Sept/Oct 2015 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

September/October 2015

Your Guide To All Things Pets

TRAPNEUTERRETURN PROGRAM

Helps Reduce Feral Cat Population

PLUS: Pet Sitting and Pet Boarding Heartworm Disease 15th Annual Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Contents

4 Trap-Neuter-Return Program Helps Reduce Feral Cat Population 9 Lyons Pharmacy & Compounding Lab 12 Dental Health Care and Prevention 14 Heartworm Disease: Do We Need To Worry for our Pets? 15 Low-Cost Pet Adoptions and Free Family Fun at 15th Annual Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair 16 Pet Sitting and Pet Boarding: What You Need to Know 22 Cat Adoptables 23 Directory for All Things Pets

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email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com PUBLISHER Bridget Alves EDITOR Caroline Squires ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications Find Us On Facebook and Twitter Pet Me! Magazine

With over 50 million feral cats in the United States, we thought it was important to discuss what is happening with the feral cat population in our own community. Even though SCV doesn’t have a large feral cat population, the San Fernando Valley does, and it has been battling feral cat populations for years, but with the help of organizations like Save A Kitty, featured in the article, Trap-NeuterReturn Program Helps Reduce Feral Cat Population, progress has been made. The article discusses what TNR is, why it’s effective, and how you can help feral cats. In addition to how you can help animals in need, this issue also focuses on how pet owners can help reduce stress in their own pets when pet owners go out of town. Several local pet sitters and local boarding facility owners were interviewed to gain professional insight into what dog and cat owners should know prior to leaving their pets in the care of someone else. This issue also has several articles submitted by local veterinarians that focus on preventative care. Often times we have to face problems and sometimes large bills that could have been avoided or lessened if we had only taken the time to do little things to make sure those big problems didn’t get the chance to manifest. By staying informed and knowing what you can do, you can help protect your pet against potentially life-threatening health problems. As always, thank you for your wonderful email and kind support. Please continue sending your input as it assists us in providing you with the information you want. We appreciate the privilege of bringing you Pet Me! Magazine.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

TRAPR E T NEU N R U T RE M A R G PRO Helps Reduce Feral Cat Population

By Caroline Squires 4 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

ational Feral Cat Day, October 16, was started in 2001 to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and empower and mobilize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for feral cats. Debbie Eskow, founder and CEO of Save A Kitty, explained that her organization uses the method called Trap-Neuter-Return or TNR in order to stop future litters as well as to help maintain the health of feral colonies that are already established in urban areas. The United States is overrun with feral cats, and many of them live in colonies. The Humane Society estimates the number of feral cats at 50 million. Shockingly, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in just 7 years! Across the country, a patchwork of advocates like Eskow are working to find innovative and humane solutions to reduce the feral cat population. Locally, the greatest need for TNR is in the San Fernando Valley, which is where Save A Kitty focuses its efforts. Eskow explained that a feral cat is one that is born and raised in the wild or was abandoned or lost and turned to wild ways in order to survive. While some feral cats tolerate a bit of human contact, most are too fearful and wild to be handled. Ferals often live in groups, called colonies, and take refuge wherever they can find food—rodents and other small animals, and garbage. They find shelter in abandoned buildings, industrial parks, parking garages, or even deserted cars. When a colony is found, volunteers from a rescue organization, like Save A Kitty, will go to the location and spend time trapping the cats in order to take them to a veterinary clinic to get them spayed or neutered. Eskow commented that in order to trap a colony it depends on how many kitties are present. She said, “Colonies can be as few as 6 or as many as 40. The larger the colony and the more time we spend there the more trap savvy the cats get. They are very smart. We have cats taking the bait and stepping over the trip plate to prevent it from closing.” Eskow continued, “It took me 3 months to trap 60 kitties going 3 nights a week. The whole trapping experience is learning to be patient, learning how to camouflage traps, and using foods to lure trap-savvy kitties. Warm Kentucky Fried Chicken is a wellknown method to entice ‘trap smart kitties.’ We usually set traps and go wait in our cars. When we hear the trap close it’s very exciting; we all

