Magnificent May!

Welcome to our May newsletter! Click here for the full version!

Save $44!
Daily Visit Deal! Book weekly Monday through Friday pet visits between 10am-4pm and receive your first 2 visits free! Perfect for mid day dog walks while you are at work!
Offer Expires: July 1, 2014
Only for clients that are currently not signed up for weekly Monday through Friday service. Must sign up for regular weekly visits.
Greetings!

Although it feels like winter has just ended, it is time to think about preparing for spring and summer vacations. Let our main office know if you need to book any additional pet care this spring or summer. Please be sure to email any requests you have.

 

Lockboxes! If you haven’t received one yet please notify the office ASAP. Our new policy is all clients must use a lockbox, have a garage code, or use a hidden key. The lockboxes have been very helpful and several clients have not jumped on board yet. Using a lockbox saves the sitters lots of time and gas and gives you more control over your key.

 

Upcoming Holiday Reminders:

Mother’s Day May 11th!

Be sure to show your mom how much you appreciate her this year by giving her a gift certificate from Pet and Home Care. Give the gift that will help your mom with all of her pet and home care needs. Call or email the office for details. Also, be sure your pets are cared for during your weekend plans or getaway! Book your pet care today!

 

May 26 is Memorial Day!

Please be sure to book your Pet and Home Care needs in advance to ensure we can cover your requests. Some services do fill up fast so please plan ahead and don’t forget about your pets until the last minute! Email the office to schedule your care. All regularly scheduled Monday visits and day care are cancelled on May 26th unless you call or email to add it on.

 

Our Holiday Fee ($5 per visit, $10 per 24 hour period for overnights or boarding) will be applied to Monday, May 26th.

Check out our updated website to meet our staff, see more testimonials, and comment on our blog.

 

Pet of the Month!
Harley
harley marshall

Harley is one of our favorite doggy day care clients! He comes everyday to play and socialize with his human and dog friends. Harley is loved by all and really enjoys his time at our doggy day care camp!

 

~Tiffany Reynolds

We support PetConnect Rescue!
1-877-838-9171

Maverick loves being around people and greets everyone by rubbing against legs. Handsome and chubby, 4 year old Maverick is an extremely loving boy. He will make an awesome addition to your home as the only cat. A “dog cat”, Maverick doesn’t like competing with other kitties for human attention. Maverick will greet you when you come home and he’ll sleep on your bed. He’ll provide you with plenty of unconditional love. And Maverick is a silly guy who LOVES to drink from the faucet! Neutered, healthy, and up-to-date on his vet care, Maverick would love to meet you.

 

Click here for online application or visit their website to see other pets that need forever homes.

 

PetConnect desperately needs your help! Please lend a hand if you can this year, and help them to foster or adopt and save even more lives.

 

Pet and Home Care will offer 3 free 15min visits to anyone who adopts through PetConnect! Be sure to let us know once you have adopted your new furry baby!

What Our Clients Say…
Pet and Home Care are terrific. We have been using them for years now. They are prompt, when confirming walk requests. And all the walkers leave wonderful notes, with details of the visits. We highly recommend them.
~Lori (Angie’s List review)
Please tell us how we are doing.
We would love to hear from you!!
EMAIL US with your testimonial or review us on Yelp or Angie’s List!
Tell Your Friends!
Receive 2 free 30 minute visits when you refer a new client!
We want your referrals! We have doubled our referral fee to 2 free 30 minute visits (value of $44!!) to encourage you to tell your neighbors, friends, family, and co workers about Pet and Home Care. We hope that you recommend us for dog walking, pet sitting, dog boarding, dog day care, or home cleaning!Please forward this newsletter to anyone who might be interested in our services.
Thanks for being part of the Pet and Home Care family.

Don’t forget to visit our website and check out all of our services!
Did you notice that there are five different ways
to get free services listed in this newsletter and a coupon for up to $44 off for pet care?!

Noble November Newsletter and Food Drive!

Greetings! For our full newsletter please click here!

Here are the highlights!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First off, our prayers and thoughts go to anyone who may have lost a loved one due to the devastation in the Midwest or the Philippines.

The damage and loss that was caused is horrifying. Please consider giving to the American Red Cross or another charity at this hard time- Pet and Home Care did.

