VACCINATE!
Warmer weather brings out more house bound pets and more wildlife which can carry rabies, distemper and other contagious diseases. Make sure your dogs and cats are protected. Visit your veterinarian and get your pet vaccinated. There are vaccines that will help reduce the risk of distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, kennel cough and rabies.

START OBEDIENCE TRAINING
Spring time is a great time to begin obedience training fore your puppy or young dog or to brush up training for your older more mature dog. An unruly out of control dog is a danger to himself and others. Good citizenship requires that dog owners have their pets under control whenever among other dogs and people. An obedient dog is a happy and healthy pet.

LEASHES, DON’T GO OUT WITHOUT ONE
If you are going outdoors with your pet, make sure it is on a leash. Your pet must be under control at all times when it is out among other people and pets. The firm grip you maintain on the leash is the best safeguard you have to insure that your pet doesn’t spar with other animals or gets loose and runs away. Your pet should also always wear a collar with an identification tag.

STOP FLEAS & TICKS
The same Lyme disease (carried by ticks) that ravages healthy people can do enormous damage to pets. Check with your veterinarian for new, easy-to-use flea and tick products. Only use the flea and tick products recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter products can be toxic and pose dangers to your pets.  

CAR SICK PETS
Car sick pets can make a long car ride an excruciating journey. Make thing easy on everyone. Don’t feed your pet for 8 to 12 hours before an extended car trip. You can give water up to two hours before. Plan several stops along the way to let your pet and other passengers relieve themselves. Bring some water from home and give just enough to your pet to quench its thirst.

USE PET ID TAGS
Avoid the heart ache that comes when a pet is lost. Make sure your pet has an identification tag on its collar. The tag should have your daytime and home phone numbers or email address. Use the implanted ID chip system too. It can help your identify pet if it is turned into an animal shelter. Tens of thousands of pets are lost each years. Unfortunately too many are euthanized because they lack ID and are not adopted.

PET FIRST AID KIT
Most serious injuries to pets occur in the spring and summer months when we spend more time outdoors with them. Be prepared if an emergency strikes. Have a well stocked first aid kit handy. can be the difference between life and death.

PLAN VACATION TRIPS
If you plan to travel this summer and bring your pet along make sure you plan ahead. Nothing will ruin a vacation faster than finding out as you check in that your hotel doesn’t allow pets. When booking accommodation make sure your hotel or vacation resort permits pets. Check with and make arrangements well in advance with your airline, train or bus line. AAA and other travel services have lists of hotels and transportation systems that are pet friendly.

STILL WATERS AREN'T SAFE
Children aren’t the only ones who drown when left unsupervised in backyard pools. Pets are also vulnerable. Never leave your cat or dog alone at or near a pool.

Courtesy of www.bideawee.org