Holiday gift ideas for furry friends
Are you the type of person who buys presents for your pets? Are they included in your family gift exchange? Do friends and family bring them a little something too when you get together for the holidays? You are not alone! Americans spent close to $58 billion on their pets last year, and at least some of that was on presents and gifts.
What would be the perfect gift for your pet this year? We have a couple of suggestions and some won’t cost you a thing! Show your pet you truly love him by having him microchipped and tagged so that he has a chance of being returned to you if he ever became lost. I compare a collar (with an ID tag) to wearing a seatbelt – it’s your first line of defense if in an accident. We know that seatbelts save lives and so do ID tags. It gives a Good Samaritan who finds your pet a simple way to return her to you.
The microchip is compared to airbags – a back up safety system that is only utilized if necessary. Since a chip is invisible to the eye, the animal must be brought into a vet clinic that has a scanner or an animal shelter. We encourage anyone that calls about finding a pet to bring them by so we can scan the animal for a chip. Assuming the microchip is registered and the information is current, it easily allows us to notify the owner that their pet is at the shelter. It’s like magic! Wave the scanner over the animal and “beep” we have access to name, address, phone number and any other contact information that you choose to share. That beep is the sound of a lost pet going home and it’s music to our ears.
Know what’s the best part of getting a personalized ID tag and microchip? If you are a current Rohnert Park or Cotati resident, it’s FREE! Just bring your pet to the shelter during our normal business hours (Wed 1-6:30; Thur-Fri-Sat 1-5:30; and Sun 1-4:30) and we can quickly and painlessly pop one into your dog or cat. No appointment is necessary for this procedure – just be sure to bring your ID and the contact information for an alternate person to put in the database.
Is your pet fixed? It can greatly increase their lifespan and keep them healthier. By removing the uterus and ovaries or testicles you eliminate the risk of cancers in those areas. By lowering their hormone levels, pets are less likely to go looking for girlfriends and getting into fights (reducing abscesses and other injuries). We offer FREE cat spays/neuters and low-cost dog altering to our residents. Call 588-3531and leave a message for an appointment.
Here are a couple other ideas that have your pet’s welfare in mind. Have a small dog or a senior animal that’s finding it harder to get up onto your bed or the couch? Time for a pet step! Having a way for your pet to safely get up and down reduces the likelihood of expensive leg or back injuries like cruciate tears. Want to let your cat experience the outdoors, but in a safe, protected way? Get (or build, if you’re handy) a cat enclosure. You can put it against your house and give your cat access through a window. Sleep better at night knowing that your cat cannot become lost, hit by a car, or attacked by another animal. You can see one that was donated by C & D Pet Products (cdpets.com – they also sell pet steps) set up at the shelter. A great product and they donate part of the sales back to the shelter!
Make this a truly happy holiday by including your pets in the festivities. Show them that they are part of the family by making sure they are fixed, chipped and tagged. And keep your outdoor loving kitty safe in a cat enclosure kit. That’s the best way to show you care.