Tips for Finding a Long-Term Care Community that Meets Your Needs and Welcomes Your Pet

If you’re transitioning into assisted living, may be stressing over being able to find a community that meets all your needs. Also, accepts your furry family member. Forbes states approximately 75 percent of all senior communities welcome pets. You’ll still need to find the right fit for you. Consider your budget and your animal companion.  You’ll want to make sure that the living space is right to accommodate you and your pet.

Whether you share your life with a cat, dog, rabbit, or bird, finding a pet-friendly assisted living facility isn’t always simple. However, it isn’t impossible either. Tips help you to find the right assisted living community for you and your pet, Pampered Pet Sitting invites you to read on!

 List of the Community Must-Haves

As you begin to search for a pet-friendly assisted living community, make a list of the features your animal companion will need to be happy and healthy in your new home. Cats, rabbits, and birds require less space than a large dog would, but you’ll still need plenty of room for your cat to play and your rabbit to obtain hours of run time each day.

Depending on your pet’s needs, you might also need:

• Safe, well-lit outdoor space for walking and exercising your pet.
• Help with walking and/or caring for your pet.
• Access to nearby veterinary centers.
• Assistance in cleaning your pet’s litter box or cage.
• Access to local pet food and supplies.

Don’t Forget About Your Own Needs

While your pet’s housing needs are very important, your wants and needs are what matter most in this type of situation. As such, it’s best to search for pet-friendly assisted living communities that fit your location preferences and lifestyle. The community you choose should also feature the facilities and amenities you want most in a senior living community, such as a private bedroom, pool area, fitness center, or onsite activities. To find the right community for you, be sure to tour multiple facilities before making a decision.

Paying for Assisted Living Community

In addition to finding a community that’s a good fit, it’s also important to take cost into consideration. Because Medicare doesn’t provide coverage for assisted living, many people choose to purchase long-term care insurance. Though the premiums for this policy can be fairly expensive the older you are. If LTC insurance isn’t an option, you can fund your new living arrangement through savings.  Perhaps by selling your home. Depending on the equity you’ve built up,  proceeds from selling your home could be enough.  It may cover a significant amount of time in your new community.

Simplify Life as a Senior Pet Owner

If you move into a senior community that fits your budget and lifestyle but doesn’t meet all your pet’s needs, there are other ways to give your animal companion the things he or she needs to stay happy and healthy. For instance, you may sign up to have pet food and supplies delivered directly to your home if you don’t have a vehicle or live near a pet supply store, or you can connect with Pampered Pet Sitting to help with the weekly litter box cleanup.

In addition to hiring someone to help with the litter box and ordering pet supplies, consider ways to make life easier. Maybe now is the time to splurge on a pet water fountain or an automatic feeder.

A Final Word

As we age, our need for animal companionship becomes greater than ever — especially when we live alone. While many assisted living communities recognize this and accommodate senior residents with pets, it’s important that we take the time to find a facility that best fits our pet’s needs as well as our budget and lifestyle.

 

Everything to know about obtaining pet passports

Want to travel all around the world or move to another country? Want to bring your cat or another pet along? You will need a Pet Passport.

After everything you went through together, there’s no way that you’ll leave your fluffy friend behind.

Well, same as you, it’ll need a passport to cross the border. If you don’t know how to get it, don’t worry. This article will teach you everything you need to know about pet passports. 

That said, depending on where you’re planning to go, you might need additional documentation. Each country has its own set of rules and requirements you’ll have to fulfill. So, moving long-distance with a cat is possible, but you’ll have to look into what you’ll need to do it.

In essence, a pet passport shows that your pet is healthy and that it can travel. Let’s see how to get it in the US.

How to get a pet passport in the USA?

Book an appointment with your vet

The vet is the first stop on your journey. However, before you make an appointment, make sure that it’s federally accredited. When you call them, tell them about the purpose of your visit so they can prepare for it.

They’ll ask you about which countries you plan to visit and administer the required vaccinations and treatments accordingly. Once it’s all done, your pet will get an official health certificate. And when you have it, you can go to the next step.

