Today is Rat Catcher’s Day. Thank your kitty for all of the special “gifts” he brings you. While you’re at it, don’t forget to order the rat-shaped cake!
Monthly Archives: July 2015
National Pet Fire Safety Day
Today is July 15, National Pet Fire Safety Day.
Many years ago I was spending Christmas day at my Aunt Beverly’s home. Beverly was a first-time cat owner and, as often happens to compassionate people, Puddy had recently wandered up to her home and moved in. The Russian Blue wannabe worked the crowd as Bev passed loaded plates to the dining room through a convenient service window. Faux fir boughs and a votive candle adorned the window ledge.
Assuming a supervisory position, Puddy lept up on the ledge and paused over the candle. Everyone in the room noticed the kitty straddling the flame. A chorus of, “Oh no!” and “Move Puddy” filled the air. With all the screaming and panic, Puddy didn’t move a whisker. Before anyone could grab him, his pewter fur began smoldering. More human hysteria, more freezing. Well-intentioned rescuers reached him; and chased the terrified cat around the house.
Fortunately, only his fur and his pride were singed. It could have been much worse: Puddy could have died a horrible death and the house could have caught fire.
That night I went home and threw out all of my candles. That Christmas day I learned: if pets can get into trouble, they will, a fact backed up by National Fire Protection Association statistics. The organization estimates that 1,000 house fires are started annually by pets.
Since today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, I thought I’d share some suggestions for keeping your
pets safe in the event of a fire.
Be prepared and include your pets in your family fire evacuation plan.
When you hold family fire drills (and if you don’t, you should) or practice escape routes, do it with your pets. Keep leashes and carriers in a handy place. (Don’t try to carry your dog or cat in your arms. A panicky pet could injure you or wiggle out of your gasp and become lost.)
- Place a Pet Alert sticker on a front window or door and keep the information current. Update it whenever you get a new pet or say goodbye to a companion.
- Use flameless candles. (Remember Puddy.)
- Don’t leave your pets unattended around an open flames. Extinguish candles, stoves and fireplaces before leaving home.
- Pet proof your home. Can the puppy or kitten chew computer wires? If you have cats, consider fire hazards in 3-D.
- Keep young pets confined when you are away from home.
- Get a stove knob shield or remove the knobs when you aren’t around. (You can get the stove guards in the baby section of any store including Lowes.) This is where most pet-associated fires begin.
Keep Your Pets Safe This July 4th
I want you to keep your pets safe this weekend. Back in the early 1980s I learned the hard way that more pets go missing over the Independence Day holiday than any other time of year. I had an adorable tabby named D.B. who was an indoor/outdoor cat. He disappeared the night of July 4th. I searched the neighborhood for months and no D.B. I was a new cat owner and simply didn’t know better. More than 30 years later, I still feel guilty.
For the most part, dogs and cats panic at the sight and sound of fireworks. Then there’s Independence Day “mischief.” People who believe it’s okay to commit acts of cruelty just because it’s a holiday. Seven years ago I cared for the most wonderful foster cat, Edwina (who later was renamed became Zeki by her new owner). Edwina was attacked by some maniac with a knife who tried to skin her alive. So please take a few steps to keep your pets safe this Independence Day.
- Make sure your pets have ID tags, especially cats who go outside.
- For added insurance, get your pet microchipped in case the collar is lost. Make sure the chip is registered with a national pet registry database.
- Keep a photo of your cat or dog on your cell phone as proof of ownership. It will also be helpful if you ever have to make a lost pet poster.
- Keep all pet inside July 4 night. Put your kitties in a quiet room with their litter box and food and water bowls.
- Use a Comfort Zone® with Feliway® diffuser or a SENTRY® GOOD Behavior® Cat Calming Collar and/or plugin. Comfort Zone and SENTRY also make products for dogs.
- If your pet is especially sensitive to the sounds of fireworks, talk to your vet about medication to keep him calm.
- If you have have a party or guests, put a Do Not Open Door sign on the pets’ sanctuary.
- When traveling over the July 4th weekend, board pets in a kennel or hire a petsitter to stay with them. Imagine how scary it would be to be home alone with fireworks going off nearby.
Even after 30 years I still cry about D.B. on July 4. Don’t make my mistake. Plan ahead and keep your pets safe.