During this season of giving we would also like to help the less fortunate here at home. We hope you will consider leaving a donation that one of our team members can pick up at your home. The donations will be going to the local organization Manna. They serve thousands of county residents each year. Please leave food in a bag labeled Pet and Home Care Food Drive, or you can drop it off at our Pet Resort or our office, and we will take the donations to Manna.

In the same spirit, we encourage everyone to shop Small Business and as a reminder, November 30th is Shop Small Day. Click here for details.

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Thanksgiving is next week!!

Be sure to book your pet and home care needs with us ASAP! We do book up fast for some services and must make sure we have enough staff on hand to cover all of our clients requests.

Reminder! We will cancel all normal week day Thursday visits and Doggie Day Care on November 28th. If you would like to keep your visit on the schedule please contact the office today. If you booked care specifically for Thanksgiving you will be covered!

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Do you give in to your cute pets at the dinner table? This Thanksgiving holiday, The Pet and Home Care team urges you to resist the intense gazes and vocal demands of pleading perfect pets. There can be dangerous consequences for animals during the holidays when fed people food or left unattended with temptations.

Holiday threats to animals can include seasonal decorations, ornamental lighting, candle flames, ingestion of inappropriate or toxic items, excessive consumption of rich or harmful food, and many other holiday hazards.

Before you sit down to feast, be sure to take away temptation-from both guests and pets. Try feeding your pets before the guests arrive to reduce the temptation for begging and stealing. You can also keep your pet separate from the party by using a pet gate or have your pooch come spend Thanksgiving with the  Pet and Home Care Team where the only treats will be milk bones!

Things to avoid feeding your pet this holiday season:
Rich, fatty foods (turkey skins, gravy, etc,) can contribute to pancreatitis. This inflammation of the digestive gland is painful and can be serious–requiring emergency veterinary assistance.
Cooked bones can splinter and cause obstruction in a pet’s digestive tract.
Baking strings, if ingested, can create trouble if ingested by your pet.
Onions in holiday stuffing can lead to canine anemia if consumed by your dog.
Grapes and raisin toxins can cause kidney failure in pets.
Ingesting chocolate can kill your pet.
Caffeine and alcohol are toxic for pets.
Keep all goodies out of reach!
Keep leftover food out of reach and in tightly closed containers. Make sure garbage cans are secure to keep critters so they are safe from e-coli and unable to chew on leftover tinfoil.
Always keep your emergency vet clinic or veterinary hospital number handy. You never know when you will encounter a disaster due to a delinquent guest or persistent pet.

Canine Flu and Labor Day updates!

If you have not yet heard, there has been an outbreak of Canine Flu in Montgomery County. The flu is an upper respiratory virus that for many dogs is mild and passing. The flu is very similar to kennel cough, but can last much longer- some cases for 10 – 21 days, even if antibiotics are being used. A few dogs can develop pneumonia, which can be life threatening. The problem is that dogs shed flu for 7-10 days before they show signs of the disease; so, owners don’t know to isolate them when they’re actively shedding.

 

The veterinarian we have spoken to does not seem overly concerned. However, there is a flu vaccine available. It takes effect in three days, and your dog would need to get a booster in another two weeks. It can be given to puppies as young as 6 weeks. Although the vaccine does not stop transmission, it reduces the severity of the disease and shortens the shedding and symptomatic periods.

 

At our pet resort, we are REQUIRING all day care and boarding clients to have the CIV vaccine as well as being current on all other vaccines. Please email our office with your vet records if you are planning to board with us. We are disaffecting all surfaces and keeping our facility very clean.

 

Be sure to talk to your vet about the flu vaccine. Pet and Home Care is not be liable if your pet contracts the flu or other contagious diseases while in our care as the vaccines do not guarantee prevention. We will take all precautions to ensure your pets are safe and well cared for.

 

If you are not able to get the vaccines, we can still offer care in your home. We can provide visits as early as 7am and as late as 9pm.

 

Labor Day!

 

On a lighter note- Labor day weekend is finally here! We hope you have booked your pet and home care needs with the office. If not- you still have time! We have staff ready to care for your pets and home this weekend and Monday. Email us ASAP to add care this weekend.

 

Reminder- Monday September 2- All regularly scheduled weekly Monday visits and day care are cancelled. If you still want your visit please email the office to book your visit.

