News & Articles
Keeping up with the latest in Wright pet care news as well as helpful hints for a happier pet.
Hurricane and Tornado Safety for Pets
June 8, 2011 | By Kristen Seymour
Our pets are an important part of the family, which means that just as you consider them in your plans for summer travel, you should also keep them in mind when considering safety strategies.
The recent tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and the coming of hurricane season are good reminders to develop a disaster plan ahead of time. Ideally, you have a pet-friendly evacuation plan already in place, but what if you're not evacuating? What if you're facing a hurricane that forces you indoors but isn't strong enough to make you pack up and leave? Or a tornado appears out of nowhere and all you can do is get yourself and your loved ones to a safe part of the house? There are several ways to keep your pets safe and a little less frightened during this stressful situation.
We spoke to Steve Dale, pet expert and certified cat and dog behaviorist, who tells us the first step is to contain your pets. Crate cats and small dogs -- by clicker training them to go into a crate or carrier ahead of time, you'll make this much easier in an emergency -- and get larger dogs on a leash. Make sure to give your pet access to water, especially if you've lost power and it's heating up. Putting a few ice cubes in the water dish is a great way to keep the water and, therefore, your pet, cool.
When conditions get really bad outside, get everyone -- including your pets -- to the safest part of the house. "[K]eep the pets as close by as possible. You're only human, and your heart may be beating a zillion times a minute, but remember, the calmer you are, the better you are able to rationally think, and the better you will able to keep your pets calm," Dale says. "Our animals do pick up on our emotions. If you have a pet who is prone to anxiety, you can try an herbal calmer," he adds, cautioning that this should only be done if A) you have time and B) you've previously used that product; don't experiment during an actual emergency!
Another issue pet owners face when trapped indoors for long periods of time is the potty -- if you've got a housebroken dog but you can't go outside, what do you do? Or, rather, what do you have them do? Dale recommends that owners create an indoor potty station. "Use newspaper, or if you have several paper bags you can lay them out, or any other substrate you can walk a dog on. Remember, your dog will be crossing her or his legs, not knowing it's OK to go indoors on this new substrate," he says.
It's up to you to convince a dog who's only relieved himself on grass or dirt that it's alright to use this new potty station. Pace back and forth over two or three feet of newspaper and encourage him -- even if he doesn't have a specific "Go potty" command, the encouragement can help.
Generally, cats can go many hours without using the litter box, and when it's a matter of safety, having an accident in the carrier is better than letting Kitty loose in a dangerous situation. If you can do it safely, Dale suggests taking the cat out of the carrier and placing him directly in a litter box in a room with a closed door. Kitty's instinct might be to run off and hide, Dale warns, so stand guard right next to the litter box and, when he's done, put him back in his carrier.
Press
Press Release #1:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Page 1 of 1
February 23, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mary Wright
Wright Pet Care
(850) 324-0196, (850) 932-3629
Wrightpetcare@gmail.com
www.Maryspetsitting.org
NEW BUSINESS: "WRIGHT PET CARE" BRINGS PEACE OF MIND TO PET OWNERS IN THE LOCAL AREA
Locally owned, Wright Pet Care was recently opened by Mary Wright, a previous ER Veterinary Technician. Wright Pet Care offers a full array of quality pet care services and provides an excellent alternative to boarding that brings pet owners peace of mind while away from their homes. Wright Pet Care is licensed, bonded and insured; check the website for additional information about Wright Pet Care at www.Maryspetsitting.org. They are recent members of the accredited Pet Sitters International (PSI). Wright Pet Care offers care for all types of pets including: in-home pet sitting, private dog walking, spa time, pet taxi service for veterinary services and pet supplies, and a recently added service of in there home pet boarding.
With in-home pet sitting, pet sitters visit the home daily and animals are able to keep their regular routines for meals, walks, medication and one-on-one care and attention. There are many advantages to hiring a pet sitter; "clients have reported that their pets experience less stress and adjust better to their absence when the pets remain in their normal environment" says Mary, owner of Wright Pet Care.
