| These days there are too many ways to lose our | | | | a risk to your pet. Remember to look at things |
| pets. We have to worry about dog snatchers, | | | | around your yard from a pet's perspective. They are |
| hit-and-run drivers, another neighborhood dog, animal | | | | low to the ground, sniff for bugs, chew on rocks and |
| control, or the accidental swallowing of household | | | | dig in the dirt. When they do this, they are looking |
| items, like a needle. And while no one likes to think | | | | for stuff to keep themselves occupied with. Make |
| that we could ever lose our pets, there are a handful | | | | sure what they find is not a hazard to them. |
| of things we can do to help prevent some of these | | | | Pet Proof your house |
| from happening. | | | | This goes hand in hand with supervising your pets, |
| Take care of your pets | | | | but is quite commonly missed or done incorrectly We |
| By taking proper care of your pet you lesson the risk | | | | always assume that since the dog never jumps on |
| that anyone will have cause to take your pet from | | | | the counter when we are home that they will never |
| you. This means properly feeding, watering and | | | | do it when we are not. Well, you're wrong. If you |
| housing your pets. Do not have 10 dogs living in one | | | | have a dog that is large enough to reach stuff, then |
| dog house. Make sure their living area is clean and | | | | move that stuff, or risk losing it to the unsupervised |
| free of feces and filth. If you have too many pets | | | | curious dog. Pet proofing means eliminate all potential |
| to care for, cannot afford them, or don't want them, | | | | threats to your pet. Take away anything they can |
| then do them and yourself a favor and give them up | | | | chew or swallow, remove things they can knock |
| for adoption. Do not be the next person we watch | | | | over or break, and cover anything that has sharp |
| on Animal Planet being raided by the animal control | | | | edges. Take the same precautions with your pets as |
| officer. | | | | you would a newborn baby. |
| Train your pet | | | | Get pet insurance coverage |
| Training your pet to come when called on a reliable | | | | Many better insurance companies, and online |
| basis is a requirement for keeping your pets out of | | | | companies like VPI Pet Insurance, offer direct pet |
| trouble. This does not replace a leash law. If you are | | | | insurance to you. These insurance carriers will cover |
| going to walk your dog on busy streets, then use a | | | | your pet for a host of issues ranging from having |
| leash. Do not think that you dog could not ever | | | | your pet spayed or neutered to cancer treatments |
| disobey you. The desire to chase a rabbit might | | | | or surgeries. There is no way to know ahead of time |
| easily outweigh the desire to come to you. This | | | | if your pet will develop some medical issue that could |
| training will also help to prevent any unwanted | | | | cost you thousands of dollars. |
| problems with other people. In this day of "suing | | | | Because your pets can be lost in so many manners, |
| happiness", why risk fines or worse because your | | | | it is absolutely crucial that you take what steps you |
| dog jumped on someone. | | | | can to protect your pets. You are not trying to |
| Supervise your pets | | | | protect just from harm, but from other people, other |
| No matter how well trained your pet is, when they | | | | animals and the ever rising costs of pet care. You |
| are unsupervised they can and will get into things. | | | | want the best for your pet because they are a |
| They are curious natural explorers. They will find twig, | | | | member of the family. Do the best you can for your |
| sticks and anything that resembles one to chew on. | | | | loved ones, including your pets, and they should be |
| If you left your favorite tools outside, these become | | | | with you for many years to come. |