A Bad Pickup – You may be tempted to let your pet enjoy the open-air
freedom of the back of your pickup truck the next time you two head down to the
beach, but it is extremely dangerous (and often illegal). Sudden stops or loose
debris can injure your pet, or he may jump out when you stop at a red light. Riding
in the cab is a much safer place for your pet to be, especially when he's secured
by a
pet-safe seatbelt.
The Buzz on Mosquitoes – Planning a hike? Make sure both you and your
pet are prepared for bloodsuckers. Not only are they annoying, but they can carry
deadly diseases such as West Nile Virus and heartworm disease in dogs and cats.
Some cats are particularly affected by mosquito bites, a condition called Mosquito
Bite Hypersensitivity. Protect your pet from both heartworm disease and skeeters
with a product containing permethrins (for dogs only) or pyrethrins. Visit your
vet to determine a suitable mosquito-deterrent.
Blister in the Sun – Did you know your pet can get sunburned? Breeds
that have no pigment on their nose, such as Collies, white pets or pets with a thin
or light coat of hair, can easily get burnt by the summer sun. Invest in a pet-specific sunscreen, or fit your
dog with some breathable clothing to help protect their skin from harmful rays.
Vets for Pets
(June blogs to boost your pet
prowess!)
Garden of Eatin' – Summer gardens can provide a bounty of healthy fruits
and vegetables for your family - but may also pose a hidden risk for those family
members with four legs. Popular garden choices such as rhubarb, eggplant and onion
or the use of herbicides or pesticides can cause health problems for your pet should
he wander into your little patch of earth. To make sure your entire family enjoys
the fruits of your labor, check out our Top 10 Tips for Gardening with Dogs.
No Cats Go – Did you know that less than 2% of cats who wander from
home are returned to their owners? The big reason those 2% found their way home
was due to proper identification and the use of microchips. Microchips are an affordable,
painless, and subcutaneous (under the skin) identification tool no bigger than a
grain of rice. However, they may be the difference in getting kitty back from the
great outdoors. Make a break for our blog (before kitty does!) and
discover the importance of micro chipping your cat.
Don't Drink the Water – We tend to be especially careful when it comes
to drinking local water on trips, and the same rule should apply for our pets. Bring
enough bottled water to keep both you and your pet hydrated on long trips, since
relying on local tap water could cause upset stomachs or sickness.
Choo-Choose Wisely – While most national rail carriers don't allow
pets on trains, there are a few select railroads that do in California, Florida
and New Hampshire. The famous San Francisco cable cars, for example, allow you and
your dog to travel the city's hilly streets in style. To see the other pet friendly
train travel options, visit petsonthego.com.
Be More Direct – Flying with your pet? Try to book direct. Nobody likes
a layover or having to switch planes multiple times, especially your pet. Your pets
are already uncomfortable and stressed enough as it is. Help him out by booking
a direct flight to ensure his four paws are only in the air as long as they need
to be.
40 under 40 –
Petplan founders Chris and Natasha Ashton were recognized by the Philadelphia
business community earlier this month in the prestigious Philadelphia Business Journal's 40 under
40 Awards . Now in its 20th year, the highly sought-after awards recognize
the city's brightest young professionals. Huge congratulations go out to Chris and
Natasha!
Bigger is Better – Not only is the Petplan family of policyholders
and pets growing faster than you can say 'good dog', our team is growing by leaps
and bounds too!
Petplan recently expanded our Philadelphia Headquarters to include an additional
parcel of pet-friendly office space. Stay tuned for photos of the new office in
the late summer issue of fetch! magazine!
Takin' it to the Streets – The HSUS recently joined with the Animal
Rescue League of Iowa to unveil a new weapon in the fight against animal cruelty:
a rolling Animal Crimes Investigation Unit (ACIU). The ACIU contains the latest
forensic equipment (think CSI for pets) to help law enforcement at crime scenes
that involve animal fighting or abuse. The mobile lab features two fully-functioning
rooms for examining dogs and documenting their injuries, equipment for evidence
packaging, ultra-violet lights for spotting body fluids, entomology kits, a latent
print-lift kit and devices for identifying suspected blood. Learn more about the
ACIU and how the HSUS is working to protect animals from animal cruelty nationwide
here.