Need for Pet Passport USDA

embossing/stamping

If you want to take your pet outside the US, you must send all the relevant paperwork to the State USDA office first. You can visit their site to learn about the regulations in the country you want to go to, or call them and ask for assistance.

Either way, you’ll learn what exactly you need to do to prepare your feline or pet for the travel.

What are the basic requirements for a pet passport?

If you did everything by the book, your pet might be able to get the passport right away. To check this, take a look at the basic requirements. Your pet will need the following:

• Rabies vaccination
• Health certificate
• USDA endorsement 

Rabies vaccination will be a must for most countries if you have a dog, cat, or a ferret. Dogs will also need it to come back to the country once you’re done with your travels. Also, it’s important to mention that to enter most places, your pet will need to be vaccinated at least 28 days before you get there.

We already explained the process of getting a health certificate and USDA endorsement, so we won’t talk about them again.

Standard requirements for entering other countries

The next thing we want to tackle in our guide on everything you need to know about pet passports is the additional requirements that other places around the world might have. Naturally, if you want to move to the other side of the world with your cat and have an easy and stress-free experience, you’ll need to learn about them. So, here are some of the most common things you might expect.

Pet microchipping

In the US, you don’t have to microchip your pet to get a passport. On the other hand, in the EU and UK, So, if you’re planning to get there, you’ll need it.

Doing this to your pet may sound scary to you, but it isn’t. It’s a quick process that you can get done in your local vet clinic. And although it isn’t a must, it’s recommended you do this. If your cat or dog goes missing one day, you’ll be able to get it back a lot more easily if it has a chip. 

Pet Passport Requirement Rabies titer test

A rabies titer test, or rabies blood test as it’s sometimes called, is another typical requirement. A vet will take a sample of your pet’s blood, and they’ll send it for testing to make sure it has a sufficient amount of rabies antibody. 

If you need to get it, give yourself at least two months to do it. You’ll have to wait 28 days after the vaccination, and the results often need up to a month to get back. Moreover, you’ll need to get it done between 30 and 180 days before your travel day. Plan carefully to avoid any nasty surprises later. 

Import license for pets

To enter some counties with your feline friend, you’ll need to have an import license or permit. Most of the time, you can apply for these online, and you won’t have to go through a lot of hustle to get them. 

However, that doesn’t mean you can leave it for the last day. Inform yourself about the process at least a month before you move, so you have enough time to do it. Then, all you should do is learn how to introduce your cat to a new home, and you’re all set. 

How much does a pet passport cost in the US?

You can expect to spend anywhere between $40 and $1,100 to get a passport for your cat. The cost will vary depending on the clinics you go to and the countries you’re planning to visit. 

Here’s a list so you can calculate what figure you’ll need to pay:

• Rabies vaccination: Between $15 to $20. Some charities offer it for free. 
• Health certificate: Anywhere between $25-$250. Again, you can get it for free.
• Pet microchipping: $25-$60. Some charities will do it for free.
• Rabies titer test: $80-$150
• USDA embossing: $38
• Import permit: It depends on the country you’re going to.

How long does it take to get everything sorted? 

The process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months from start to finish. It all depends on the country you’re visiting or moving to. The more additional documents you need, the longer it will take.

To make sure you’ll get there in time, start your research as soon as possible and follow the tips to keep cats healthy in the meantime. On top of that, we advise you to inform your vet about your travel plans. They’ll be of great help here, so it’s good to engage them early.

And that’s everything you need to know about pet passports. We hope you have found some valuable information here, and we wish you happy and safe travel.

 

 

Cats are creatures of habit. Sitting in the same window same spot on the couch day after day. Most cats do not respond well to changes to their daily routine. They may not know what to do when they become a disabled cat. You may find that your little furry friend is confused and doesn’t know what to do. You can step up and learn how to care for a cat that is disabled.

Disabled Cat Limit Outdoor Time

While some cats prefer staying inside, others love the great outdoors. No matter what type of disabled cat you have, you need to limit the time they spend outside. Never allow your disabled cat to spend time outdoors unless you or another responsible human is there. It’s also helpful to invest in a harness that fits the cat properly. This harness allows your cat to explore while you keep them within reach.

