When we got our dog almost three years ago, we did everything a responsible pet owner should do. We had all of her vaccinations administered, we had her spayed, licensed and microchipped. But before I spent a single dime on any of those activities at the vet, I signed her up for Pet Insurance to help defray some of the costs.
Vaccinations and routine care are partially reimbursed, and the insurance also paid for more than half the cost of the spay surgery and a portion of the microchip expense as well. Our dog is healthy so I don't expect to be spending a lot on routine veterinary care, but should she become sick or injured, it gives me peace of mind to know that her pet insurance policy will help defray some of the expenses that can be incurred as a result of serious illness, disease, or injury. We consider our animals to be members of the family, and as such we want to keep them healthy for as long as we're able to do so.
We ended up signing up with VPI Pet Insurance, as it was recommended by our veterinarian, but pet insurance companies and the services and benefits they offer can vary; so like with other insurance policies that you carry, it pays to shop around for the best premiums based on the type of coverage you require for your particular breed and species of animal. What's best for one pet owner, may not necessarily be a good fit for another.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pet Tracking Becoming More Popular
More than 60,000 pets are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year. "Lost or stolen dogs could end up in the hands of dogfighters, or even Class B dealers, who sell dogs from random sources to research institutions for use in biomedical research, testing and education procedures. Beloved family pets can also become unfortunate victims of bunchers, who have been known to acquire dogs through lost, stray and "free to a good home" ads—even to take pets from their owners' backyards—and then sell them to Class B dealers. At Class B dog dealer facilities, there have been numerous documented cases of mistreatment, neglect, and other animal welfare violations. Of the dogs and cats stolen in the United States every year, only an estimated 10 percent ever find their homes again." - Source: The Humane Society of the United States, Sep 8, 2006 www.hsus.org
Sombering statistics aren't they? In an earlier post I briefly mentioned the usefulness of GPS Tracking Collars to help keep tabs on your pets. After doing more research I've learned that Tracking Collars are becoming increasingly popular among concerned pet owners. (They are particularly useful for dogs, although they do exist for other pets such as cats that are prone to wander the neighborhood) Dog owners who are outdoor enthusiasts and especially hunters have shown a keen interest in GPS tracking collars because their animals often accompany them on outings. In rugged terrain or heavily wooded areas, it can be easy for an animal to become disoriented or lost if they are allowed to run loose. The situation is further complicated if your dog is not well trained and spots wildlife and decides to chase after it!
Outfitting your beloved pet allows for you to be more proactive in the animal's safe recovery without having to rely upon someone else finding your animal. Even if your pet is wearing a collar with tags, that doesn't mean that the animal will approach a stranger or get close enough to allow them to read the information on the collar or tags. With a GPS Tracking Collar YOU will be able to pinpoint your pet's exact location and can get them back safe and sound.
Visit our store for a selection of Tracking Collars and other items that can help keep your pet safe.
Sombering statistics aren't they? In an earlier post I briefly mentioned the usefulness of GPS Tracking Collars to help keep tabs on your pets. After doing more research I've learned that Tracking Collars are becoming increasingly popular among concerned pet owners. (They are particularly useful for dogs, although they do exist for other pets such as cats that are prone to wander the neighborhood) Dog owners who are outdoor enthusiasts and especially hunters have shown a keen interest in GPS tracking collars because their animals often accompany them on outings. In rugged terrain or heavily wooded areas, it can be easy for an animal to become disoriented or lost if they are allowed to run loose. The situation is further complicated if your dog is not well trained and spots wildlife and decides to chase after it!
Outfitting your beloved pet allows for you to be more proactive in the animal's safe recovery without having to rely upon someone else finding your animal. Even if your pet is wearing a collar with tags, that doesn't mean that the animal will approach a stranger or get close enough to allow them to read the information on the collar or tags. With a GPS Tracking Collar YOU will be able to pinpoint your pet's exact location and can get them back safe and sound.