Pet Safety: Five Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe at Home

Not many pet owners have the lux- ury of being able to keep their pets under watch all the time. There are a number of steps that pet owners can take to help ensure pets are safe around the home when pet owners are not there.

Follow these five tips to help keep your pet safe:

One person’s trash

Dogs and cats alike seem to love the smell, taste and texture of trash, and they will go out of their way to play in that arena while you’re away. The prob- lem is many things in our trash that may seem benign to us can be dan- gerous to pets, including chicken bones, which are choking hazards because of their brittle nature. Take all the trash outside when you leave for any length of time, or place trash- cans out of pet’s reach.

Do sweat the small stuff

Remove small toys, string and other choking hazards such as rubber bands from your pet’s area in your home. They may love these things as toys, but the risk of choking is high. Consider, too, if your pet’s toys are sized appropriately for him. A ball meant for a smaller animal can lodge within a larger one’s throat.

Eight lives and counting

Cats aren’t always as nimble footed and self sufficient as legend has it. Check for places where they can become stuck, such as behind the refrigerator or in fireplace openings, and seal up those openings. Close all toilet lids before you leave the house. Finally, put away those toys you may enjoy with your feline friend that include strings. Left alone with one, your animal can quickly choke.

An idle mind is the devil’s work- shop

Pets enjoy their routines. And if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, or if you’re going to be away at times of the day when you’re usually at home with your pet, consider hiring a profes- sional pet sitter to help your pet stick to its schedule. It is reassuring to the pet, and can help alleviate some of the mischievous exploring that often leads to disaster. A good pet sitter knows how to think like a pet and can quickly scan your pet’s environ- ment for known dangers.

Before hiring a sitter for your pet, make sure the pet sitter is bonded and carries adequate liability insurance. Finding a pet sitter who is accred- ited through a national association like PSI is also a real plus. Be sure to make time for a face-to-face interview in your home with the sitter and your pets. Conducting an initial interview is an excellent time for you to check cre- dentials and ask important questions.

Disaster and emergency planning can save the day

All pet owners should have a disaster plan and kit for each of their pets. According to Jen- nifer Miler of St. Petersburg, Florida, Pet Sitters International’s 2007 Pet Sitter of the Year™, “Natural disas- ters such as hurricanes and floods, as well as unforeseen man-made di- sasters like chemical spills, can close off a residential area in short order. The key is to be prepared as best as you can and it only takes a small amount of preparation.”

You should be able to pass the “five- minute preparedness test,” meaning in five minutes or fewer, you should be able to get your pets and their emergency kit out of your home.

A Pet Disaster Kit Should Include:

  • A copy of your Emergency Disaster Plan
  • Pet first-aid kit and book
  • Road maps and street guides
  • Photocopies of medical records
  • Recent photos of your pets
  • Pet medication
  • A separate carrier for each pet
  • Pet feeding dishes
  • Pet food – Be sure canned food has a pop-top
  • Bottled water – a week supply for each pet
  • Extra leashes, collars and harnesses
  • Dog stake or cables
  • Muzzles
  • Gloves – heavy gloves and disposable rubber gloves
  • Small or disposable litter boxes
  • Kitty litter – scoopable is most convenient
  • Disposable garbage bags
  • Paper towels
  • Liquid soap, disinfectant and bleach
  • Blankets and towels
  • Flashlight
  • Portable radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Scissors
  • Pocket knife
  • Pillowcase of Evac Sack
  • Pet toys
  • Pet treats

To your pet’s health,

Tiffany Mann (formerly Reynolds)
Pet and Home Care, LLC
301-738-2273
care@petandhomecare.comm

Pet Safety: Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, Otherwise known as Bloat

Bloat can be deadly. Is your dog at risk?

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD), commonly known as “bloat” in dogs, is a very serious and dangerous health condition. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes abnormally enlarged or distended.

Stomach torsion is the abnormal position- ing of the stomach which is caused by the stomach’s rotation about its axis, i.e. twist- ing of the stomach. Bloat usually leads to torsion, although torsion can occur without bloat. Chronic gastric volvulus (ongoing mild torsion) may not cause typical signs of GDV, but should be suspected in dogs with inter- mittent vomiting, weight loss, mild bloating, rumbling sounds in the bowel (borborygmi) and/or belching.

