Cutting Pet Care Costs

Unfortunately the down turn in the economy has trickled down to companion animals. There are numerous stories from around the country detailing the number of people abandoning pets because of the costs.

It is always helpful to find ways to help cut costs and the blog over at the ASPCA has some great tips. The full article is here, but below are some of the tips they mention:

1. Go to the Vet!
“A number-one money-saver is preventative veterinary care,” says Dr. Z. Annual veterinary exams can catch health crises early on and can save you a lot of time and money.
2. Give Your Pet Regular Check-Ups
3. Vaccinate Wisely
Not all vaccinations are necessarily required
4. Spay/Neuter Your Pets
5. Invest in Training
A well trained dog is in fewer accidents
6. Consider Pet Insurance
7. Save Up for the Future
8. Serve Healthy Food in Moderate Portions
Cheaper foods will cost you in the long run
9. Shop Around
10. Groom Your Pets at Home

RIP Harold

Harold was a dog like many other dogs. The circumstances in which he came into our lives and the lessons he taught our family are something I will remember always. Thank you Katherine, Alana and Lila.

International Pet Travel - KLM Animal Hotel

By Dana Siler, Animal Land's Senior International Personal Move Counselor

One of the most important services we provide is choosing the correct airline. For international pet shipping, KLM is one of the best.

They have a dedicated Animal Hotel where all pets are held during transit. Here are some excerpts from their website:

KLM Cargo Animal Hotel – a home away from home
Dogs and cats deserve the comfort and attention we give to our passengers. The cargo compartments in our aircraft are temperature controlled and pressurised, ensuring that your pet travels under the best possible climate conditions.

When in transfer at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, your pet will visit the KLM Cargo Animal Hotel. Although you cannot visit your pet at the Animal Hotel, you can rest assured it will always benefit from that KLM trademark – dedicated care and attention.

At the Animal Hotel, our own specially trained Animal Attendants will look after your pet as if it were their own. They’ll temporarily house your cat or dog in a larger kennel and give it food and water. They’ll even provide KLM Cargo’s dog-walking service – a service that’s unique in the airline business.

KLM Cargo’s Animal Hotel meets and even exceeds the high European standards in quality and hygiene. Before travelling onward, the kennel will be thoroughly cleaned. Both your pet and its facilities will be fresh and ready to travel on.

Plants and Animals - Be Careful!

From Amy Christy, International Personal Move Counselor

As an avid gardener for years (and wannabe Master Gardener), I used to haphazardly plant my flower gardens, throwing in just about anything that would yield that "Cottage Garden" look. However, as the years passed, I became horrified to learn that some of the plants in my landscape were actually poisonous to animals. Without a second thought, I began ripping out beds of suspect flowering perennials, morning glories, and beautiful Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea, which are used to make the heart medicine "digitalis" - one of the most poisonous plants in existence!). To this day, I refuse to have a Poinsettia in my house during the holidays. My pets' safety must come first!

It is always best to consider all plants poisonous unless you know otherwise. Dogs and cats can become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Please always keep all unknown types of plants and any plants suspected of being poisonous out of reach of your pet. If in doubt, consult with your veterinarian or check the list of Toxic Plants provided by the ASCPA. While this list may not be all inclusive, it is a good start to ensure that the plants in your garden and your home are safe for your furry friends.

Taking Pets to Belgium - International Pet Shipping

Belgium is a popular destination for many of our clients. It is a financial center in Europe as well as being home to many world organizations including the European Union and NATO.

Getting there is relatively easy. Each pet will need:

1) Microchip;
2) Rabies shot between 30 days and a year old;
3) EU Health Certificate, Endorsed by the USDA – We have a fully editable copy which we will provide for you. We will also provide you with the address for the appropriate USDA office.
4) International Health Certificate - Most Vets carry the APHIS Form 7001. If not, we can instruct them on where to get it.

Where to Stay - Once you are there, there Crowne Plaza in both Brussels and Antwerp will allow pets. There may be some restrictions, so make sure to ask and let them know you will be bringing a pet.

Of course, once there it would be a shame not to take Rover for a romp through the famed Cinquantenaire Park.

My Pet Moving Experience - Sunni Chernega

Sunni is a Member of Animal Land's Sales Team

When I accepted a job at Animal Land, I was thrilled to get the chance to work with loving pet owners and a pet crazy staff! But, having recently relocated to Atlanta, I was missing my Jacka-wa-wa (Jack Russell/Chihuahua), Veto, who stayed behind in Ohio until I could find a suitable place to live.