hope we actually got a kitty. I always think of that line in the movie Ghostbusters--‘we got one!’ Sometimes it’s a false alarm and sometimes we may have 2 in one trap.” Once the cats are trapped, they are taken to a veterinary clinic to be vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Some people may consider eradication of ferals as a plausible solution instead of TNR. However, the ASPCA maintains that eradication, or the deliberate and systematic destruction of a feral cat colony, by whatever method, almost always leads to the “vacuum effect”—either new cats flock to the vacated area to exploit whatever food source attracted the original inhabitants, or survivors breed and their descendants are more cautious around threats. Simply put, eradication is only a temporary fix that sacrifices animals’ lives unnecessarily, yet yields no positive or beneficial return. Over the years, TNR has been shown to be the least costly, as well as the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing feral cat populations. Eskow makes sure the cats she has trapped are fixed as well as vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of disease among free-roaming cats. Another step in the process is called eartipping, which is a widely accepted means of marking a feral cat that has been spayed or neutered. It also often identifies them as being part of a colony with a caretaker. Ear-tipping is the humane surgical removal of the top quarter-inch of the left ear. This technique is especially important as it prevents an already spayed or neutered cat the stress of re-trapping and, more importantly, an unnecessary surgery. After the cats have recovered from their veterinary trip, they are returned to the location where they were trapped. At that point, many organizations will assign a colony caretaker to look after the colony of cats. Often times, the colonies are fed because once they are sterilized it changes their behaviors. They

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Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

continued from page 5 are still “feral” but they can lose their edge. The goal of a caretaker is to try to keep their colonies healthy. Life is not easy for feral cats; they must endure weather extremes such as cold and snow, heat and rain. They also face starvation, infection, and attacks by other animals. Unfortunately, almost half of the kittens born outdoors die from disease, exposure, or parasites before their first year. Feral cats also face eradication by humans—poison, trapping, gassing, and steel leg-hold traps are all ways humans, including some animal control and government agencies, try to kill off feral cat populations. That said, feral cats that live in a managed colony—a colony with a dedicated caretaker who provides spay/neuter services, regular feedings and proper shelter—can live a quite content life. If a feral cat survives kittenhood, his average lifespan is less than two years if living on his own. If a cat is lucky enough to be in a colony that has a caretaker, it may reach a lifespan of 10 years. TNR helps the community by stabilizing the population of the feral colony and, over time, reducing it. At the same time, nuisance behaviors such as spraying, excessive noisemaking, and fighting are largely eliminated, and no more kittens are born. Yet, the benefit of natural rodent control is continued. Jesse Oldham, ASPCA Senior Administrative Director of Community Outreach and the founder of Slope Street Cats,

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an organization dedicated to feral cat welfare, notes, “TNR also helps the community’s animal welfare resources by reducing the number of kittens that would end up in their shelters—TNR creates more space for the cats and kittens who come to them from other avenues.” Since animal shelters will not adopt out feral cats, they make up a large percentage of the four million to six million cats euthanized by U.S. animal shelters every year. While a feral cat might look exactly the same as a pet cat, they’re actually very different. Feral cats survive by avoiding close human interaction. When properly cared for, feral cats are happier outdoors in their own territory—they have their own hierarchies and are able to exhibit their natural behaviors. There is very little success in adopting a truly feral cat. “When I first started doing TNR,” Oldham recalls, “I, like many first-time rescuers, tried to socialize a feral cat. He remained under my bed for over a year before I could even touch him. With so many adoptable domestic cats and kittens who are truly happy being indoors, socializing a feral cat should not be the goal.” Some semi-feral cats are actually stray cats that don’t exhibit quite the same shy behavior as the majority of feral cats. Many semi-ferals are stray cats that were lost or abandoned. Occasionally they were born feral but for no particular reason are less fear-

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continued from page 7 ful of humans. Many semi-ferals lack the knowledge to survive on their own, and are often rejected by established colonies. For some of these cats, it is possible to socialize them, but it depends on their trust of humans. “Many people wonder how they can tell if a cat is feral or an afraid domestic—that’s a hard judgment call,” Oldham states. “My advice in these situations is to trap and neuter the cat and see how he responds when you are holding him for recovery in a quiet space. If he vocalizes to you, affectionately rubs his cheeks on you, he’s likely been socialized by people at some point in the past.” It is important to trap feral kittens and, whenever possible, foster and socialize them until they are old enough to be adopted out. Eskow of Save A Kitty said, “Kittens that are over 8 weeks old are hard to socialize. I try to trap them when they are weaned from the mom at about 5-6 weeks. I take them home and spend a lot of time with them. After a few days, they start to purr and seek attention from me.” If you find a kitten that you suspect was born to feral parents, the Urban Cat League is a great resource for information regarding socializing feral kittens. Here are some tips to help you along: • Whenever possible, kittens should continue to nurse until four weeks old—this can be done in captivity.