Follow a Set Schedule for Disabled Cat

Disabled cats often do well when they follow a set routine or schedule. This is especially true of those that have hearing or vision problems. Cats that have trouble walking or running will also like knowing exactly when it’s time to eat and do other things. Sit down and think about the things that your cat does with you and other humans as well as when they’re on their own or with other animals. Divide the day into different periods when they can do those things. You might serve meals at specific times and play with the cat or change its litter box at the same time every day.

Change Your Home

You need to make some changes to your home to both keep your cat comfortable and safe. This often means adding a pet or baby gate if you have a home with more than one story. This gate will keep the cat confined and prevent injuries caused by the cat falling down the stairs. You may want to install a small set of steps to help the cat get into your bed or a specific window. If you let the cat sleep in your bed, it’s helpful to keep the door closed at night to make sure they don’t get out.

Spend Time with Disabled Cat

Making time for your pet is one of the best things you can do as the owner of a cat with a disability. If you adopt a disabled cat, you might find that the pet is nervous and afraid of people because the previous owner(s) gave it up. For cats that become disabled later, you’ll notice that it seems upset at the things they can no longer do. Making time for your pet lets them know that you love them and that even if other things change, they can always rely on you.

Consider the Expense

Caring for a disabled cat is often more expensive than owning a healthy cat because you need to go to the vet so often. You should always put back some money to cover those appointments. If you have a tight budget, look into cat insurance. While some policies will not cover disabled cats, you can choose a policy for any cat you own today. If that cat becomes disabled later, your policy will cover some or all of the extra care your cat needs.

Disabled cats need just as much love as healthy cats do and a little more love. Taking care of one of these pets will require that you make time for them and change your home to help them stay safe and comfortable.

Author Bio

Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who after graduating from the University of Colorado spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe and Comfortable When Relocating

Relocating can be a complex and daunting project for anyone. But when you have a dog, there are even more factors to consider. Canines are resilient creatures, but that doesn’t mean that a major life change won’t have an impact on them.

That’s why it’s important to think about your furry family member during each step of the moving process. Fortunately, there are practical ways to keep them calm and comfortable while you pick up your life and take it to another home. Pampered Pet Sitting shares some simple tips for moving and settling into a new home with your furry friend.

Relocating Preparations

First, you need to make sure you have all the logistics of your move in place. This means arranging for professional movers, allowing yourself enough time to pack, securing employment, learning about your new neighborhood, etc. Having things prepared will make it much easier to care for your dog during the hectic moving process.

Keep in mind that you not only need to think about changes you’ll need to make to the house for your pet but changes you’ll need to make for yourself. Perhaps the kids need a safe play area in the backyard, you need an office for remote work, or you’re a senior who needs to make some aging-in-place modifications. Whatever the needs, work these into your preparation plan. Also, think about how you can save money on your relocation, especially if you’re on a tight budget. For example, if there are any family members or friends in or around your new city, ask them if you can live with them temporarily as you get your bearings. Of course, you also have to confirm that they can accommodate your pup.

Prepare your Dog for Relocating

Routine is critical for animals, so try to keep your routine as close to normal as possible in the days leading up to the move. Also, since moving boxes, furniture, and other objects can cause stress for dogs, consider introducing them to the moving boxes days before you begin packing. This will allow your dog to adjust to the new layout, which will help them stay comfortable when it’s time to move things out of the home. Moreover, take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup before heading out of town. This will allow you to stay ahead of potential health issues, get any necessary vaccines, and collect any documentation necessary for your new vet office. VetHelpDirect advises making sure your pup’s ID collar and microchip are up-to-date.

Get them used to the carrier

On moving day, you want to use a high-quality pet carrier. The carrier should be durable, comfortable, and designed for travel. It also needs to be the right size! It’s best to introduce your dog to their new carrier a few weeks before moving day so that they can get used to it and stay calm during travel.

Prepare Your Cat for Relocating

 To keep your cat safe and comfortable on moving day, plan on keeping them in their carrier all day—or at least until you get moved into the new home. This is especially important if you have to drive a long distance to your new city. Keep your dog in the carrier throughout the entire trip; letting them out here and there to placate them could result in them darting off and getting lost. Another thing to consider is having someone watch your pet while you handle moving day responsibilities.  Asking family members, friends, or pet care services are all viable options for getting top-notch care for your fur baby!

