A Kenneling Alternative

News

Small Business Saturday and Gratitude

by Leave a Comment

This year, as the world tries to get itself back to some degree of normal, we want to express our gratitude and celebrate Small Business Saturday.

One of the reasons that we are still standing is because of our clients. We want to take a few moments, if you will indulge us, by saying thanks.

For each of you who were able to continue using Floofins & Co.’s services, even if you didn’t absolutely require them, thank you. Your support has allowed us to keep staff in place so that you don’t lose any of your favorite pet care specialists. [Read more…] about Small Business Saturday and Gratitude

Update on Holiday Scheduling and the Floofins Waitlist

by Leave a Comment

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to let our clients know about the status of holiday scheduling and our first ever Floofins & Co. waitlist.

EARLY BOOKING

While we have always stressed booking visits as early as possible, this holiday season presents additional challenges. We highly encourage our clients to book your holiday trips in the system as soon as possible. Why?

Our commitment to the highest level of service. 

Like all industries, demand and staffing are in flux. Particularly at high volume times, like the holidays, we encourage early booking to meet pet care needs. We never overbook because that negatively impacts our clients.

We have seen a drastic increase in the volume of pet care requests. This likely results from many factors including increased travel from last year, new floofins additions to households, and the unfortunate decrease in pet care providers resulting from COVID’s hit to small businesses everywhere. 

WAITLIST

We appreciate your referrals and encourage you to continue to suggest us as an option for your family and friends. As a caution, some new clients, depending on their service location, may be placed on our waitlist.

New clients may temporarily be waitlisted clients until we can provide Floofins & Co. caliber service. We encourage you to establish your pet with us so that we can quickly transition to providing service as soon as possible.

Floofins & CO. appreciates all of our clients, new and established. We promise to continue to give you the service you have come to expect. And for new clients, we will make your pet a member of our Floofins Family as soon as we can.

Thank you and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.

Celebrating National Veterinarian Technician Week

by Leave a Comment

This week you can celebrate the wonderful people who do the important work at veterinary offices all over the country. November 17-23 is National Veterinarian Technician Week.

The American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes the value of these staff members on their website, offering thanks for all they do. AVMA says that Vet Techs are “critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices, and play vital roles in preserving animal health and welfare.”

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) focuses this year’s event on self care. The theme is appropriate considering that Vet Techs “have worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months, handling a workload and stress level never seen before.  It is critically important that NAVTA emphasize the importance of self-care and a healthy work-life balance.”

Understandably, with the number of pandemic pets adopted, it is no surprise that the volume of work for the pet healthcare industry has been overwhelming.

The poster for this year emphasizes who Vet Techs are “when the stethoscope comes off”. They highlight the many activities your Vet Tech might be engaged in when not in an exam room, lab, or office setting. You can find out more by going to their website at https://www.navta.net/page/nat_vet_tech . 

According to the Vet Tech Colleges website, Vet Techs are highly trained professionals deserving of recognition and gratitude. “Compared to human medicine, a Vet Tech can serve as a laboratory technician, a respiratory therapist, a dietician, a nurse, a radiation tech, an anesthesiologist, and a physical therapist in a single role.” 

If you are looking for gift ideas for your favorite Vet Tech, Vet Tech Colleges offers some options to consider at https://www.vettechcolleges.com/blog/vet-tech-appreciation-week. 

Thanks to all of our Vet Tech friends!

Barkapalooza is Back This Weekend

by Leave a Comment

Floofins & Co. will be taking part in the events of Barkapalooza 2021. The events, hosted by the West Human Suburban Humane Society, will benefit the homeless animals under their care.

Events begin at 10 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. and are held at the Lisle Community Park on Sunday, September 26th.

Free parking is available and the day will contain fun, food, and games designed to end animal homelessness. Individuals can collect pledges and join the walkathon. Dogs are welcome at the event. Events include a $1,000 raffle, microchipping, a photo booth, artistic grooming, animal communicator, rescues, shopping, food, and prizes. Enjoy a day filled with fun, food and games while helping to end animal homelessness.

For more details, check out the website at https://www.wshs-dg.org/news-events/barkapalooza-2021.

How Do I Know If My Pet Is In Pain?

by Leave a Comment

I think about pet pain a lot. My dog, Ginger, is 11 years old now and beginning to turn from a vibrant red to a heavy dose of white fur. And she’s struggled with lameness.

September is Pain Awareness Month for both pets and people. But, unlike those of us training for fall marathons who can articulate where our bodies hurt, pets cannot.

Signs

“According to the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), more than 45 million household pets suffer from chronic or acute pain.”

Signs that you should look for according to International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) include the following list of most common signs of pain:

  • Decreased activity – Take notice if your animal is not playing as much as usual
  • Not going up or down stairs – This could be an early sign of osteoarthritis
  • Reluctance to jump onto surfaces – This especially applies to cats
  • Difficulty standing after laying down – This is a sign of osteoarthritis
  • Decreased appetite – This can signal mouth pain
  • Over grooming or licking a particular area – This can be a sign of referred pain

What To Do

Fortunately, there are a number of options available to pet parents. Ginger was able to get some physical therapy, massage, and laser treatments. That, combined with some relatively inexpensive medications, have returned her to a level of activity that is satisfying to see.

While her veterinarians were all good doctors, the resources available to do the therapy and laser treatments came as a result of a conversation with a behaviorist trainer. Her bloodwork never identified acute health concerns. It was only after doing a few expensive X-rays that some early spinal issues were spotted.

You may have to investigate resources for your pet if they are showing signs of pain. Fortunately, as the pet care industry has expanded, so have the number of options. Your vet may be able to offer suggestions for quality treatment options if their practice doesn’t provide them.

You are your pet’s best advocate, so keep an eye on them and have any signs of possible chronic pain looked into. You’ll both feel better.