Resolutions for You and Your Pet
The New Year is just around the corner and of course with the New Year comes resolutions. If you are a pet owner and you still have room for a few more resolutions, here are some suggestions that will hopefully bring a good year to both you and your pet.
- Have your pet spayed or neutered- Companion animal sterilization is the best way to combat the pet overpopulation problem. Not only does it help decrease the number of unwanted dogs and cats, but it is also a healthy choice for your pet. If your pet is already altered, tell your friends and family to have their pets sterilized.
- Exercise with your pet- Walk your dog or play with you cat. It is great for their health and for yours. And it is also a great stress reliever.
- Put a tag on your pet- Only about 1 percent of the animals arriving at the Lee County Humane Society have a valid identification tag. Make sure you have at least the state mandated rabies tag on your pet’s collar whether it is a cat or a dog. If you live in Auburn and own a dog you are required to have a city tag as well. Consider having your pet implanted with a microchip or tattooed by your veterinarian.
- Visit your veterinarian on a regular basis- You have to go at least once a year for your pet’s rabies vaccine, but if your pet is getting older you might want to consider going more frequently. Have you considered having dental cleaning done on your pet?
- Put your pet on a heartworm preventative- Heartworms are commonly found in dogs in the south and even in cats from time to time. There are several types of heartworm preventative and most are very easy to administer. Please consult your veterinarian about heartworms.
- Check your dog’s housing- If your dog is kept outside does he or she have a proper dog house? It must have at least three sides and a roof to keep out the elements. With the cold weather here you might want to consider buying a bale of hay to help keep your pet warm.
- Include your children in the process of caring for your pet- Start teaching your children the proper way to care for a companion animal at an early age. As you know, they learn by what we do!
- Learn how to crate train your dog- Crate training is a great way to house train a new puppy and even an adult dog. Done properly, your dog will want to go in to his or her crate to feel comfortable and safe. There are many web sites that offer great crate training tips.
- Adopt from the Lee County Humane Society- If you are ready for a new companion, make sure you visit the Lee County Humane Society. We have a variety of cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and even some rabbits and Guinea pigs. Make sure you are ready and then come visit us!
I hope 2010 will be a great year for you and your pet. You might want to consider adopting a few of these resolutions to help make your new year even better.
The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Bleach, dry dog food and cat litter please!
Jack Fisher
Board of Directors
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