Halloween Safety Tips and Costume Advice for Dogs and Cats in Virginia Beach and Norfolk

I recently asked my neighbors on NextDoor.com what they do to keep their pets safe on Halloween.

There were many great responses!  People realized the importance of keeping the candy out of reach and closing anxious dogs and cats in a bedroom, or crate, to prevent their possible escape.

Here are some helpful links on keeping your pet Safe on Halloween:

Victoria Stilwell has Ten Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

ASPCA's Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

Drs. Foster and Smith's Cat Safety Tips for Halloween

Dogs Naturally Magazine has 6 Natural Tips for Dogs Suffering Halloween Stress


Do you put a costume on your pet for Halloween?

Read Through a Dog's Ear, Lisa Spector's blog on whether or not we should put costumes on our pets CLICK HERE

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween Everyone!!

Scared Dog On The 4th Of July - 4 Calming Resources-Virginia Beach & Norfolk

Every year my poor Lexus has to deal with my neighbors setting off fireworks before, during and after the 4th of July.  

In fact my neighbors will set off fireworks throughout the year for just about any reason.  

Lexus exhibits the classic behaviors associated with Anxiety and Fear.  Heavy panting, squeezing into small spaces, pacing, whimpering and shaking.  

She also acts this way during a thunderstorm.  I am lucky she isn't a runner!

I have read a lot about the many different ways to help Lexus stay calm during fireworks and thunderstorms.  Sometimes cuddling works, other times she just wants to hide along. 

I'd like to point out that it is OK to cuddle with your dog when she is scared!!  It is a myth that you will reinforce their fear.

Here are 4 of my favorite blogs/websites:  

Victoria Stillwell talks about noise desensitization in her Positively newsletter.

Lisa Spector provides 7 tips For Calming Your Dog.  Lisa has a great website devoted to using music and sound therapy for easing anxiety in both dogs and cats.

Eileen Anderson has some great tips in her blog 6 Ways To Prepare Your Dog For Fireworks
Check out her website eileenanddogs

Dr. Karen Becker wrote an excellent article titled Top 10 July 4th Dos and Don'ts for Pet Owners

Planning on going out to celebrate for the 4th?  Why not hire us to stay with your fearful pup?
Happy At Home Professional Pet Care     www.happydogvb.com

Virginia Beach & Norfolk Emergency Preparedness For Pets & Printable Red Cross Safety Checklist For Your Pets In The Event Of A Disaster

The Best Way To Ensure The Safety of Your Pets In the Event Of A Disaster Is To Be Prepared!

The Red Cross has created a printable Checklist to ensure you know what to do Before, During and After a Disaster Occurs.
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3640126_PetSafety.pdf

The City Of Virginia Beach Offers the following Guidelines for your Pets and Livestock:
http://www.vbgov.com/residents/emergency-preparedness/Pages/emergency-planning.aspx#Pets-Livestock

The City of Norfolk offers the following in the event of an Emergency:  http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=670

The Virginia Beach SPCA has an Excellent Disaster Response Page:  http://vbspca.com/resources/disaster-response

Operation Drool Overload Coming To Virginia Beach and Norfolk!

The Lazy Dog Cookie Co. Inc has teamed up with Dogs On Deployment to bring you Operation Drool Overload!

By purchasing these yummy Peanut Butter and Molasses doggy treats you will help support Dogs On Deployment, a non-profit organization that provides the largest network of volunteer boarding homes to U.S. Military Members!

To find out more about DOD, or to become a local volunteer, please visit www.dogsondeployment.org.

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care Are True Industry Professionals!

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care is more than just Your Local Pet Care Company.  

Yes we offer Loving, Dependable and Trustworthy Pet Care Services, but what else do we do for You that makes Us True Professionals in the Industry and also Gives You Real Peace of Mind?

Here is just A Sample of ways we are True Professionals.

• We have a Legal Contract & Policies that are in place for our protection as well as yours.

• We have your Credit Card on file in a secure location.  You never have to worry about leaving a check, if you run out of pet food while you are away you do not have to worry about us tracking you down to get $$, you do not have to call or email your CC information each time your visits are up for renewal.  Your CC information is not accessible to staff.

• We keep all of Your & Your Pet's Information in a Cloud File.  This way any staff member can Quickly & Securely Access Your Information at anytime.

• We ask for your Emergency Contact and Veterinary Information.

• We have Experience and are Confident in how to handle a Home or Pet Emergency.

• We Network with other Local Professional Pet Care Companies.  We are Happy to Recommend Local Professionals to you if we do not offer the services or dates you need.

• We are a member of Pet Sitting International.  This membership allows us to Network World Wide with Industry Professionals, Attend Industry Conferences, Stay On Top Of Industry Trends and Education.

• We are very Flexible!  We Do NOT Charge for Same Day Cancellations or, Schedule Permitting, Same Day Add On Visits.  Our Team is in Place to Be Available for YOU.

• As a Professional Company we are able to Offer Packages and Discounts to fit any budget.

 

Red Cross Pet First Aid Mobile App

The Red Cross has a wonderful new mobile app!  The Pet First Aid App.

I hope to never have to use it, but just in case, I am Happy to have it on my phone in case of an emergency.

According to the Red Cross Website:  "Take care of your furry family member. The American Red Cross Pet First Aid app puts veterinary advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand. Get the app and be prepared to act when called upon. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know Pet First Aid."

My Grandpup Chloe

Virginia Beach Parks & Rec Honors Nantional Military Apprieciation Month In May

​Did you know that May is National Military Appreciation Month?  

We all wish that Every Month could be Military Appreciation Month and there are many, many businesses throughout Hampton Roads that offer daily discounts for our Military Heroes, including Happy At Home Professional Pet Care!

We are Happy to see that the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation will be "celebrating and honoring all those who have served and are currently serving."  

Check out the info graphic below or click HERE to find out more!