at Bestfriends.org. “In fact, most shelters offer foster opportunities that fit your schedule.”

Best Friends offers reasons to foster, including:

• The shelter can be stressful for animals and foster homes bring out the best in pets.
• From walks to the park or playing with a cat, fostering is a lot of fun for you and the pet.
• You might be able to find a potential adopter through a long walk in the park.
• While fostering you gather important information about the pet that you can disclose to potential adopters.
• “Fostering is a temporary commitment with permanent rewards,” according to the Bestfriends.org article.

When you foster, it can be for a short time or until the pet is adopted. There are other reasons why foster homes are needed. According to the article, “Why Foster A Dog and What Does It Involve?” at Petfinder.com. “A rescue group doesn’t have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs until suitable homes are found,” the article said.

Another reason has to do with puppies who need a safe place until they are ready to be adopted into a home.

No matter the reason why a pet needs a foster home, you’ll be doing something positive to help that pet find a forever home.

What Are Community Cats and How Can You Help Them?
If you have witnessed a large group of cats in your neighborhood, don’t be alarmed. They are most likely community cats—also known as feral cats. They are not socialized, not people-friendly, and live within their own colonies.

There are things you can do to help. “Community cats live outdoors,” according to the article, “How to Live With Cats in Your Neighborhood,” at Alley Cat Allies. “Like all animals, community cats settle where food and shelter are available, and they are naturally skilled at finding these on their own.”

According to the article, since they are unsocialized they cannot live inside with people so they are unadoptable. However, if brought to a shelter, they will most likely be euthanized. “Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the humane, effective, and mainstream approach to addressing community cat populations,” the article said.

“In a TNR program, community cats are humanely trapped, brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (the universal sign that a cat is part of a TNR program), and then returned to their outdoor homes,” according to Alley Cat Allies. TNR is effective and humane and a “collaborative way for communities to coexist with cats.”

Oftentimes community cats are cared for and fed by caring people in the neighborhood. The most important thing is to ensure that someone does TNR on the cats so that no more unwanted litters occur.

If you are not sure how to help the community cats in your neighborhood or want to ensure the cats get TNR, there may be local help. “If you’re really lucky, there is an organization or agency in your area that can help you TNR the feral cats you’re feeding,” according to the article, “How individuals can help community cats,” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.org).

New Puppy or Kitten? Tips to Raise Them Right
Pet Health Insurance: Do You Need It and Is it Worth It?
The Benefits of Giving Your Cat Catnip

New Puppy or Kitten? Tips to Raise Them Right
Spring is a perfect time to adopt and bring home a puppy or kitten. But with puppies and kittens come some challenges, and you have new responsibilities to raise your puppy or kitten right.

According to the article, “Tips for Adopting a New Puppy or Kitten” at Friendship Hospital for Animals, there are three things to keep him mind:

1. Make an appointment with your vet for an initial checkup and bring any paperwork that you received upon adoption. Discuss the vaccines your pet received and plan a schedule for remaining ones. “In addition, a poo sample is helpful so your veterinarian can make sure your new buddy didn’t bring home any unwanted friends (internal parasites) with him,” the article said. Ensure you get your pet started on preventatives, e.g. heartworm, etc.
2. Try enrolling your puppy in basic training classes and start socializing him.
3. Ensure your puppy or kitten is spayed or neutered.

You’ll want to puppy-proof your home. “Remove anything he might be tempted to chew or swallow, and close off vents, pet doors or any other openings that might allow him to become lost or stuck,” according to the article, “Raising a Puppy: What You Need to Know” at Hillspet.com. Buy supplies including food, collar and ID, leash, dog bed, and bowls.

For kittens, it’s important they “feel comfortable with you as soon as possible,” according to the article, “Bringing Home Your New Kitten” at VCAHospitals.com. When you bring your kitten home, place him and his carrier in a room where it’s quiet and allow him to explore at his own pace.

There’s a lot involved when bringing home a new puppy or kitten, but do your research and some work, add a little patience, and an amazing friendship will bloom.

Pet Health Insurance: Do You Need It and Is it Worth It?
Pet insurance is becoming more popular and more companies are offering it. Is it a good idea? What does it cost and what does it cover?

The answers vary depending on many factors, including the company you choose, the type of pet, the breed, the age, and then the plan you choose.

Pets are living longer these days. “As veterinary medicine becomes more technologically advanced, the cost of care increases,” according to the article, “Do you need pet insurance?” at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Pet insurance can help with some of the costs when your pet is sick or has an injury.

The AVMA first recommends speaking with your vet and doing research to find out if pet insurance is right for you and your pet.

According to the AVMA, consider the following:

• Insurance plans should include the details and limitations and exclusions for routine and emergency care and if your premiums will increase as your pet ages.
• Ask about additional options including dental.
• Ask about pre-existing conditions and if they are covered.
• Is there a breed restriction?
• Find out about co-pays, deductibles, and other fees.

Do your research about monthly premiums and deductibles as well as the reimbursement plan.

“When you compare pet insurance plans, you should also remember to check out the exclusions in each covered category,” according to the article, “Getting Pet Insurance: What You Need to Know,” at be.chewy.com. “For instance, if a plan covers alternative therapies, it might not cover certain treatments like physical therapy or acupuncture.”

The be.chewy.com article suggested finding out what’s covered, including:

• Vet exams
• Hereditary conditions
• Surgery
• Emergency care
• Cancer treatments

Along with your research, speak to others who have pet insurance, and ask lots of questions before you decide what’s best for you and your pet.

The Benefits of Giving Your Cat Catnip
Catnip. It’s what most felines go wild about. So, what is catnip and what are the benefits for your cat?

A member of the mint family, catnip is from Europe and Asia. Nepeta cataria is its actual name and has also been called catmint or catwort, according to the article, “Truth About Catnip” at Fetch by WebMD. From lions and tigers to house cats, most felines love catnip.

“Catnip’s allure is in its volatile oil, specifically one chemical in that oil — nepetalactone,” according to the Fetch by WebMD article. “Found in catnip’s leaves, stems, and seeds, it only takes one or two sniffs of that wondrous oil before susceptible felines are licking, chewing, and rolling head-over-tail in kitty bliss.”

It typically only lasts 10 minutes and makes some cats calm while others aggressively playful. When the feeling subsides cats won’t respond to it again for about two hours.

“Because cats do respond to catnip again and again, the herb can be a powerful training aid,” the article said. It can be used to deter cats from clawing on furniture or to create catnip toys for enrichment purposes.

Catnip works best on cats 6 months and older and is safe to ingest but not in large amounts because digestive issues can occur, according to the article, “What Does Catnip Do to Cats?” at PetMD.com. “Use just a little at a time, and you can always discuss the correct amount for your cat with your veterinarian.”

Store catnip in a container that is airtight as it can lose its effectiveness. According to the PetMD article, it comes in a variety of forms including:
• Fresh catnip
• Dry catnip
• Sprays or bubbles
• Stuffed toys with dried catnip

Determine which type of catnip is best for your feline and ensure a happy cat.