We know the health and safety of your pet(s) is important to you. You make sure they have their annual wellness exam, keep up-to-date on their vaccinations, and feed them a healthy diet. However, there’s much more we can do to protect and keep our furry friends safe and help them live longer and happier lives.
About National Animal Safety & Protection Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month was created to promote the safe practice of caring for the animals in our lives. In addition, it also helps raise awareness and offers the opportunity to share tips and tools so pet parents can be better prepared in the event of an emergency or illness.
Pet First Aid App
A great resource for pet owners is the American Red Cross “Pet First Aid” app for your smartphone or tablet. The app is free and it’s a handy resource that provides dog and cat owners with information like normal breathing and heart rates for pets and what to do in case of emergencies like burns, heat-related illnesses or poisoning. In addition, the app also offers fire safety tips, a pet-friendly hotel search tool, and links to the nearest AAHA-accredited emergency pet hospital including our 24/7 ER location in Dundee. It’s a great resource to have at your fingertips when you need information quickly and easily in the event of an emergency. You can click on the links to download the iPhone or Android app or text “GETPET” to 90999.
Other Ways to Participate
Some other ways you can participate in National Animal Safety & Protection Month include:
- Having regular veterinary exams and staying up-to-date on annual vaccinations and heartworm & flea/tick preventatives.
- Creating a pet preparedness kit and having an emergency plan in place in case of disasters.
- Making sure your pet is microchipped or, at the very least, wears a collar with an ID tag.
- Using safety restraint devices to secure your pet when traveling with them in the car.
- Doing a check of the house (both inside and out) to make sure your home is “pet-proofed”. It’s important to know which plants and other items are toxic to pets and removing them from your pet’s reach. In addition, make sure to look out for any potential choking hazards that may be lying around your house or yard.
- Knowing your pet’s “baseline”. Observe and get to know your pet’s normal behavior: their eating habits, urination and defecation frequency, energy level and personality. That way, you’ll know if your pet is acting “off” and to contact your veterinarian right away.