After Relocating Set Up Space

Finally, when it’s time to start settling into your new home, Daily Paws notes the importance of establishing a place for your dog right away. Introduce them to one room at a time, and make sure there is familiar furniture, decor, and other items around. Moreover, set up their food, water, and toys to help them acclimate to their new living environment.

Remove Hazards

If you let your dog outdoors in the backyard, carefully go through your yard to remove any potential hazards. One thing you’ll definitely want to consider is adding a fence around your yard to protect your dog from wild animals and other dogs that could wander onto your property. To find reputable fence installers, search online for fence companies to learn about nearby contractors and view their ratings. You can save on installation by using more affordable materials like wood.

Challenges Of Relocating

Don’t forget about your dog while you’re navigating the challenges of relocating. Consider the tips above for keeping your pup safe and comfortable throughout the process. And above all, be sure to show your dog a little extra love and attention as your family transitions into the next chapter of your lives!

A trusted source in the Warrensburg area, Pampered Pet Sitting has been providing highly skilled, reliable, and responsible pet care for 24 years. Give us a call today for more info! 660-747-3554

 

 

 

The Secret Behind Starting Your Business While Welcoming a New Pet

Starting your business is a major decision that involves planning and conviction. Choosing to get a pet at the same time adds a challenging layer on top of it. However, if done right, both these aspects can bring you immense happiness and success. The key is to be organized, devote the necessary time to both your pet and business. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that you can run a successful business while catering to your new companion, presented by Pampered Pet Sitting.

Create a Routine with New Business and Pet

Your business and your pet are both major responsibilities. To ensure that you manage both well, it is important to create a schedule and stick to it. This can include spending time with your pet in the morning and then devoting your time to work until it’s time for lunch.

To help free up time as your business begins, take care of some of the more time-consuming tasks before starting your venture. This includes aspects of marketing, like creating a logo, an important part of your branding and messaging efforts. If graphic design is not your forte, utilize tools you can easily find by Googling “logo creator online free”.

you customize a standout logo that you can use on social media, your website, letterhead, and on your business cards. Blogger Heather Moulder points out that having a schedule will help you maintain a good work-life balance. Running your own business is understandably stressful. Allocating time to be with your pet is a great stress buster. Additionally, spending time with pets reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and improves cardiovascular health.

Take advantage of various scheduling apps available online such as Google Calendar, Trello, and more. Encourage your employees to use the same app as well to improve collaboration and timely execution of tasks.

Cater to Your Pet’s Needs

The first days after you bring your pet home is a crucial time. It is important to help pets settle in and feel comfortable in their new surroundings. If your pet is trainable, it is advisable to hire a trainer as it can benefit both you and the pet.

While you focus on your work, your pet can have company and learn good habits. Managing your business while training a pet can get overwhelming. Additionally, training takes time and consistency, something which is best done by a professional.

Depending on the type of pet you have, you can also buy gadgets such as an automatic ball launcher, self-cleaning litter box, smart feeders, and more to improve their quality of life.

Furthermore, it is also important to create a bond between you and your pet. They need to learn to trust and feel safe around them. They can spend time with you in your home office, or if that’s too much of a distraction, make sure you spend ample time with them each day after work.

 Business Needs to Hire Reliable Employees

As the owner, you need to have a good, reliable team for your business to be successful. You need to be confident in delegating responsibilities to your team. Delegating will increase the efficiency of your business and also allow you to give the required attention to your pet.

Additionally, Fintech Weekly notes that managing finances is an integral part of running a business. Having good payroll software allows you to manage the payment of wages, tax calculations, benefits, withholding, and more. It’s also a good idea to utilize field management software to keep your service techs on schedule. Software that simplifies scheduling, provides real-time updates, and allows you to create on-the-spot invoices can help you get paid faster and schedule jobs quicker.

Furthermore, it’s advisable to hire good human resources personnel to ensure your business complies with the labor laws of your state. The laws vary from state to state, with some states having more complex labor laws.

Managing Business and Pet

Managing your business and your pet together can be challenging at first. However, having a pet will help you to manage your work stress, while at the same time having a good team around you will enable you to achieve your goals and run a successful business.