Once I located the perfect place for Veto and I to call home, the decision to move him to Atlanta was made. The dilemma...How would I get him there? The idea of flying a pet had always scared me and Veto is a rescued pet with high anxiety which only increased my fears. But, the more I learned about moving pets and the more I got to know our caring staff, the better I felt about the idea. I decided to let our domestic pet move counselor, Ann Patsell, handle the move for me. Ann booked the flight for Veto and lined up an agent in Ohio to pick him up and take him to the airport. In no time Ann had the move set up and I started getting excited about being reunited with my little buddy!

My dear friend (and NOW one of our international pet move counselors), Amy Christy, was keeping Veto for me in Ohio. Amy called to let me know that our agent had picked him up and that Veto was on his way to the airport. Amy was very impressed by our agent and how he handled Veto. It wasn't long after that that Amy made the decision to join the Animal Land team as well!!

I arrived at the cargo facility in Atlanta about an hour early (just couldn't wait!). The gentleman behind the desk was very nice and let me wait inside, he even let me have the remote to the T.V.! But, surely enough, thoughts of how Veto might be traumatized by his adventure started racing through my head. Would he be scared? Would act differently after this? Was this the right decision for such a fragile little dog? My questions were answered when he finally arrived...his tail was wagging so hard when he saw me, it brought tears to my eyes. I could hardly wait to get him home! He was the same little man he had always been!

Since that day, I have had the privilege of working with so many of our wonderful clients and their precious pets. I often tell them about my own experience with our company and what a satisfied customer I once was. There is no feeling like locking eyes with your pet after he safely arrives at your new home!

A Pet's Ten Commandments to All Humans

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so. ALWAYS!

The Importance of Companion Animals or Why People Ship Their Pets

Anyone who has ever owned a pet has experienced the emotional benefits which come from forming a special bond with another. Some are better at expressing it than others, but most agree it exists.

The July, 2008 American Journal of Critical Care contains an excellent article titled “The Healing Power of the Human-Animal Connection”. This article is a review of scientific studies that document the effects of animal-assisted therapy and animal companions on humans. It is yet another study which shows significant health benefits in many situations.

There are some truly remarkable findings, including:

• Among human cardiac patients, having a pet is correlated with increased likelihood of one-year survival.
• Interacting with pets helps improve blood flow patterns in humans with heart failure.
• Pet visits in a hospital setting cause patients to report less pain.
• Hospitalized children report that animal-assisted therapy motivates them to get better.

Even more remarkable is that such positive perceptions were not limited to patients and families. The study reports "Nurses believed the presence of animals made the work environment happier and more interesting, with no negative impact on space or work flow."

The paper goes on to point out that not only do the presence of pets aid in healing, but owning a pet may make it less likely that a person will end up in the hospital in the first place.

People who own companion animals report a highly significant reduction in minor health problems and significant improvements in psychological well-being in the first month after acquiring an animal. Households with dogs also showed an increase of 400% to 500% in walking.

Truly remarkable.

Kids and Dogs - How to Teach Kids to Safely Pet Dogs

We have all experienced the "awwwwww" moment of seeing a cute dog and wanting to go up and grab it around the neck. If you are a parent, you have probably also experienced the anxiety of having your child run up to a strange dog and wondering if the dog was friendly.

Teaching a child how to safely approach and pet a dog is incredibly important for parent and child alike. The Victor Valley Daily Press has a great article with valuable tips:

Some experts suggest having the child putting out a closed fist or a hand with palm upraised, others say just stand there. But all agree: let the dog decide whether to approach the child. Don’t hold a dog still in your lap for petting, and respect the dog’s decision if it turns away or moves behind the owner.

If the dog does approach, observe the body language. Don’t concentrate on the tail, it can be hard to read. Pelar says, “I tell people that if they’re looking at the tail, they’re watching the wrong end of the dog.”

Instead, the mouth can give a lot of clues. A dog that’s licking lips, panting excessively, or yawning, is showing that he’s not comfortable. These are oral self-soothing behaviors much like sucking your thumb, says Pelar. In contrast - opposite of the common maternal fear of the teeth showing - if the dog’s mouth is open, that’s a sign that it’s relaxed.

With Summer in full swing, it is worth the read for those inevitable canine-kid encounters.

