No doubt, great toys are all around for exercise and general enjoyment. Your pet is well fed and cared for, however, does an identification tag hang from their collar in case they go missing?   Do you have eye-catching decals on the windows and/or doors of your home in case of a fire?   Are they securely harnessed in the car to keep them safe in the event of a short stop or even worse an accident? When you’re out enjoying a boat ride, do ALL family members wear a lifejacket? If you can’t answer “yes” to all of these questions you need to rethink “How safe is your pet?” These are important questions for the safety and well being of your pet.

When dealing with a lost pet, time is of the essence.  The most inexpensive recovery method is to put an identification tag on their collar with your contact information. Unfortunately, this method makes it hard to communicate that your pet may have special needs. Numerous companies specialize in pet recovery and offer additional options when there are unique requirements.  For a small yearly fee, companies provide an identification tag with a 24/7 phone number or web site address. These companies will notify vets and local agencies to be on the alert for your pet. They can also pass on critical information such as the need for insulin if your pet is diabetic. Recovery companies can proactively notify more people, than you alone, to increase the probability your pet will be located quickly. What they all have in common is a convenient centralized method to report your pet is lost or for a good samaritan to report your pet is found. Implanting a microchip embedded with contact information is another pet recovery system.  The lost animal needs to be brought to a vet clinic or humane society with the equipment to retrieve the information on the microchip.  Access to a facility with a microchip reader is not assured in all areas 24 hours a day. This consumes valuable time that may not be available for a special needs pet.

In the United States, over 40,000 pets are killed each year in fires.  Adhering brightly colored decals to your home’s windows and/or doors are an inexpensive way to alert the firemen that there are pets inside.  Just by having these decals the odds of your pet being saved increase dramatically.

Many studies have proven passenger restraints in vehicles save lives and minimize injury. A safety harness is a minimal investment to ensure your pet’s safety. With numerous seat belt systems on the market, choosing the best can be a challenge.  The V9DT Pet Safety- Durability Test may sort out the issues. While this is not a National standard (sadly there is NO standard) the tests are very impressive and harnesses that meet the specification will improve the protection of your pet.

 As many as 170,000 dog, cats and small animals drown every year. Dogs love to jump in the water. Some are stronger swimmers than others and like people; some have longer endurance. Sadly, there are NO standards for this important pet safety product.  The various lifejackets on the market have generally the same features.  This may be fine for the backyard swimming pool or the small pond near your home but inadequate when out to sea.  If the pet is injured or exhausted from paddling the lifejacket needs to keep your pet’s head above water until help arrives. More expensive lifejackets exist which keep your pet’s head out of the water.  These lifejackets let the animal effortlessly float until they can be rescued.  Water activated lights can adhere to the lifejacket alerting rescuers to the location of your pet, especially at night.

There’s no doubt you take measures to ensure your personal safety and well being. This author believes every pet deserves the same. Pet safety does not need to be an excessive expenditure; it is ensuring your much-loved pet is as protected as yourself.  So, how safe is your pet?

 Dori Mayer, Owner Operator  Critter Cozy.  For more information, call 443-279-8765.  Mention you read article on Maryland Pet Gazette web site!    See our ad page 42.

Web: www.crittercozy.com

Email: crittercozy@verizon.net

P.O. Box 1168, Sykesville, MD., 21784