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• Do not let feral kittens run loose—they can hide in tiny spaces and are exceptionally difficult to find and catch. • Confine the kittens in a dog crate, cat condo or cage with a small litter box, food, water and something snuggly to cuddle in. • Food is the key to socializing. Give the kittens a small amount of wet food by hand at least twice a day—eventually the kittens will associate your presence with food. For those who are more feral, start by offering baby food or wet food on a spoon through the cage. • Younger and less feral kittens can be picked up right away. Make a kitty burrito by wrapping a kitten in a towel, allowing its head to stick out. •O nce the kittens no longer run away from you but instead come toward you seeking to be fed, held and petted, you can confine them to a small room. •B e sure to expose the kitten to a variety of people. • Do not forget about the mom—spaying her is essential as well. While TNR is an effective method at controlling and reducing feral cat populations, the only way to completely fix this situation is for cat owners to keep their cats indoors and to make sure they are spayed or neutered. If cat owners fixed their cats and kept them indoors, our community’s feral problem would be solved and many lives would be saved in the process.

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Lyons Pharmacy & Compounding Lab By Caroline Squires

hy should you consider compounding as a solution for your pet’s medical needs? As any pet owner is well aware, animals can be extremely difficult to treat with medications. Cats are notorious for refusing to swallow pills, dogs usually sniff out pills disguised in food, or spit them out when your back is turned. Likewise, large and exotic pets pose their own unique medication challenges. However, there is a solution, and a compounding pharmacist is equipped to help you! What exactly is compounding? Dr. Pete Farzadfar, owner and pharmacist of Lyons Pharmacy & Compounding Lab, explained that it is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients and pets. Years ago, compounded medications provided the majority of prescription drug care for the population. Today, the vast majority of medications are mass-produced by pharmaceutical drug companies. Dr. Farzadfar’s pharmacy has been open since 2013 and already has great online reviews for their customer service. He strongly believes

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continued from page 9 in quality care for his human patients as well as his pet patients. Dr. Farzadfar has been a pharmacist for 7 years and used to work in a chain store pharmacy but found he missed working one-on-one with patients and developing a personal relationship with them. He said, “I know my clients by name and enjoy interacting with Dr. Pete Farzadfar, owner and them.” He strongly pharmacist of Lyons Pharmacy & believes in going the Compounding Lab. extra step for his patients and understands that people’s pets are part of their family, which is why he takes pride in providing services that can help a pet owner solve some problems inherent when giving medication.

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veterinary medication. Often this is because it is not needed in the vast quantities necessary to make mass production cost-effective, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some pets that need it. When that medication has worked well for animals, a compounding pharmacist can prepare a prescription for the discontinued product – and tailor the strength, dosage form, and flavor to that pet’s specific needs. Medication Solutions A compounding pharmacist may be able to combine several medications into one dosage, thus cutting the time it would take to medicate your pet. Some pets cannot take certain medications due to side effects such as upset stomach. A compounding pharmacist can prepare the medications in a transdermal cream that can be applied directly to the site of the pain to avoid the unwanted side effects. Medication concentration can also be adjusted, so a pet owner only has to use a small amount of liquid in a syringe if needed, which allows a quicker delivery of the medication. If you find yourself facing any of these issues, you might want to have a conversation with your veterinarian to see if a prescription for a compounded medication would be appropriate for your pet.

Dr. Farzadfar stresses that pet owners should know their options and what is available to help with the medicating process. He commented that he frequently compounds antibiotics, seizure medications, and blood pressure medicine for pets. His pharmacy is competitive with pricing and offers additional services like free mail delivery to SCV residents, pre-filled syringes, and consultations to guide pet owners in the right direction. Lyons Pharmacy & Compounding is located at 23206 Lyons Ave. #112, Newhall 661-777-7770.