Shipping Pets to Portugal

Portugal is a beautiful country nestled on the Atlantic and home to over 2000 years of history. It is a favorite relocation spot for many of our clients and we wanted to list a primer on how to get your companion animals there.

In order to enter, each pet will need:

1) Microchip.

2) All animals need to have Full Vaccinations.

Dogs: DHLPP and Rabies between 30 days and a year old. Cats: FVRCP, and Rabies between 30 days and a year old.

3) EU Health Certificate, Endorsed by the USDA – We have a fully editable copy which we will provide for you. We will also provide you with the address for the appropriate USDA office.

4) International Health Certificate - Most Vets carry the APHIS Form 7001. If not, we can instruct them on where to get it.

There are some additional requirements for custom's clearance, including a copy of your passport, however we will give you the particulars.

As Lisbon is a very pet friendly place, there is much you can do with your pet once you get there.

Porto Marina is located near the Vilamoura Marina, with its extensive selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and night life. Fully self-contained these cosy 1 bedroom apartments enjoy lovely views over the gardens and swimming pool. Pets are most welcome and they ask that you bring your pet a blanket so that he can enjoy the furniture.

Casa Wladival is in Dornes, a along the river Zezêre where you travel back to a time of myths, legends and mystery. You and your pets are welcome and you may walk together in the nearby woods or along the river as well as in town. Dogs do need to be on a leash while on the premises.

KLM Restricts the Import of Puppies to the EU

Apparently there has been quite a problem with puppy mills sending unvaccinated puppies and kittens into EU Member Countries.

Consequently, the VMA (The Netherlands equivalent of the USDA/FDA) has decreed that puppies and kittens which are not vaccinated against rabies may not enter The Netherlands, NOR may the transit through Amsterdam to other destinations. This is a vital ruling as KLM's is one of the primary airlines used to safely transport companion animals and Amsterdam is KLM's hub.

As a practical matter, this means that pets must be at least 16 weeks old before they can travel on KLM as most Vets will not vaccinate against rabies until the pet is 12 weeks old, and then regulations require the rabies vaccine to be at least 30 days old before travel.

This new rule only applies to un-accompanied pets and not when the owner is on the same flight.

EU Member Countries

We often post regarding "EU Regulations". As it is not always easy to tell, we wanted to publish a complete list of the countries which are officially members of the EU. The complete Wikipedia definition is HERE.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Continental's Pet Safe Program

Here is a video about Continental's Pet Safe program. In our opinion, Continental is absolutely the best airline for shipping your pet and this video gives you a great idea about how the process works.

**BIG CAVEAT** While this video is made and distributed by Continental Airlines, we are a bit surprised about the size of the kennel they used for the dog featured in the video. In our experience, Continental would refuse this shipment because the kennel is too small.

However it is a good visual guide. For a dog that size, get the next kennel size up! (which would be a #400 kennel 36x24x26). For a good guide on how to measure your pet for travel, see our post HERE.

Got Skunk?

By Amy Christy - International Personal Move Counselor

Last month, one of my dogs, Nettie, managed to stumble across a skunk.... and on this ill-fated day, the skunk won! We have lived in the country for many years and have been very fortunate that all of our dogs have somehow managed to escape the dreaded encounter with "Pepe Le Pew." This particular evening, however, we were not so lucky, as the tell-tale aroma kept getting closer and closer as Nettie approached us from the field...

Because it was an evening when the vet was not open, I resorted to the internet for immediate home remedies. While there were numerous suggestions offered by other unfortunate dog owners facing the same dilemna, many of them appeared to be myths (such as bathing your dog in tomato juice, which we didn't even want to try, as we did not want to turn her beautiful white coat pink)! The following solution seemed to be the "tried and true" method attested to by many. I raced to the nearest Walmart for the suggested ingredients - lots of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda!

Here is the recipe that worked for us - we had to make it in larger quantities to accommodate Nettie's size and thick coat:
1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap

Don't wet your dog down first. Put the mixture on your dog while your dog is still dry. Lather up your pooch, leave on for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat once if needed (sometimes the first shot will get most of the odor but not quite all). If your dog still has a skunk "fragrance" the next day, repeat the procedure.

Be certain not to get the mixture into any of your dog's membranes (eyes, ears, nose, etc). It is best to apply this solution as soon as your dog is "skunked" and before the spray has the opportunity to seep into the skin. Nettie did have her annual vet visit several weeks after this encounter, and our veterinarian indicated this procedure was both safe and effective. However, if in doubt, ALWAYS check with your veterinarian first! And of course, if your dog appears to have been bitten, rush to the veterinarian right away!

