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National Pet Week Starts May 1st

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National Pet Week began back in 1981. It is celebrated during the first week of May. The American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) helped create this week that celebrates pets and encourages the best possible care of our companion animals. 

The AVMA  themes each day that you can check out by clicking here.

You probably won’t be surprised by many of the recommendations. But it is always good to see if you can make any improvements. Many of the tips can be applied to the human beings in the household, not just the pet.

For example, the AVMA recommends proper nutrition and exercise for your pet. What better way to improve your own life by being active with your best friend? Finding an exercise routine that both your pet and you can share is an essential joy that has long lasting benefits.

Unsurprisingly, they recommend regular checkups and screenings, particularly as your pet reaches the senior years. Just like humans, the preventive measures you take could extend the quality and longevity of your pet’s life. 

You could also review preparation protocols for travel and review the latest procedures for handling an emergency event. 

Whether you are looking to find a pet or already have one, your veterinarian is a great resource for making sure you understand all the facets required for a healthy, happy pet.

Let us know how you plan to celebrate National Pet Week. 

Take A Walk In the Park Day Is March 30th

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March 30th is designated as Take A Walk In the Park Day! We can’t think of a better way to spend your outdoor saunter than by checking out a nearby park.

When we walk our dogs, we often stick to the same routes, the same times, and sometimes are so thoroughly in a routine that we don’t notice all the things around us. Even our dogs can get in a rut and refuse to budge from a pre-determined route.

But on March 30th, or any day really, you can mix things up. Pack up your pet and venture over to a tree-filled park or wooded area and take an adventure. You get the benefits of being fully present (consider turning off the phone or at least setting it on silent) and allow your dog to engage all of their olfactory cells. 

The benefits are two fold. You get the proven scientific benefits of being immersed in a tree-filled location. In as little as 20-30 minutes this can decease your blood pressure (and likely your stress levels). Your pet will be exercising their noses and their legs and probably will be pretty tuckered out when you return home. Who doesn’t love a tired pet?

Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite location for your walks on a summer evening or weekend. Maybe you’ll meet a new friend, canine or human. Either way, let March 30th be an opportunity to try out a new park and see if you feel better after a good walk there! Let us know how it goes.

Fireworks and Frightened Floofins

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As most of us prepare to return to a more familiar version of the 4th of July holiday, it is always good to emphasize the potential issues some pets may face from fireworks.

Even the most chill pets may be undone by the loud sounds of explosions. July 5th is one of the busiest days at animal shelters, according to American Humane Association.

The last thing pet parents want is to lose a pet during a fireworks display and risk injury, death, or separation from their home due to a panicked escape. Let’s cover some suggestions on how to approach the holiday with your pet in mind.

  • Indoor time is good. Keep your pet indoors during the display. And if you plan to head out to watch the fireworks outside your home, leave your pet at home. Some pet parents find that thunder shirts or similar products provide relief. But, not all pets will find relief that way.
  • Make sure your pet is properly ID’ed. Microchipping is great, but it never hurts to have additional ID tags on your pet just in case they slip out a door. If you have guests over make sure they are aware of your pet so they don’t inadvertently let them outside.
  • Barbecues are good for people, not pets. There are lots of opportunities for pets to get into products or foods that might cause them harm. Watch out for alcohol, table scraps that might upset tummies or cause more severe damage (we see you ribs and chicken wings), and any insect repellent product not specifically made for pets.

You can check out other ideas for safety from PetMD by clicking on the following link: https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_multi_top_ten_fourth_of_july_pet_safety_tips

Stay safe, have fun, and if possible, hang out with your floofin and make them as comfortable as possible.

Hinsdale Pet Walk Festival To Take Place June 26th

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Floofins & Co. will be part of the Pet Walk Festival June 26th in Hinsdale. Starting Saturday morning at 10 a.m. the first wave of attendees can enjoy the event. The second wave starts at 12:30 p.m. The event is being staged in waves to allow for COVID protocols that will provide maximum safety for all attendees. All proceeds from the event will benefit the animals of the Hinsdale Humane Society.

There will be a 1-mile pet walk and kids can join in a Superhero Sprint. Kids can purchase a special cape for the event and prizes will be awarded for winners. The sprints will start at either 10:15 a.m.or 12:45 p.m., depending on the wave they attend. Kids will run in groups according to age: 5 and under; 6-9; and over 9 years of age.

Additional activities include photo opportunities; DJ, Therapaws Team meet and greet, raffles, tours, and more.  Also, pet-related vendors will be on hand with their own giveaways. Don’t forget to stop by the and grab some yummy food options for purchase from the food vendors.

Don’t forget to stop by the adoption center and consider adding a floofin to your family. Information on the raffle and tickets to the event can be found at https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/events/pet-walk-festival-2021.

We hope to see you Saturday!

June Is National Foster A Pet Month

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Did you know that June is National Foster a Pet Month? If you didn’t, you might be surprised by one of the statistics shared by the Petco Foundation.

Susanne Kogut, president of the Petco Foundation, reported that if “2% of pet-owning households in the U.S. fostered just one pet a year, we could eliminate unnecessary euthanasia in this country, not just during the COVID-19 shutdown, but forever.”

Kogut encouraged individuals to continue to foster as businesses begin to reopen. [Read more…] about June Is National Foster A Pet Month