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Dental Health Care and Prevention By Dr. Evelyn Vega, DVM, Happy Pets Veterinary

oes your pet’s breath clear the room? When was the last time you looked at your pet’s teeth? Many pet owners feel that bad breath is normal for our pets and just accept it. The hallmark sign of dental disease is bad breath. 85% of dogs and cats develop periodontal disease by the age of two. If left untreated, it can cause not only bad breath, but tooth loss, dental abscesses, and infections in various organs such as the heart, kidneys, or liver. However, periodontal disease can be 100% prevented with daily home dental care and regular cleanings under anesthesia. Clients always ask how often their pets need to have professional dental cleanings done and the answer is that it depends on the pet. Some dogs need regular dental cleanings under anesthesia every 6 months; others can go 2 years or longer. Usually the smaller breeds of dogs such as Yorkies and Poodles are genetically prone to develop dental tartar and gingivitis, thus leading to periodontal disease more frequently than the larger breed dogs, such as Labradors or Golden Re-

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trievers. However, with regular home dental care we are able to see these smaller breeds make it well into their senior years and still have great teeth. So what can you do at home and how often? The veterinary dentist recommends tooth brushing done daily for maximum results; however, at least three times a week would be adequate at helping control dental disease. A wide variety of home oral hygiene options are available for both dogs and cats. It does not matter what is used, as long as it is used consistently and on a regular basis. Using products for a short period or occasionally does not really do much to help prevent periodontal disease such as having your pet’s teeth brushed only when they get groomed. You are better off spending that money on dental products that you can use at home on a more regular basis. Some of the dental products available are pet specific toothpastes that come in flavors that dogs and cats will accept, such as poultry or seafood. Oral rinses, gels or sprays are available that can be applied by squirting a small amount inside the cheek on each side of the mouth or a gel that is smeared onto the teeth. There are also water additives that can be added to their drinking water daily that helps break down plaque. However, brushing is what we call the “Gold Standard” meaning it is the best out of all the other options available. At Happy Pets we go over the 3-step process with all our clients to get their pets used to having their teeth brushed. Step One: you want to start easy to get your dog or cat used to having their mouth and gums touched. Start by just rubbing your finger along their gums, no tooth paste, no tooth brush, just your finger rubbing the gums all around the mouth focusing only on the outside of the teeth, not the insides. Step Two: introduce the pet specific toothpaste and use your finger to do the same thing you were doing in step one. It is very important not to use our own human toothpaste as it is

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

toxic if swallowed and our pets will not spit it out. Pet toothpaste, on the other hand, is made to be swallowed because it is not rinsed off. Most pet toothpaste works by enzymatic action, which means there are enzymes that help break down the plaque so it does not harden into the tan colored tartar we see on the teeth. Lastly, Step Three: you can do the same thing you have been doing in step one and two, just now introduce a finger brush or a small children’s tooth brush. I prefer the finger brush because your pet will most likely accept your finger in their mouths and not a large complicated “stick” with bristles that feel funny. With consistency and lots of patience, everyone should be able to brush their pet’s teeth at home with no problems. We have some owners who are able to actually floss their pet’s teeth; others can use electric toothbrushes! Our three-step system may take some pets a few days; it may take other pets 3 months or longer, the key is not to give up and be persistent. When you do not have time to brush, then you have a variety of other home dental care options available that pet owners can use to help keep their pet’s breath and overall dental hygiene in check. You no longer have to accept bad breath as being normal. Good Luck and let the tooth brushing begin!

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Heartworm Disease:

Do We Need To Worry for our Pets? By Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM, Cinema Veterinary Centre

f you haven’t heard of heartworm disease before that is probably because it is much more prominent in the east coast and south, but since Hurricane Katrina, Southern California has seen several outbreaks of heartworm in local areas, and it has been documented that local coyote populations also carry this disease. So how would it be transmitted to your dog? Heartworms are parasites that live in the arteries of your pet’s lungs and, in severe cases, in the right side of their heart chambers. These parasites are a species of roundworms that need an insect species to spread it from animal to animal. The disease is spread by mosquitoes that become infected with microfilariae while taking a blood meal from an infected dog. Within the mosquito, the microfilariae mature into the infective larval stage. When the mosquito then bites another dog, cat, or susceptible animal, the larvae are deposited on the skin and actively migrate into the new host. For about 2 months the larvae migrate through the connective tissue, under the skin, then pass into the animal’s venous blood stream and are quickly transported to the arteries of the lung. It takes a total of approximately six months for the infective larvae to mature