Wright Pet Care has been accepted for membership in Pet Sitters International (PSI), an organization of more than 7,900 independent professional pet sitting services throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1994, PSI is the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters.
Wright Pet Care has reinforced its dedication to offering professional, quality services and increasing their knowledge of the pet care industry, also with PSI accreditation. Mary Wright and Wright Pet Care are available for pet sitting in the Gulf Breeze, Midway, and Pensacola Areas. Call (850) 324-0196 or email Wrightpetcare@gmail.com, or visit the website at www.Maryspetsitting.org for an Appointment. For additional information about PSI, www.petsit.com.
Pensacola News Journal: From staff reports • April 2, 2009
Former vet tech opens pet boarding business
Wright Pet Care recently opened and is accepting new clients in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Midway.
Opened in December by former emergency room veterinary technician Mary Wright, the new business offers services such as in-home pet sitting, pet taxi service for veterinary visits and home pet boarding.
The owner said in-home pet sitting allows animals to keep their regular routines of meals, walks, medication, one-on-one care and attention.
Wright Pet Care is licensed, bonded and insured, and a member of Pet Sitters International.
Details: Call 324-0196 or visit www.maryspetsitting.org.
PET TIME By: Mary Wright
WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER?
The professional pet care industry is growing rapidly due to the advantages of using pet sitters, rather than traditional pet care options. Professional pet sitters offer an array of care for you and your pets' needs. Most pet sitters have experience with many different types of animals, not only dogs and cats, but exotics, fishes, horses and birds.
Local pet caregivers offer many services including: in-home pet sitting, in their home pet boarding, dog walking, visiting dog parks, pet taxi, bath time, and poop scooping. In-home pet sitting is
among the most popular service used by pet owners. The pet sitter will visit the home an average of thirty minutes while the owners are away on vacation, or long days away from the home. The in-home
visit typically includes potty break, walking, fresh food/ water, playtime, bringing in the mail/ newspaper, security checks, and much more. Pet care businesses generally ensure that the home and pet
needs are met, and this is arranged during a consultation visit prior to sitting.
There are many perks with using a pet care professional. Some valuable perks include familiar environments, normal routines, exercises, and personal diets. In traditional pet care kennels or hospitals, pets could be exposed to illnesses or diseases. Some pets may get stressed during travel or from the loudness of the kennels, these problems may be avoided by hiring a pet care professional. Most pet sitters are accredited or have extensive experience with pets. All pet sitters should be licensed, bonded, and insured for the safety of everyone. Best of all, pet sitters provide your pets with that extra one-on-one attention that all pets enjoy and deserve.
There are many great benefits for hiring a professional pet care provider. So when you make your travel plans or have those long days away from the home, consider hiring a pet sitter that best fits your style. There are many quality pet sitters, throughout the local area, accepting new clients.
Written By: Mary Wright
2009 Hungry Bowl Food Drive
The bowl is half full…
Over the holidays, PSI members joined together to make sure the food bowls of homeless pets did not go unfilled!
PSI’s first Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive raised thousands of pounds of pet food for shelters in members’ local communities throughout the U.S.
A total of 19,388.25 lbs of pet food was collected by PSI members!
PSI would like to extend a very special “thank you” to the following members:
- Mary Wright, Wright Pet Care
Island Times
Mary Wright of Wright’s Pet Sitting Service in Gulf Breeze championed
a pet food drive for the Pensacola Humane Society last month. Her
efforts netted a mountain of food.
Gulf Breeze Catholic Church DONATION- 2009
St Ann Catholic Parish, Gulf Breeze, FL
May 19, 2009
Dear Ms Wright,
On behalf of myself and the entire staff at St. Ann Discovery School, we want to say thank you for your generous donation to the Cinco-de-Mayo Teacher Appreciation dinner. As you know, our teachers are a huge asset to us and we value their dedication to the children. Due to your generosity, and the generosity of others in the area, the dinner was a huge success and raised more than $700 for the school. Again we appreciate all of your support.