Visit our store for a selection of Tracking Collars and other items that can help keep your pet safe.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Keep Pets Safe at Night with Reflective Collars and Blinkers
Every halloween most of us arm our kids with reflective safety gear, and chem lights or flashlights so motorists can see the little ghouls and goblins at night as they haunt the neighborhood. We may even regularly see bicyclists and joggers/runners with blinkers and reflective gear on too. Obviously the flashing lights and reflective gear work, or we wouldn't spot them and might run over them right? So if we protect our kids, it stands to reason we should protect our pets too.
Now that the weather is warming up we plan to take evening walks with our dog and in addition to having visible clothing on ourselves, I plan to purchase a reflective collar or dog body harness and/or a clip on pet blinker onto her collar so that she is just as visible as we are. If she gets off the leash, (which is unlikely, but has happened in the past) she'll be more visible to cars. Because our dog is black in color, she would be almost impossible to spot before it was too late. With a reflective harness and blinker, she'll at least be visible at a distance.
Visit our Amazon Store for a full selection of pet safety gear, including reflective collars, harnesses and pet blinkers.
Now that the weather is warming up we plan to take evening walks with our dog and in addition to having visible clothing on ourselves, I plan to purchase a reflective collar or dog body harness and/or a clip on pet blinker onto her collar so that she is just as visible as we are. If she gets off the leash, (which is unlikely, but has happened in the past) she'll be more visible to cars. Because our dog is black in color, she would be almost impossible to spot before it was too late. With a reflective harness and blinker, she'll at least be visible at a distance.
Visit our Amazon Store for a full selection of pet safety gear, including reflective collars, harnesses and pet blinkers.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Buckle Up: Secure Your Pets
Most of us ensure our children are safely buckled into seat belts or secured in booster or child safety seats -- but how many of you take the same level of care for your pets when getting into the car? Typically we just open the door, let them hop in and we're on our way. I never really gave much thought to securing our dog in the car, but after reading and doing some research I'm about to rethink the idea.
Secure Your Dog With a Safety Harness
There are several types of dog safety harnesses that allow you to safely secure your animal in your vehicle. This not only keeps them in place and stop them from wandering about the vehicle while it is moving, but it can prevent your pet from becoming a live projectile in the event of an emergency stop (or collision), much like a seatbelt keeps your children sefely secured.
Keep in mind that when you are traveling at 45-50MPH with an unsecured 10-80lb dog and stop suddenly, that animal will still be moving at that same 45-50MPH when it flies forward in the passenger compartment, (possibly striking you or a front seat passenger) as it then proceeds through the front windshield. Talk about an unpleasant thought! In the event of an actual collision, the end results may be even worse. For that reason, I'm shopping for the proper sized harness and will keep one in both vehicles. I may even get one for my other family members who also take their dog with them whenever they can. You already treat your dog like a member of the family -- Don't they deserve the same level of protection when they're in the car? Secure your pets.
Please visit our store for a wide selection of safety harnesses along with other items to monitor and keep your pet safe.
Secure Your Dog With a Safety Harness
There are several types of dog safety harnesses that allow you to safely secure your animal in your vehicle. This not only keeps them in place and stop them from wandering about the vehicle while it is moving, but it can prevent your pet from becoming a live projectile in the event of an emergency stop (or collision), much like a seatbelt keeps your children sefely secured.
Keep in mind that when you are traveling at 45-50MPH with an unsecured 10-80lb dog and stop suddenly, that animal will still be moving at that same 45-50MPH when it flies forward in the passenger compartment, (possibly striking you or a front seat passenger) as it then proceeds through the front windshield. Talk about an unpleasant thought! In the event of an actual collision, the end results may be even worse. For that reason, I'm shopping for the proper sized harness and will keep one in both vehicles. I may even get one for my other family members who also take their dog with them whenever they can. You already treat your dog like a member of the family -- Don't they deserve the same level of protection when they're in the car? Secure your pets.
Please visit our store for a wide selection of safety harnesses along with other items to monitor and keep your pet safe.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Pet Sitters vs. Kennels vs. Pet Hotels
Every pet owner dreads having to make arrangements for their pets when they want to go out of town or have to travel on business. Either you have to burden a friend or relative with caring for your pets by having them host the animal at their place or ask them to come over to feed the pets and check on things or you have to find a kennel that you can trust that will care for your pet in your absence.