Help When You Are Away

Pampered Pet Sitting provides you with peace of mind and security knowing your pets are in loving, dependable hands while you are away. Reach out to us today! 660-747-3554

Winter weather is here, and that means it’s time to prepare to care for your pet through the cold months. While many dogs and cats will be just fine until spring arrives. However, others have special circumstances that require your attention. Here are a few tips from Pampered Pet Sitting on helping you keep your animal healthy without denting your budget.

Understanding Winter Worries

If you’ve never had a pet during the winter before, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. The first is that frostbite is possible if temperatures dip too low. Even if you have a dog with a thick, long coat, its tail, nose, and ears remain vulnerable. If they are outside, they need a way to retreat from the cold, such as a dog door or insulated dog house. There are also dangers lurking well below your eye level. For example, antifreeze and ice melt.

Some dogs are also more vulnerable to seasonal allergies, including those that cause coughing, sneezing, and irritated skin. Many older animals, and especially those with arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases, may suffer more throughout the cold weather months with joint stiffness and pain. Pay close attention to your pet regardless of age, Pet Health Network notes that joint diseases can manifest as early as two years of age.

 Keep Pets Safe During Winter

To avoid antifreeze, frostbite, and other situational dangers, it’s best to keep your pet indoors unless you are actively walking them. However, other issues, such as skin allergies caused by the cold and joint pain may take a bit more work.

Winter Grooming

Pets with skin conditions may benefit from being regularly bathed and groomed by a service like Paws Salon. Maryland-based Old Farm Veterinary Clinic notes that some breeds can benefit from bathing every four weeks. This can help keep their skin and fur clean, which reduces the number of contact irritants in their coat. A qualified groomer can help you determine if your pet needs bathing this often or if you can stretch it out to once per season. If you choose to bathe at home, look for dog shampoos that are free of perfumes and dyes, as these may aggravate already itching skin.

Keep Indoors Out of Winter Cold

For animals with arthritis, winter is the perfect time to give them a space to call their own on the lowest level of your house. Larger dogs, especially, tend to struggle with stairs when also dealing with joint disorders, and it’s not always easy to pick up a 125-pound pet to move them up the stairs and onto the sofa. Keep in mind here that if you are living in an apartment complex on the top floor, it might be in your best interest to find an apartment that is pet-friendly, and one that has a unit available at ground level. You can look online at the different apartment and condo complexes to see which one in your area has the best amenities and availability.

No matter where you live, you’ll also need to keep the temperature in your home at a comfortable level. During the winter, anywhere between 69° and 72° is enough to keep them comfortable and warm so their joints remain limber and pain-free. That also means it’s worth checking your windows for leaks since that can make it especially hard to heat your home. If you need help, simply search Angi for “window leak repair near me” and browse their ratings and reviews. Note that the national average for window repair is about $290.

Keep Pets Cozy

Winter is here, and that means fewer ticks and fleas, but there are still dangers lurking around every corner. Be diligent, and clean up any potential poisons, especially if you live in an area where you must continually salt the walkways. You also want to keep your pet cozy through the winter months by making sure they can avoid stairs and keeping them warm until spring has sprung.

You can rest assured that Pampered Pet Sitting has the ability, knowledge, maturity, and experience to care for your beloved pets. Call 660-747-3554.

We all look forward to plentiful holiday feasts – our feline friends included! These days are full of love, joy, and of course, various delectable dishes. Many cat owners rightfully assume their cats deserve their share of the tasty holiday leftover food. Naturally, some of the ingredients can be the right food for your cat. However, in some cases, feeding your cat holiday leftovers isn’t good for their health and well-being. But there is no need to worry. Pampered Pet Sitting here to give you a few pointers on what your cat can and cannot eat from leftover holiday dinners.

Whether you want to treat your house cat or help stray and abandoned cats, exploring what “human food” they can digest is necessary. As much as you enjoy the holiday leftovers, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are safe and adequate food for cats. Some foods, you can cook them or adjust them and make a nutritious or cats. But, there are some bony or spicy dishes that are out of the question. So, let’s take a closer look.