The Most Agressive Dogs on the Planet

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently did a study to determine the most aggressive breed of dog. It was determined that 1 in 5 of the "winning" breed have bitten or tried to bite a stranger with a similar number having attacked other dogs.

Which breed to you think it was?

A. Pit Bull
B. German Shepherd
C. Chihuahua
D. Rottweiler
E. Dachshund
F. Doberman

The answer is E. By the way, C was second. Strange, but true.

Other notable findings were that Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers and Greyhounds were all found to be very low on the aggression scale.

Trivia: Dachshund means "badger dogs" in German.

Delta's New Policy for Pet Shipping

This summer Delta has implemented a new Pet First program for shipping pets.

It appears to be well intended, however there are aspects which pet owners will have to pay attention to when shipping their companion animals.

"No Heat Restrictions on Direct Flights" - Apparently Delta will accept any pet, regardless of the temperature, if they are booked on a direct flight. They have stated a commitment to retrieve all companion animals within 15 minutes of flights landing.

While this certainly sounds good we strongly advise you not place your companion animals on a Delta flight where it is going to be above 90 degrees. This is not a hard and fast rule as there may be days in Portland, OR where it would be ok, however it is a good guideline.

Atlanta, which is Delta's hub, may be the sole exception as their are several air conditioned vans which meet the flights upon landing. However, caution should still be exercised.

"Acclimation Certificate" - In order to place your pet on a plane when it is above 85 degrees, you will have to get an Acclimation Certificate from your vet. The thought is your vet will know the maximum temperature your pet can endure. There is no template published so you and your vet will have to improvise. The Acclimation Certificate is a prerequisite to flying your pet.

"Soft Launch" - Delta has decided to role out the program in bits and pieces. What this means is most likely inconsistent information. Consequently you should check and double check the bookings as well as confirm right before you leave for the airport.

Delta is certainly making strides, however until the program is more fully developed pet owners are well advised to keep their pets out of the heat.

Just in Time for Summer . . .

America's Best Beaches for Dogs from our friends at America's Best Online!

When planning your tropical vacation this summer, consider visiting a beach that is dog friendly! Who says your 4 legged friend should have to stay home while you have all the fun? There are many beaches that will allow you to bring your dog with you. The top 10 dog friendly beaches are below:

1. Fort DeSoto Beach, FL
2. Dog Beach, CA
3. St. George Island, FL
4. Carmel City Beach, CA
5. Cape San Blas, FL
6. Hunting Island, SC
7. Fort Funston, St Park, CA
8. Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoitn, OR
9. Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, NC
10. Jekyll Island, FL

A Healthy Pet Will Travel With Ease

By Valerie Marshall, Animal Land's Director of Marketing

Diet is always the first line of defense and is the foundation of health. A pet of sound mind and body will deal with the stress of traveling easier.

If your companion is consuming highly processed food that provides only minimal nutrition and includes any number of toxins such as chemical preservatives, food dyes, additives and fillers, his immune system is being depleted daily just to cope with his diet. Fresh food is the first step in building a strong immune system. Many people wait until their animal has a serious or chronic illness such as cancer, kidney disease or allergies (to name a few), to finally change the diet. Prevention is so much kinder and immeasurably more effective. Feeding a varied diet that includes as much fresh food as possible does take a bit more effort than scooping kibble out of a bag, but it is truly worth the effort in the long run.

One of the benefits of a healthy diet is a healthy gastrointestinal tract. If the digestive tract is weakened by inflammation from allergies or inflammatory bowel disease or other digestive disorders, even the nutrients in a healthy diet are harder to process and absorb. Healing and maintaining the digestive tract is vital to overall health and immunity. Digestive enzymes, probiotics and essential fatty acids all play a role in gastrointestinal health and proper digestion.

Exercise must also be mentioned for its role in helping build and maintain a strong immune system. Moderate exercise has been shown to improve immune factors in humans and animals. Weight control is also key – overweight animals are much more susceptible to chronic and acute diseases and infections. Proper diet AND exercise are needed to help with weight control.

Keep your pet's health in mind during the preparation of your move. It is just as important as acclimating your pet to his new travel crate. Make the commitment and the whole family will enjoy the venture more.

Happy travels,

Valerie Marshall