Sincerely, Jean Jones, Director
Top 10 Reasons NOT To Travel with Your Pets
August 17, 2009
by Thom Somes, The Pet Safety Guy
Summer is here and what better way to spend your vacation than on the road with your pets? Think again. While you may enjoy seeing the sights, your pets are very sensitive to their environment and don’t understand the changes of traveling. Pets—especially cats—may not be able to handle the stress of habitat changes.
9If your pet is young, old, ill or not going to be an integral part of your vacation, you should definitely consider letting your pet stay home and guard the homestead. Pets do best staying on their own turf. Please consider the ten items below before you decide to take your pet on trip.
10. Accommodations - Read the fine print. Some hotels allow pets, but the disclaimer is the pet must not be left alone in the room. This can make going out for dinner or to a theme park with the kids impossible. Check in advance and don’t try and sneak them in. Remember, you are responsible for any damage your pet may cause. If your pet is going to be staying alone in the hotel room anyway, they might as well stay at home.
9. Plane Trips - Check well in advance for airline requirements and conditions for pets traveling with you. Pets will be required to have a travel crate and recent health certificate from your veterinarian. Be warned, some airlines will not accept pets as cargo at certain times of the year. Even with a reservation, airlines can refuse transporting your pet if conditions are not safe. Cargo holds are not heated, cooled or sound proof and can cause possible death, injury and stress on your pet. Beware of medicating your cat. High altitudes can have an amplifying effect on “kitty downers”. Unless you can guarantee conditions and book a direct flight, let your pet stay home and watch the Travel Channel.
8. Car Trips - Numerous dangers exist for your pets inside and outside your vehicle. The first one that comes to mind is the danger of heat stroke, but other dangers can include air bags, unrestrained pets becoming projectiles hurting themselves and potentially others, getting hit by a car and insects or debris flying into the eyes and ears of pets whose heads are hanging out the window. All pets should be crated or restrained in a harness while riding in a vehicle.
7. Identification - Trying to find your lost pet in a strange city will ruin your vacation. Pets lost away from their home are at greater risk because they truly are lost. Strange sights and sounds disorient your pet, causing it to act in ways that put it at greater risk of being killed, hurt or picked up by strangers.
6. Behavior - Well trained and socialized pets tend to stay out of harm’s way. But, the stresses of traveling can test even the best-trained and well socialized pet. Sometimes the best command you can give your pet is, STAY—at home!
5. Food & Water - Drinking local water while traveling and changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Unless you are prepared to travel with food and water, keep your pet home.
4. Dangers, Diseases & Illness - This ranges from allergies to ticks, depending on how you are traveling and the place to which you travel. Mosquitoes can carry heartworm, poison ivy on your pet’s coat can get onto you, skunks, snake bite, poisoning and giardia are just a few of the many hazards in store for the unprepared pet traveler.
3. Leashes & Laws - All states have laws regarding your pets and you are responsible for obeying all of them. Every state has “Leash Laws” that are ticketable offenses. Keep your pets on a leash and obey the law or keep them at home.
2. Emergencies & Veterinarians - Knowing pet first aid is important to your pet surviving a medical emergency. However, your pet could require hospitalization for a period longer than your planned stay. Trying to find an emergency animal facility while dealing with your hurt and injured pet is another way to ruin your vacation. Keep your pet safely at home.
1. You have a Pet Sitters International Member caring for your pet - Hire a professional pet sitter for immeasurable peace of mind while you are on vacation. PSI members can give your pets consistent, personal care and attention on a daily basis. They will even leave Animal Planet on the TV for them!
If you choose to travel with your pets, make a conscious effort to keep their best interests in mind. Follow all the DOs and DON’Ts and your pets can be excellent traveling companions.
If you leave your pets at home with a professional pet sitter, maybe you can come home from your vacation a day early to spend quality time with your pet. And remember to send your pet a postcard and bring home something for your pet sitter, too!
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