Holiday Leftovers cook, skin, and debone poultry and fish

Chicken, turkey, duck, and other poultry are loved by many during the holidays. Your cat included. The nutritional benefits found in poultry suit the cat’s daily needs. As cats do not digest carbohydrates, so stay away from foods carb-heavy. Instead go for protein-rich food such as lean, free-range chicken, turkey, or fish. However, you need to make some adjustments before you feed your cat.

It is best if the poultry isn’t fried, but if it is, make sure you remove the skin. Although it is tasty, it is not the healthiest part of the chicken, as it contains a lot of fat and calories. Not to mention that the skin might contain spices, allergens, or toxins.

Also, you shouldn’t give your cat bony parts of the bird, such as the chicken leg. Of course, you should carefully remove all bones from fish. The cat could experience respiratory problems or injuries in the throat, intestines, or stomach if it swallows tiny bones. Giving your pet raw foods might have gained popularity in recent years. However, veterinarians advise against it. This might expose your cat to harmful parasites and pathogens.

Don’t feed your cat salty, fatty, or spicy holiday leftovers

Even a single ingredient unsuitable for cats can turn healthy post-holiday leftovers into a harmful meal. The greatest problem is fat and sugar as they disrupt gastrointestinal functioning. Sugary foods can provoke seizures, and long-term exposure to fat and sugar leads to diabetes and pancreatitis. When feeding your cat holiday leftovers, it’s advisable to avoid seasoned or marinated dishes. Intestinal problems can also appear if the food has garlic and onion. The same can happen if you feed your cat beans, green beans, or any such ingredient. A better option than spicy food would be adding a little bit of gravy to the regular cat food. This will make the food tastier without causing short-term and long-term health issues.

Some fruits and vegetables can be safe

If you plan to prepare a big holiday meal at home or a venue, it can be tricky to figure out what to do with food waste. Luckily there is a solution for both of those problems. If you have to move a lot of decoration, tables, chairs, and other furniture, you can always ask a moving company such as strongassmovers.com to help you out. 

If you have dishes with seasonal vegetables and fruits, you can treat your cat to some of them. In fact, some greens present a vitamin-rich food for cats. For instance, pumpkin, squash, and broccoli are perfectly safe foods for cats. Apples are also a good treat for cats, but only if you remove the seeds and the core. Apple seeds contain a harmful substance like cyanide, so don’t forget to do this. Make sure you peel and deseed all fruits and vegetables as the core may contain herbicides and other toxic substances. 

 Aside from foods from the allium family, it is also wise to avoid raisins, grapes, and beans. Also, as we mentioned, the vegetables and fruits cannot be too salty, sugary, or spicy. So, if you have some leftover cake, it is better to eat it yourself.

Don’t feed your cat too many holiday leftovers

Remember – your pet shouldn’t eat too much food as it can make them vomit. Treat holiday leftovers more like a treat rather than a cat food replacement. Of course, it is tempting to share your meal with your furry friend, especially because they are usually thrilled to grab a bite off the holiday table. However, human food does not contain all the necessary nutrients they need daily. The food can also be too caloric or fatty for the cat.

How to recognize if the holiday leftovers are harming your cat

There are some tell-tale signs your cat might be struggling with some ingredients you might have fed it. If your cat starts choking, it might be that a bone got stuck in its throat or esophagus. Other red flags showing your cat is not feeling well include diarrhea, vomiting, aggressive or repetitive behavior. Also, take note of any flu-like symptoms like fever, sneezing, or coughing. Take note of these symptoms when feeding your cat holiday leftovers and react promptly.

4 Tips for Stress-Free Family Holiday Travel

Holiday travel is stressful on its own, let alone trying to find someone to care for your pet while you’re away. Boarding may not be the best option, if it’s even available near you, so reach out to Pampered Pet Sitting to come to your home to sit with your kitty or other small animals.

Also, a wonderful opportunity to create memories with your little ones. Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to Pampered  Pet Sitting knows that the best and healthiest way to have your pets looked after when you travel. When going out of town your pets stay in the comfort of their own home. Call us today for your cat (and other small animals) sitting needs! 660-747-3554 

If it’s your first major getaway since starting a family, you’re probably wondering whether you’ll make it to next year with your sanity intact. While family holiday travel can be challenging, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to create memories with your little ones. And thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to promote a smooth trip for you and your kids — like these four tips from Pampered Pet Sitting!