There's a growing niche market for pet care whether it's for a few hours a day, overnight, a week or a month, pet owners now have several options to choose from.
Doggy Day Care
Doggy Day Care Centers with cutesy names like "Central Bark", "Happy Tails", and "Wagin' Tails" are popping up all over the place. While offering conventional kennel services, doggy day care centers are focused on providing a place to drop of your dog for the day, much like you would drop off a child. They are kept in a safe environment and given walks, allowed to play with other animals while you are at work or school
Kennels
The age-old kennels are intended for long term dog care. Your animal is typically kept in an indoor/outdoor pen and is only given periodic walks. Some of them are not manned around the clock. Meaning the animals are alone overnight. I've read some really bad horror stories where kennel employees mistreated animals in their care, and I no longer will take my dog to a kennel.
Pet Sitters
Pet sitters are a great option because they care for the animal in your own home. Of course this means you must trust a stranger with keys to your house, and many people are not comfortable with the idea, even though most sitters are bonded and insured.
Pet Hotels
Pet Hotels such as PetSmart's PetsHotel offer the best alternative for folks like me. I don't feel comfortable with using a Pet Sitter because I like to ensure my home is secured and don't want them to leave a door unlocked, forget to set the alarm, etc. The Pets Hotel is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a veterinarian is on call around the clock. The animals are kept in comfortable kennels with elevated and cushioned pet beds. There are options to provide treats to the animals as well as provide supervised play time with other animals. You can even call and "speak" to your pet over the phone if you wish in some instances! Our dog is very social and loves going there because she can play with other and she's happy there. I think it's the extra attention that the animals receive that makes a big difference.
There's a growing niche market for pet care whether it's for a few hours a day, overnight, a week or a month, pet owners now have several options to choose from.
Doggy Day Care
Doggy Day Care Centers with cutesy names like "Central Bark", "Happy Tails", and "Wagin' Tails" are popping up all over the place. While offering conventional kennel services, doggy day care centers are focused on providing a place to drop of your dog for the day, much like you would drop off a child. They are kept in a safe environment and given walks, allowed to play with other animals while you are at work or school
Kennels
The age-old kennels are intended for long term dog care. Your animal is typically kept in an indoor/outdoor pen and is only given periodic walks. Some of them are not manned around the clock. Meaning the animals are alone overnight. I've read some really bad horror stories where kennel employees mistreated animals in their care, and I no longer will take my dog to a kennel.
Pet Sitters
Pet sitters are a great option because they care for the animal in your own home. Of course this means you must trust a stranger with keys to your house, and many people are not comfortable with the idea, even though most sitters are bonded and insured.
Pet Hotels
Pet Hotels such as PetSmart's PetsHotel offer the best alternative for folks like me. I don't feel comfortable with using a Pet Sitter because I like to ensure my home is secured and don't want them to leave a door unlocked, forget to set the alarm, etc. The Pets Hotel is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a veterinarian is on call around the clock. The animals are kept in comfortable kennels with elevated and cushioned pet beds. There are options to provide treats to the animals as well as provide supervised play time with other animals. You can even call and "speak" to your pet over the phone if you wish in some instances! Our dog is very social and loves going there because she can play with other and she's happy there. I think it's the extra attention that the animals receive that makes a big difference.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Home Again Revisited
I mentioned the Home Again Microchip in an earlier post. As soon as our dog grew from a puppy into an adult dog and was old enough to be chipped, we took her to our vet and had a Home Again microchip injected when she was there for her shots. It's about the size of a grain of rice and the dog doesn't feel a thing since it's placed into the loose skin at the scruff of the neck. In addition to the chip, they also provide a collar tag with the chip ID number and Home Again's 24 Hour Toll Free number.
I decided to put their recovery program to the test. After registering her ID number via the Home Again Website I waited a few days and then made a call to the 800 number. Sure enough the number on the tag was enough data for the rep to recite back my name, address and telephone contact information! We already had an ID tag on her collar with a phone number, but it's nice to know that if she gets out of her collar and is picked up, the ID chip imbedded into the scruff of her neck will allow an animal shelter or vet to scan her and locate us so we can be reunited. It was relatively inexpensive insurance in the event she gets lost, and updating your contact information can be done easily via the internet.