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into adult worms that begin producing offspring, microfilariae. Adult heartworms can live for five to seven years in the dog. (Source: American Heartworm Society). Adult worms living in the pulmonary arteries and the heart can cause extensive damage to these organs as well as cause dysfunction of the liver and the kidneys. Infected dogs may exhibit clinical signs associated with lung and heart dysfunction including a cough, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing. However, very acute or mild infections may not show any signs at all! While treatment is available and usually successful for dogs that are infected, prevention is much safer and by far more economical. We recommend for all of our canine patients to be on a monthly heartworm preventative, in either a chewable or topical form. We offer a quick 10 minute blood test that tests your pet for the presence of the disease and if negative, your pet can be placed on the monthly preventative. Even with prevention, it is recommended that pets be tested for heartworm disease on an annual basis. Additional information can be found online at the American Heartworm Society.

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Low-Cost Pet Adoptions and Free Family Fun at 15th Annual Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair

ets and the people that love them are the focus of the 15th Annual Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair at Newhall’s William S. Hart Park on Sunday, October 11. The free, fun, family-friendly day, sponsored by Animal Medical Center and Ingolstadt West German Auto Report, kicks off at 11 a.m. Hundreds of dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption at the fair, with the six Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control Centers offering discounted adoption fees of just $30. County pet adopters also receive a special, complimentary goody bag for their new family member compliments of Bow-Wows & Meows vendors and sponsors. All pets are spayed or neutered, immunized and microchipped, and ready to go home. “Adoption doesn’t just save lives, it’s costeffective, too,” said Yvonne Allbee, founder of Bow-Wows & Meows, Inc. “Most of the dogs and cats at Bow-Wows & Meows were once part of a family but unfortunate circumstances rendered them homeless. They acclimate really well to being part of a home again and make the greatest companions. Knowing you truly saved a life makes adoption a win-win situation.” Additional Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair activities include: • Exciting extreme frisbee & stunt entertainment from Disc Dogs in So. Cal. at 11:30 and 2:30 p.m. • The Famous Fun Dog Show, with categories ranging

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from best vocalist to mystery mutt to pet-owner lookalike at 1:30 p.m. • Personalized ID tags and children’s bracelets • Huge “Super Raffle” with amazing prizes at just $1 per ticket • Food Truck Court with delicious dining options (including vegan and vegetarian) • Professional pet photographer and animal artist • Shopping opportunities ranging from premium pet food to fantastic pet accessories • Low-cost vaccines from TAGS • County pet license renewals Free shuttled parking on the grounds of Hart Park will be provided for the first time this year, thanks to parking sponsor Ingolstadt West German Auto Repair in Canoga Park. Shuttles will transport guests (and their pets) to the entrance of the fair. Leashed, well-behaved dogs of all breeds are welcome to attend with their owners. Since it began in 2000, the Valencia-based Bow-Wows & Meows, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has adopted out close to 1,700 shelter and rescue pets at its annual fairs. Allbee encourages pet lovers to get involved by spreading the word about Bow-Wows & Meows via Facebook (https:// www.facebook.com/BWMPetFair) or Twitter (@BowWowsPetFair). “Social media alone can make a huge impact by bringing more adopters to the fair, helping us save as many lives as possible,” Allbee said. “We can also use volunteers to help pass out posters and flyers in the community prior to the fair. For more information, please visit our website at www.BowWowsAndMeows.org. Allbee said the fair’s goal is 200 adoptions this year. “There’s nothing better than seeing all the shelter trucks go back empty at the end of the day,” Allbee said. “With the community’s help, we know this will be our most successful fair yet.” Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair, Sunday, October 11 at William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE. For more information, visit www. BowWowsAndMeows.org or call (661) 297-5961. Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

An Amlotte, owner of Pacific Pet Sitters in Santa Clarita.

