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🌎 Happy Earth Day 2021!
As life begins to return to normal, Earth Day is an amazing reminder of the work still left to be done. This year, Earth Day is focused on “Restore Our Earth™.”
Unfortunately, the use of plastics has soared during the pandemic and greatly increased plastic pollution in our oceans, landfills, cities, highways, forests, parks, and neighborhoods. Masks, gloves, take-out bags, plastic containers, and packaging are in abundant use, and, without proper disposal, many end up discarded on beaches, roads, lawns, parking lots, and parks.
The marine conservation group OceansAsia estimated in a report that more than 1.5 billion masks entered the oceans in 2020 alone. It is up to us to make this planet a safer place for both animals and humans. One of the ways we can do that is by being more mindful and proactive about the sheer amount of plastic being strewn about. If you see a mask, gloves, plastic bags, chip bags, straws, or any other litter on the ground, please pick it up and discard it appropriately.
Together, we’ll can Restore Our Earth and make this planet a safer place for both animals and humans! 🌎
All pets are at risk of suffocation, but did you know that this problem affects our wildlife all over the world, as well?
This duck in the United Kingdom was found by a passer-by with a chip bag stuck over his head. Luckily, the bag was removed in time, and the lucky duck was saved from suffocation.
We must all do our part in protecting our wildlife from the perils of suffocation. Most wild animals are alone in the wilderness and do not have anyone to readily help them.
Even if you’re not a pet owner, make sure that you’re still cutting up your chip bags, snack bags, pet food bags, and all other food bags before you dispose of them.These food bags can get into our landfills, yards, picnic areas, beach areas, and hiking spots and pose suffocation risks to stray dogs, feral cats, deer, foxes, squirrels, birds, and other wildlife.
Play your part in protecting our wildlife! (Photo Credit – Eastnews Press Agency) 🐺
Will you be returning to the office soon? Learn how to prepare your pets for your transition back to the office!
❤️ One highlight of the pandemic has been the opportunity for many of us to spend more quality time with our favorite pets. Instead of rushing out the door every morning, we have been able to spend our working hours with our pets cuddled up beside us. We benefited from the ongoing unconditional love and companionship, and so did our pets.
With more and more people being vaccinated, a lot of us will slowly head back to our offices, colleges, travel trips, and vacations. Now is the time to think about how you will help your dog or cat transition to more alone time to reduce his anxiety and loneliness.
Some tips to prepare to minimize the disruption to your pet’s routine:
🐶 Start leaving the house more frequently and with longer durations. This will help your pet get used to the idea of you being away, and that you always come back.
🐱 Familiarize your pet with the rituals you had in place before – like giving a treat when leaving or playing with them at a certain time of day. Adjust their feeding and walking schedule to your working schedule. This will help them adapt to the new time constraints.
🐶 If you crate your dog, start reintroducing it when you leave for short periods or even when you are home. Let them get used to not being by your side all day.
🐱 Tire them out mentally and make sure they get enough exercise to help reduce separation anxiety.
🐶 If you are going back to a pet daycare or using a dog walker, start introducing it again in small doses.
🐱 If you notice your pet starts exhibiting anxiety or troublesome behaviors, speak to a pet trainer or your vet.
With a little pre-planning, we can all make our transitions back to work or school a smooth one!
Today is National Pet Day! 🐶🐱
National Pet Day is the perfect day to celebrate the happiness we receive from our beloved pets. Yet, this day is also dedicated to the many pets who live in shelters or have lost their owner and need love and companionship, too.
❤️ Today is an opportunity to consider adopting a rescue pet, fostering a dog or cat, or just helping out a pet owner who is having a hard time being able to walk their dog or play with their pets. These acts of kindness can bring priceless benefits to the health and welfare of these pets who need it.
National Pet Day is also an excellent time to ensure your home is safely secured for your pets.
🐶 Discard any broken or unsanitary toys, chew toys, leashes, collars, and bedding.
🐱 Ensure your pets are up to date on their vaccinations and health checks.
🐶 Check collars to ensure tags are secure and phone numbers are legible. Consider microchipping your pet.
🐱 Keep all food bags and toxins safely out of reach of your pets. Cut up all chip bags, snack bags, and pet food bags to prevent pet suffocation.
Spread the love today and tag us in some of your latest pet photos as you enjoy National Pet Day! 📷
🐶 National Hug Your Dog Day! What’s more fun than hugging your pup? Did you know that hugging your dog actually has therapeutic benefits for you and your pup? Studies have shown that hugging pups increases oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone”, which helps to lower stress, blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol.
❤️ Hugging creates a sense of well-being and contentment between you and your pet. It also can help with a dog’s behavioral issues and bad habits by providing a sense of trust between you and your dog. If your canine companion isn’t a hugger, try a belly rub, a scratch behind the ears, or gentle petting.
Our dogs deserve all the love and affection we can give, so make sure you give them an extra hug today and everyday!
Hats Off to the nonprofit group, Wild Florida Rescue, for saving this beautiful coyote from suffocating in a plastic Pretzel container. They tracked the animal for four days before they were able to capture her to remove the jar. By this time, the coyote was visibly weakened. Her wounds on her neck and ears were cleaned, and she was treated with antibiotics. The lucky coyote is now recuperating at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary until she can released into a safe place of wild acreage.
This is why we tell everyone to destroy all food bags and containers whether you own a pet or not. Protecting our wildlife from suffocation is essential!
Thank you to WGME CBS 13 and Investigative Reporter, Marissa Bodnar, for featuring Prevent Pet Suffocation and Emma Pierce, who lost her dog to suffocation in a chip bag, in this informative media interview! Spreading awareness is key to preventing pet suffocation, and each media piece and every owner’s personal story helps us in our mission. The link to the interview is under the “Press” tab – then click on the “Videos” tab.
Prevent Pet Suffocation has been featured in the debut issue of the pet safety magazine, Riding Certified, published by the dedicated pet advocates from Dogs Ride Certified. Riding Certified focuses on the safest way for dogs to travel in cars. Keeping all food bags away from your pets in the car is vital to keeping them safe from suffocation, which can easily happen in your vehicle. The article, “A Sneaky Danger to Consider Before Hitting the Road”, is on pages 48 to 51. The link to the article is under the “Press” tab – then click on the “Articles” tab.
Have you seen our updated Memorial Photos Page on our website honoring hundreds of dogs and cats that we have lost due to pet suffocation? We honor all of these beautiful faces who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and whose personal stories help spread awareness to prevent pet suffocation. To view, click on “Memorial Photos Page” on the Tool Bar Menu above.
Check out my latest podcast interview on pet suffocation from across the pond with Michelle Robertson, a dedicated animal advocate and host of Dog Desk Radio, a division of the UK’s Dog Desk Animal Action! Dog Desk Animal Action is a registered non-profit consisting of a radio station, a magazine, and a newsroom. Their mission supports rescues, organizations, and people looking to improve the health and well-being of animals. It was wonderful to spread awareness with our friends in the UK! To listen, click on “Press” above, then “Videos”.