1. Secure your home 

Burglars know families travel over the holidays and take advantage of that fact to break in when everyone’s away. The key to not becoming a target is making it look like someone’s home.

• Hold mail delivery. Mail piling up is a sure sign of a vacant home. Request the USPS to hold your mail or ask a neighbor to collect it daily.
• Set lights to timers. Timers that turn lights on and off at the usual times suggest to would-be intruders that your home is occupied. Front Point suggests switching to smart lights and then having the option to switch lights off and on right from your smartphone.
• Set up security cameras. In addition to lighting, mounting security cameras outside your home is an excellent way to deter criminals and monitor your property.

In addition to these steps, make sure your home is locked up, and don’t post photos of your travels on social media until after your return. You never know who is watching!

2. Prep your Car for Holiday Travel

Breaking down is stressful enough. Breaking down in the middle of winter with a carful of kids? That’s something no parent wants to experience. Avoid mishaps on the road by handling car maintenance before you depart.

• Replace worn tires. You’ll need sufficient tread to grip slick winter roads. If you’re heading somewhere with lots of snow, invest in tire chains.
• Test the battery. Many auto parts stores will test your car’s battery for free. Cold weather hinders battery performance so if the test shows your battery is weak, replace it.
• Replace windshield wiper blades. A clear windshield ensures maximum visibility on the road.
• Check the antifreeze. If traveling to a colder locale, you may need to adjust the water-to-antifreeze ratio to prevent coolant from freezing.

3.  Extra Time for Holiday Travel
 

Everything takes longer with kids. A busy holiday travel season also causes things to move more slowly than usual. Always give yourself more time than you think you need to get things done. Don’t schedule tight flight connections, account for frequent bathroom stops on long drives, and add a time buffer to each activity on your itinerary.

Speaking of itineraries, avoid overloading your holiday schedule with activities. A tight schedule combined with overstimulated kids is a recipe for temper tantrums. Carpe Travel recommends limiting yourself to one or two activities per day.

Remember the stress management techniques you use at work? Like using deep breathing, stopping stress thought trains, and knowing your triggers? Well, you can put them to good use when you’re traveling. The last thing you want to do is lose your temper mid-journey.

4. Use a travel agent to help Holiday Travel

If you are traveling somewhere new for the holidays, you have lots of planning and preparation to
do. When you are busy finishing up holiday shopping and mailing out greeting cards, booking hotels, flights, and attractions can feel downright overwhelming. Hire a travel agent to coordinate the trip for you. With someone else handling the logistics, you can focus on
preparing your home and family for the holiday season.

To be honest, there is no way to remove all stress from a family trip. You can’t control everything, and variables like grumpy kids, flight delays, or bad driving weather can throw a wrench in the best-laid plans. But by taking these four smart steps, you eliminate the biggest obstacles between your family and a great holiday season.

Pampered Pet Sitting knows that the best and healthiest way to have your pets looked after when you travel. When going out of town your pets stay in the comfort of their own home. Call us today for your cat (and other small animals) sitting needs! 660-747-3554

The growing population of neglected and abandoned pets has become a serious problem in the United States. With shelters overflowing and too many strays on the streets, it’s vital that members of the community step in to help. There are so many ways to step up and get involved! From starting your own nonprofit to volunteering at a local shelter, Pampered Pet Sitting shares some great ways to make a positive impact on the pets in your community.

Adopt or Foster a Pet

Fostering or adopting a homeless pet will free up space in the shelter for another abandoned pet. Just make sure you do your research before taking on this responsibility!

• Foster dog parents may be responsible for obedience training, transporting the pet to adoption events, and matching pets with forever families.
• Looking for a forever pet? Apply to adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter.
• If you live in an apartment, make sure you choose a pet that will suit your lifestyle and living space.

Start a Business Helping Animals

If you’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, consider combining this passion with your love for animals and starting your own pet business!

