Typically at this time of year, we humans make our own New Year’s resolutions but I wanted to create a list for our furry friends. Feel free to add any!
1. Make sure we take care of our pets by taking them to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccinations. By taking preventative measures to ensure our pet’s health, we can guard against many diseases or be better able to treat them.
2. Spay and neuter your pet if you haven’t already done so. Spaying and neutering will help to ease the pet overpopulation crisis that exists in the US today. Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year because we fail to do this. As an added bonus, spaying and neutering has health benefits for your pet such as reducing certain types of cancer.
3. Spend time with your pet. Don’t adopt a pet and forget about him/her. Pets are social animals and need to bond with you. You can do this by playing, exercising them, taking them for walks or simply hanging out with them. This will create a more well-adjusted pet for you!
4. Don’t BUY a pet from a pet store. Remember, the majority of pet stores sell puppies or kittens from mills that breed millions of animals each year in the most horrid conditions.
5. Feed your pets nutritionally good food and don’t feed so many snacks. There are more obese animals today which can cause many health problems for your pet.
6. Keep an ID tag on your pet at all times in the event your pet should wander off. Over 90% of pets with ID’s on them are returned to their owners. You can also have your pet microchipped which is placed under your pet’s skin by a veterinarian. The microchip can be read by anyone with a scanner.
7. If you keep your dog outside, make sure he/she has plenty of food, water and shelter. Dogs need more of these things to protect them from the cold elements. What would be better is to train your dog to be an inside dog where he/she wouldn’t have to deal with the extreme cold or hot! Spend time with them. An outside pet can be very lonely- remember they need social interaction!
8. If you don’t have experience with exotic pets, don’t adopt or buy one to keep as a domestic pet. They need special care and have special needs.
9. If you see animal cruelty or abuse with any type of animal, contact your local animal shelter or police. We have to be their voices! Without us speaking up for them, they will continue to suffer. Don’t be afraid to make that call- you could be saving a life!
10. Keep your pet groomed by giving them baths when necessary. Keep hair free of mats. Get their toenails clipped and ears cleaned. This will make your pet happier!
11. Have some type of evacuation/escape plan in the event of a disaster such as a fire. This time of year in particular sees more fires. You can purchase stickers for your doors or windows to let fireman or police know that you have pets inside.
12. New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration and many places have fireworks which causes many pets to be scared. Keep your pet in a safe room in your home. Don’t allow them to be outside. Pets are known to run away from home during fireworks.
13. ADOPT your next pet from a shelter or animal rescue organization. Save a life and ADOPT. You’ll be glad you did! You will also be helping the pet overpopulation crisis. There are many wonderful pets waiting for homes!
14. Volunteer for an animal rescue organization or donate money. Many animal rescues receive no government money and rely solely on private donations.
15. Be a responsible owner by making a lifetime commitment to your pet and love your pet!
16. Keep on fighting for the animals and make it a better year for them in 2009!!
I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Safe New Year!! I am thankful for all of my readers and commenters. Many of you care so much about animals and it is always so good to hear about what you do considering there are so many terrible things that happen to animals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Be kind to your pets and others. I’ll leave you with this video I received from Deb from One by One Cat Rescue.