Pet Sitting and Pet Boarding:

What You Need to Know By Caroline Squires

ou’ve set the date, booked your flight, and reserved your hotel room, but what do you do with your pet when it’s time for you to get some rest and relaxation? Luckily, you have options. You could hire a neighbor, have a friend or family member help, hire a pet sitter, or take your pet to a boarding facility. If you’re like me, you aren’t going to enjoy your time off if you are worried about your pet. Peace of mind is everything when it comes to pet care. You want whomever is watching your pet to care for them the way you would. One option is to hire a professional pet sitter. With more pet-sitting options and numerous online pet-sitter directories, you will need to be more prudent in your search for reliable pet care. Finding a pet sitter to provide the right pet-care services requires an investment of time—time to do phone interviews, conduct an in-your-home meeting, and thoroughly check references on those you’re considering hiring. 16 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Sitters International, the world’s largest and most respected authority on pet sitting, strongly recommends that pet sitters are insured and bonded. You should know that your pet sitter is capable and prepared for emergency situations. On the following pages are some things to consider.

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What does a pet sitter do when: • A client’s hardwood floors are damaged due to a water-related accident? • A pet in her care dislocates its hip? • A dog swallows a ball at a dog park and requires surgery? • A cat overdoses on medication? A pet sitter who is insured and bonded is extremely important in instances like these. Professional pet sitters understand your need for peace of mind, especially when trusting someone you do not know with keys to your home and access to your beloved pets for the first time. Many professional pet sitters will offer verification of clean criminal history before you ask. Remember, it may take a little time up front to determine the pet-sitting service best suited for your situation, but once you’ve made this match, you’ll agree with the multitudes of other pet owners who say, “My pet sitter is worth her (or his) weight in gold!” Regardless of whom you choose to take care of your pet, you want to be sure you know the answers to these questions: 1. What do your rates include? You can find most of the pricing information on the pet

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continued from page 17 sitter’s web site, but you want to know what those prices cover. If the rates are based on time, find out what each visit includes. How much time will the pet sitter actually spend with your dog? Are walks included? Playtime? Grooming? Giving medication? Will she pick up the poop in your yard? How about scoop the litter box? 2. What is not included? Figure out what services cost extra. Maybe it’s worth it to pay more and have the pet sitter stay longer during each visit. Maybe you want your lab mix to go for a run instead of a walk. Maybe your fish need to be fed once over the weekend. Maybe your rottweiler needs his ears cleaned. You could potentially be charged extra for all of these. 3. What happens if my pet gets sick? Any experienced pet sitter has dealt with at least some kind of minor emergency such as a sick pet. You should both be on the same page for what will happen if your dog requires medical attention, especially if you have a senior pet, a puppy that eats everything in sight, or a dog with an illness. You want to know which vet your dog will be taken to and if you will be notified first. You could also ask if the pet sitter has taken an animal first-aid class. 4. Do you care for cats and other animals? If you have other animals besides your dog, make sure the pet sitter is comfortable dealing with those animals. Some pet sitters will not care for hamsters, birds, horses, and other animals. Most will care for cats. 5. Are you the only person who will interact with my dog? Some pet-sitting businesses have several employees. If that’s the case, you still want the same person to check on your dog every time so there is consistency. And you should absolutely meet the person who will be taking care of your pets. 6. What is the price for a second or third dog? Don’t assume that pet sitting for your second or third dog is free or discounted. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. Three labs are a lot more work than one. 7. Who is responsible if a dog bites someone? Many dogs need a pet sitter because they are dog aggressive and can’t be left at a kennel. As long as your dog is friendly around people, most pet sitters will agree to take care of your dog. A good pet sitter will have a plan of action for what happens if a dog bites and someone requires medical attention because of it. 8. Can I call to see how my dog is doing? The answer should always be yes. The pet sitter may not be able to answer the phone at all times because she has 18 Pet Me! Magazine™