• Research the local facilities available to determine the need for nonprofit animal rescues in your area.
• Starting a pet training business is a great way to help pets learn the obedience skills they need to remain in their forever homes.
• Taking online college courses allows you to improve your skills in the business field at your own pace.
• Make sure you tackle the legal groundwork before launching your new business.

Donate Your Time, Money, or Supplies

If starting a business or adopting an animal isn’t realistic, see how you can help a local animal nonprofit. Shelters are always short on money, supplies, and volunteers.

• Nonprofits work on tight budgets so they’re always happy to receive monetary donations from compassionate members of the community.
• Animal shelters are always in need of old blankets, towels, pet food, treats, toys, and pet-friendly cleaning supplies.
• There are several ways to help out at a local animal shelter, from walking dogs to collecting donations.

Personal Fulfillment

Few things are more fulfilling than helping abused and abandoned pets find loving homes. Whether you decide to adopt a furry friend yourself or donate to a local shelter, your involvement will make a difference. Do what you can to help the animals in your community!

 

Helping Senior Pets

As with humans, for senior pets the aging process is gradual. When they reach their senior years, your pet will likely begin to display subtle physical and behavioral changes. While knowing your senior pet has reached its twilight years can be a difficult experience, it’s also a blessing that they have made it this far. If you take the appropriate steps to address the changes, you can ensure your pet continues to live its best life.

To help, from Pampered Pet Sitting, here are a few simple, budget-friendly tips for helping your senior pets stay healthy and happy throughout their senior years.

Senior Pets Need More Vet visits

For younger pets, going to the vet once a year is sufficient. However, when your pet becomes a senior, you’ll want to take them in for a wellness exam at least every six months. Along with setting a baseline for their health, this will help the vet catch potential health issues early on, which will make treatments more effective and help you prevent hefty medical bills.

Senior Pets Need Diet Modified

Fight the urge to spoil your senior pet with processed foods as they grow older. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is crucial during the senior years, as fatty foods can cause inflammation and weight gain. Ask your vet for dietary recommendations that will help your pet maintain its quality of life. May include packaged food and budget-friendly treats that you can make at home.

Invest in supplies

Best not to indulge your senior pet too much when it comes to food. However, you can spoil them with new supplies! By shopping at retailers like Kohl’s, you can find a wealth of pet beds, collars, leashes, toys, and more for affordable prices. Also, you can increase your savings by using coupons and cashback offers.

Make modifications

Your senior pet likely has favorite spots in your house where they enjoy hanging out. However, as they age, some of these areas might be hard for them to access. For example, if you have an older cat who loves curling up on your bed, you may need to invest in some cat stairs to help them safely get on and off the bed. Or if your senior cat is struggling to reach his favorite window seat, you might want to provide better access. Good to add a perch and some stairs so he can still reach his spot.  Suggest you search “window washers in my area” to find highly rated pros who can give the window a good cleaning so your furry loved one can soak up the sunshine.

Prioritize physical activity

While it will look different, exercise is still important for senior pets. Activities such as swimming and leisurely walking can help with weight management and joint issues. Just be sure to monitor your pet during physical activity. You may need to provide them with extra encouragement to remain active, but you don’t want them to overdo it either.

Maintain grooming

Along with vet visits, you’ll likely need to increase the frequency of your pet’s grooming sessions. Obviously, taking your pet to a professional groomer can get expensive, so learn how to perform basic grooming activities at home.

Monitor Senior Pets for changes

Since physical and behavioral changes happen so gradually with senior pets, it can be easy to miss them. Be intentional about monitoring your pet’s changes so that you can be proactive in improving their quality of life. Look out for any signs of discomfort. If you notice your pet having a hard time climbing the stairs or shifting positions, lying down all day, or limping. it likely means that they should go to the vet.

Focus on Quality of Life

While there are challenges that come with the aging process, you can help your pet maintain its quality of life until the end. Keep in mind your pet will pick up on your emotions and any stress you’re feeling as a result of their aging, so make sure your environment optimizes relaxation and healthy balance. And of course, remember the budget-friendly tips above as you navigate the physical and behavioral changes of your pet’s senior years. Finally, most importantly, remember to shower your pet with more and more love. After all, that’s what they care about the most!