I decided to put their recovery program to the test. After registering her ID number via the Home Again Website I waited a few days and then made a call to the 800 number. Sure enough the number on the tag was enough data for the rep to recite back my name, address and telephone contact information! We already had an ID tag on her collar with a phone number, but it's nice to know that if she gets out of her collar and is picked up, the ID chip imbedded into the scruff of her neck will allow an animal shelter or vet to scan her and locate us so we can be reunited. It was relatively inexpensive insurance in the event she gets lost, and updating your contact information can be done easily via the internet.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Pet Cams / Video Baby/Pet Monitors
Pet Cams are becoming a popular way to monitor your pets while you are away from home. Worried about Fido while you're at work or away for the day and want to see what he's up to while he's cooped up in the house or left running around in the yard? Install a pet cam or two and you'll be able to watch him remotely via the Internet. Many doggy day care centers have also installed pet cams in their facilities to allow pet owners to check in on their animals while they're at work or on vacation.
Have a sick pet or a dog about to have puppies or a cat about to have kittens? Consider purchasing (or renting) a video baby monitor and you'll be able to see and hear the expectant mother and her young from your bedside.
Check out our store for a complete selection of pet cams, baby monitors and surveillance cameras and equipment.
Have a sick pet or a dog about to have puppies or a cat about to have kittens? Consider purchasing (or renting) a video baby monitor and you'll be able to see and hear the expectant mother and her young from your bedside.
Check out our store for a complete selection of pet cams, baby monitors and surveillance cameras and equipment.
GPS Tracking Collars For Pets
I thought I'd seen everything until I came across GPS Pet Tracking Collars for pets. Products such as the Garmin Astro 220 Handheld GPS Dog Tracking device and other gps tracking collars offered by globalpetfinder.com, petsafegpslocator.com, and others look very promising if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors or is prone to wandering away from you or your property.
Visit our store for a selection of Tracking Collars and other items that can help keep your pet safe.
Visit our store for a selection of Tracking Collars and other items that can help keep your pet safe.
Amber Alert for Pets
Amber alert for pets (www.amberalertforpets.com)is much like the touted Amber Alert we all know of for missing children. It sends out a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) alert for folks who may have spotted or found your pet and is supported by a large network of volunteers who will aid in your pets recovery. It is one of the first places you should go when you lose your pet. The site allows you to post a photo and description of your missing four-legged friend along with a complete description and owner contact information. The success-rate has been pretty good and many pet-owners will swear by the site.
Another useful site for lost pets is your local craigslist site for your city or town. Craiglist is viewed by thousands of people on a daily basis and posting is FREE. Where else will you get that kind of circulation for a lost and found ad for nothing?
Another useful site for lost pets is your local craigslist site for your city or town. Craiglist is viewed by thousands of people on a daily basis and posting is FREE. Where else will you get that kind of circulation for a lost and found ad for nothing?
Microchip Your Pets
Whether you're a dog or cat owner, your pets are members of your family and you will do whatever it takes to protect them and care for them, right? We may buy quality pet food and treats, and ensure our pets get top-notch veterinary care by keeping their shots and vacinations up to date. But millions of pet owners fail to take the steps necessary to ensure our pets can find their way home if they are lost or stolen. Microchipping your pet via services such as HomeAgain can help ensure that a lost animal is returned to its rightful owner.
If your pet is picked up as a stray, animal shelters and vets across the country can simply scan your pet's neck with a harmless microchip reader to find out who the animal belongs to and where it belongs. Microchipping your pet is relatively inexpensive and can help ensure a happy reunion should your pet become lost.
For more information on HomeAgain, visit your veterinarian or go to www.homeagain.com
If your pet is picked up as a stray, animal shelters and vets across the country can simply scan your pet's neck with a harmless microchip reader to find out who the animal belongs to and where it belongs. Microchipping your pet is relatively inexpensive and can help ensure a happy reunion should your pet become lost.
For more information on HomeAgain, visit your veterinarian or go to www.homeagain.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