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other animals to take care of. But she should provide a cell phone number and email address. Many pet sitters will send a text or an email after their visit in order to let you know how it went. 9. Will the dog be taken off my property? You probably want your dog to go for a walk and get all the attention he can get. But maybe you are worried he will get away, and you’d rather have the pet sitter play with him in your fenced yard. Either way, you want to know what the pet sitter will be doing with your dog so you can give proper instructions and explain how your dog typically acts on a walk or in the yard. 10. When are you available? Some pet sitters do not work weekends. Some do not work holidays. Others do house visits between certain hours like 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Some are available at all times every day of the year. Make sure your pet sitter’s hours will work with you and your dog’s schedule. If not, ask if she can make exceptions for you, but don’t expect it. Hiring a pet or house sitter can be scary since you are trusting a stranger in your home while you are away. Due diligence in hiring the best pet sitter is similar to an employer selecting the best candidate for a job position. After setting up a meet and greet with a potential sitter, it is important to ask yourself the following questions before making the hire: 1. Does the sitter provide you a business card upon arrival? If you are dealing with a professional sitter, expect them to hand you a card or flyer immediately upon meeting you. That way you have contact information for your wallet when you are gone. 2. Does the sitter take copious notes? Some sitters require you to complete a questionnaire before arriving. If the sitter did not ask for the information before the visit, does the sitter note instructions and ask questions about the animal’s care, habits, needs, and location of pet areas? 3. How does the sitter interact with your pet at introduction? If the sitter does not interact with your animal or greet the animal at its level, seek additional information from the sitter. If you have a bashful pet, observe either the sitter’s actions around the pet or ask how the sitter plans to care for the animal. For example, good sitters will arrive at your home, sit on the floor, and remain very quiet for a few minutes, to hopefully assist a bashful cat in the acceptance of a stranger. Of course, if the sitter seems turned off or nervous around your animal, you may want to seek another sitter.

4. Does the sitter ask questions about other emergency contacts? Sitters should collect contact information for the veterinarian, but a good sitter will ask if there is a local contact should something happen around the home that constitutes as an emergency. 5. Does the sitter have signage on their vehicle? Marlee, owner of Dogone-It pet sitting. Signage on pet sitting service vehicles advertises an absent resident. If sitters are defensive about the signage, you have another clue for concern. 6. Will the person meeting you be the same person caring for your pet? Ensure you meet the person who will be caring for your pet. You should be wary of a contact person who assigns someone else to care for your animal. Some pet sitting companies have employees, but the person delivering the service should be the one to meet you and the animal. When you return, your animal should be calm and happy to see you. You will be able to tell if your animal received the care you expect by your animal’s behavior and cleanliness of the pet areas. An Amlotte, owner of Pacific Pet Sitters in Santa Clarita, is a certified, professional pet sitter who began her business a year and a half ago with her husband. It started from a passion for animals, but she also wanted to be able to contribute in a positive way to someone else’s life. Amlotte said, “The pet is probably stressed because the owner is away and the owner is stressed because they are away. I like being able to help take away stress on both sides. It’s very rewarding on an emotional level.” She explained, “Many pets are going to be the most comfortable in their own home; especially for cats because they don’t like change. While boarding your dog can allow for more socialization, it can also be too stressful for some dogs. Pet sittters mimic a regular routine in which the owner is gone during the day and comes home at night.” Sometimes a pet owner has a neighbor or friend who is willing to help, but Amlotte shared that unfortunately she

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continued from page 19 has heard of “hobby sitters” flaking out, which means that owners have had to cut their vacation short. Amlotte notes that references, insurance, and back-up plans are a must. “What would the pet sitter do if there was a fire? Do they have an extra set of keys in case they lock themselves out? A professional would think about these things in advance.” In addition, professional pet sitters are able to care for pets with special needs because they have more experience than a “hobby sitter.” “It’s not even so much about taking care of pets, but it’s more involved than that,” Amlotte continued, “The goal is to provide peace of mind. One way I do that is to keep in touch with the owners (not any more than they want to though) by briefing them with an email about the visit. When a pet owner gets away, they want to relax and know that their pets and house are ok. Things like forgetting to lock the front door won’t happen with a professional pet sitter.” The owner of Dogone-It, Marlee, has been pet sitting for 15 years. She works 7 days a week and loves every minute of it! She works with all kinds of animals and goes above and beyond for her clients. Marlee will board little dogs cratefree at her house and incorporates them as part of her family. She will also go to a client’s house 2-3 times a day, feed, play/ exercise, bring in the mail, clean up after the pet, reassure the pet, and take them to the vet or groomer if needed and prearranged with the client. She also offers training help and specializes in house breaking problems. When asked about her client satisfaction, Marlee replied, “I once had a client change the date of her trip in order to have me pet sit her dog for her—that really spoke volumes to me.” If you think your pet would do better in a boarding facility, Castaic Canine Camp owner, Linda Chisholm, has been in business since 2007 and remarked that the benefit of boarding your dog at her facility is that the dogs receive “24 hour care, training, and socialization. They get unlimited playtime and are crated only at night. My belief is that a tired dog is a good dog.” Castaic Canine Camp is happy to meet the needs of a client’s pet, which includes feeding a special diet, taking care of medical needs, they even have a trainer on site to help with any behavior or obedience training. If an owner doesn’t think their dog is social with other dogs, then they will work on that issue. Chisholm commented, “Many dog owners are surprised that their dog does get a long with other dogs.” Chisholm strongly suggests, “Pet owners should definitely visit the facility ahead of time in order to meet the people who work there, 20 Pet Me! Magazine™

