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Here are some tips on how to make this time of year safe for your pets:

• Don't leave your pet out in the cold! Although your pet may enjoy the
   great outdoors, they need a place that is warm and dry when the
   temperatures drop.

• Storm Protection: when the power goes out and the temperatures
   drop inside your house, make sure you have an extra blanket or two
   for your pet to curl up in for warmth. Senior pets really need attention
   at this time, so keep them warm.

• Outdoor Pet:  If your pet is kept outside, make sure that adequate
   shelter is provided: to shield from wind, moisture, and cold. It is
   important to take extra care to ensure that your pet is comfortable
   and that they can get into and out of their housing easily.

• Consider bundling up your pet, because not all pets are created equal
   and have lush fur coats. A pet sweater or pet coat can take the chill off a
   walk in the brisk winter weather. And remember to wash those paws!

• Practice car safety:

• Don't leave your pet in the car unattended. You car becomes a
   freezer and your pet can freeze to death. Not a happy topic, but it
   is true.

• Watch out for antifreeze - this is highly toxic to your pets. Mop up all
   spills and dispose of containers properly.

• Check under the hood of your car, as cats like to crawl up to your
   engine compartment to keep warm. Bang on the hood before you
   start your engine.

• Fresh water is extremely important no matter what time of year. Make
   sure that your pet's water does not freeze. Contrary to what many people
   believe, pets do not know how to break the ice on their water bowls, and as
   their caretaker, it is up to you to provide fresh clean water daily.

• Exercise! Whether you toss a ball indoors (carefully!) or bundle up and
   take the ball outside or go for a walk, make it a special time for both of
   you and create some special memories.

☑  ASPCA Cold Weather Tips

☑  AVMA Cold Weather Pet Safety

☑  HSUS Protect Your Pet During Winter and Cold Weather

❤  If your pet develops strange behavior in the cold,
     or you think it may have been bitten by something,

     take your pet to EMERGENCY right away.

     This is an extremely serious situation!

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

Holidays are a wonderful time of year. The gathering of family, or maybe just doing your own thing with you and your pet. Whatever you decide to to, please keep the follow information in mind, and have a great holiday season for your whole family.

Here are some tips:

• Christmas Tree Safety: 

• Where to put your tree to provide the best pet safety is probably in a corner where there will be less attempt for your pet to jump on it.

• The needles of a live tree, as well as limbs from an artificial tree can be hazardous to your pet.

• Prevent pets from drinking tree water (live trees) as this can be toxic.

• Tinsel and angel hair may look attractive, but they are especially attractive to cats. If swallowed it can cause blockages that require surgery.

• Keep holiday lights high on your tree and keep power cords away from pets who might like to chew on the cords (burned mouths/electrocution).

• Glass ornaments can pose a hazard when broken: cut paws, and if swallowed: cut mouth and esophogas. Place them high on the tree if you must use them.

• No food on the tree! Use common sense, please.

• Holiday Plants: 

Many plants that we like to place around our homes at the holidays are poisonous to our pets: holly, poinsettias, mistletoe, as well as many forms of lilies, and these are just a few.  You might want to opt for an imitation plant just to be safe.

• Decorating Packages:

Festive holiday packages/presents can pose a danger to your pets. Some ribbons and string can be ingested and cause instestinal obstructions leading to surger. Please do not put ribbons or decorations around your pet's neck or on their collars. You may think it looks great, but it can scare your pet and make them uncomfortable, and put them at a risk of chocking or strangling.

• Possible Burning Hazards:

Be vigilant when burning candles or potpourri pots. Cats in particular are attracted to both. For your pets safety, keep these items placed high and out of reach. Monitor you pet at all times!

• Holiday Foods:

• No Chocolate, and beware of the wrappers left lying around. Both are hazardous to your pets.

• No Alcohol: do not allow your pets to drink from glasses that still  have some alcohol as this will present a serious hazard and possible death.

• No Uncooked Dough: if you are leaving dough out to rise, please make sure your pet is kept out of that room as it is attractive to them and can cause severe pain and digestive problems.

• Keep fruits and nuts away from your pets - again, this can be hazardous to their health.

• Table Scraps: Yes, we know, you're just trying to be a friend to your pet by sharing your holiday table scraps, but this sudden change in diet can be extremely hazardous to their healthy digestive system and bowels.

❤ This may seem like a lot of information, but really it is simple common sense. You want your holidays to be wonderful and with as little stress as possible. That's why we present you with these tips. Your visitors, parties and travelling at this time of year can take a toll on you and your pets. So we urge you to spend quality time alone with your pet every day, and be aware of any unusual behavior or things that don't seem right to you. Contact EMERGENCY immediately if you sense something may be wrong with your pet.

☑  ASPCA Holiday Safety Tips

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR:

Bringing in the New Year is often celebrated with lots of  fireworks, loud noises, and combined with people yelling your pet is at risk of becoming seriously distressed and running away in panic. Because our pets hearing is so sensitive, the loud booms of fireworks can be extremely uncomfortable. The sudden burst of lights can also cause pets to become frightened. So, what can you do to help ensure the safety of your pet?

Here are some safety tips:

• Do not take your pets with you to watch fireworks

• Be certain your pets identification tags are visible,
   and microchip information is current

• Discuss medical alternatives with us that might help with your pets agitation

• If possible, keep your pets indoors, in a room that isn't available to
   your guests. Make sure they have water and food.

• Keep party decorations away from your pets, as well as alcohol, chocolate,
   and table scrapes, too.

☑  Mission Reunite

☑  How to make missing pet posters, plus more!

☑  Fresno Bee: Lost and Found: check to see which ads are free.

☑  Facebook:  559 Missing & Found Pets

☑  Lost My Doggie (and cats)
➲  You must visit local shelters in person to look for your pet.

Winter is an etching,
spring a watercolor,
summer an oil painting
  & autumn a mosaic of them all.
  - Stanley Horowitz