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get an idea of what your pet’s stay will be like, and to get any questions answered that they may have.” Crystal Rose, owner of Canine Country Club in Santa Clarita, also recommends that pet owners look at the boarding facility before they drop their animal off, “You can stop by our facility any time [during business hours] for a tour, no appointment necessary.” Rose has worked in the pet business for the last 23 years and has sage advice for pet owners who call and have questions about boarding their pet. Rose commented, “There are many benefits to boarding your pet. Foremost, a pet owner needs to know that their pet is safe and being watched by loving pet care professionals. Additionally, pets get lonely and need to be stimulated to help them stay out of trouble!” Canine Country Club strives to provide pets a home away from home. Rose said, “We keep them clean and comfy. We feed them the same way they are fed at home. We medicate them if needed. But especially, we give them lots of love, exercise, and attention.” Rose commented that the most common concern pet owners have is for their loved one’s safety. “For 30 years, Canine Country Club has made pet comfort and safety our priority. We have staff who live on the property and check the animals after hours and give treats. Plus, we have our veterinarian friends on call 24 hours a day.” When asked about positive feedback from pet owners, Rose

said, “Our best feedback is our huge following of repeat customers and referrals. We love hearing about how clean and beautiful our facility is.” Rose and her husband have made many improvements in the past year since taking ownership of Canine Country Club, and their goal is to continue providing excellent care for pets. Whether you are going on vacation for a week or getting away for the weekend, make sure you thoroughly research the pet sitter or boarding facility of your choice to make sure the right match is made. Hopefully you will have the peace of mind you need to enjoy your time off, and your pet will also have a great time in your absence.

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Furever Purr Rescue To adopt one of these pets, please contact us at (661) 255-9979 or (818) 635-6473. All of our kitties are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, micro-chipped, de-wormed, treated for fleas, and have been tested for FeLV/FIV. Several of our cats and kittens are showcased locally at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop in the Valencia Town Center Mall. Photos courtesy of That Spunky Monkey Photography.

Penelope – Dumped at

the shelter with her babies, only one of her kittens would survive. Despite the turmoil Penelope remained thankful and loving and focused on playtime with her remaining baby. Her baby was adopted and now it is her turn. Penelope has so much to offer. If you are looking for a sweet little girl to snuggle in bed with, watch television, sip coffee on the patio… Penelope is your girl!

Apollo – Apollo is a little

love! His signature golden markings are absolutely stunning. He is full of energy and ready for a home to call his own.

Coconut – I’m 1.5 years old and was rescued from the shelter after being dumped there while I was pregnant. My babies were born in a cold, steel cage. I was alone and frightened and unfortunately, only one of my kittens survived. My kitten and I were eventually rescued and brought to safety. Despite having been through so much, I have a lot of love to give and a sweet disposition to share. 22 Pet Me! Magazine™

Daphne – Daphne is the

sweetest little girl. Her semicross eyes are adorable. She is 3 months old and full of personality!

Katarina – Meet Katarina! She was rescued from a high kill shelter. This lovely petite girl would love to find a home of her own. She is good with other cats and dogs! She is a bit shy when she first meets someone. Katarina is playful and fun! She is less than one year old up to date on shots, spay, micro-chipped and has tested neg for felv/fiv. Dallas – I’m a 2-year-old long hair Tuxedo. I’m very sweet and enjoy hanging out and relaxing. I’m pretty low maintenance, and I get along with other kitties. I would love a home with an enclosed patio where I could relax and soak up the sun. One of my favorite past times is bird watching. My best feature is my lush coat... EVERYONE comments on it!