Facts about bloat:

  • Dogs weighing more than 99 pounds have an approximate 20 percent risk of bloat.
  • In a study done by the Perdue University Research Group, headed by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, the Great Dane was the number one breed at risk for bloat.
  • In 1993, a statistical study involving 134 dogs with gastric dilation and volvulus was conducted by the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany. In this study, 66.4 percent of the bloated dogs were male and 33.6 percent were female.
  • Most dogs with bloat are between the ages of 7 and 12 years old.
  • When combined with the complications of GDV, bloat is a leading cause of death to dogs, second only to cancer. While the exact cause of bloat is still unknown, some evidence suggests a familial association.
  • A risk factor associated with death following surgery for bloat is when the dog has exhibited clinical signs of bloating for greater than six hours before seeing a veterinarian.

Information provided by The Veterinary Information Network.

To your pet’s health,

Tiffany Mann (formerly Reynolds)
Pet and Home Care, LLC
301-738-2273
care@petandhomecare.comm

Pet Safety: Startling Pet Toxins

Did you know that some of your favorite foods are dangerous to pets?

Treats such as raisins, grapes and avocados can be deadly. When educating the public about poten- tially toxic substances, most of the focus has been on unintentional and preventable poisonings of chil- dren. However, the Animal Poison Control Center estimates that they respond to accidental pet poison- ing cases every year. The Ameri- can Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) encourages pet owners to learn what foods, plants and other substances are harmful to pets.

“It is especially important to realize that what humans eat and enjoy may be toxic to pets,” said Dr. Jack Walther, president of the AVMA. “Grapes, chocolate, raisins, avoca- dos and other seemingly harmless foods can be harmful or even fatal. Pet owners should also talk to their veterinarian about environmental hazards in their area and how to properly use flea control products.”

Clinical signs of poisoning in ani- mals may vary greatly from extreme excitement to severe depression. If you suspect that a pet has been ac- cidently poisoned, phone your veter- inarian and ask for emergency treat- ment advice. Try to determine what the poison is and how much the pet ingested.

Keep meds out of reach

Ensure that your pets don’t have ac- cess to any medications. Some hu- man medications are poisonous to pets. This includes common, over- the-counter and prescription medi- cine, including aspirin, vitamins and sleeping pills.

According to the ASPCA, just one regular-strength 200 mg ibuprofen (Motrin®) pill can trigger stomach ul- cers in a 10-pound dog.

Other commonly used human medi- cations, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and other pain relievers, antidepressants and diet pills can be lethal. Ensure that your home is ‘pet proof,’ with all medicines stored safe- ly out of a pet’s reach and sight.

Common seasonal pet poisons in- clude plants such as lilies, Rhodo- dendrons, nightshade and Japanese yews; chemicals such as fertilizer, rat poisons, swimming pool treatment supplies, pest control products and antifreeze; and animals such as toads or spiders. An extensive list of poisons can be found at www.avma.org.

When it comes to accidental pet poi- sonings, prevention is paramount. In addition to the obvious toxic materi- als, pet owners need to know which outwardly innocent substances may be dangerous to their pets as well.

To your pet’s health,

Tiffany Mann (formerly Reynolds)
Pet and Home Care, LLC
301-738-2273
care@petandhomecare.com

Emergency Disaster Kit

One of the key elements for disaster preparedness is the Emergency Disaster Kit. The best container for assembling your Emergency Disaster Kit is a plastic storage box with a tight-fitting, waterproof lid. Here is a list of supplies that you will want to consider: Emergency Disaster Kit
  • A copy of your Emergency Disaster Plan
  • Road maps and street guides
  • Animal first aid brochure or book
  • Extra leashes, collars and harnesses
  • Dog stakes and cables
  • Muzzles
  • Evac Sack (for cats)
  • Gloves: Heavy gloves and disposable rubber gloves
  • Can opener
  • Utensils (spoon, etc.)
  • Pet first aid kit and generic pet medicines
  • Extra food for dogs and cats
  • Bottled water
  • Food and water dishes
  • Small litter boxes
  • Kitty litter
  • Pet shampoo
  • Flea spray
  • Paper and cloth towels
  • Blankets
  • Plastic sheeting or tarp
  • Pocket knife
  • Scissors
  • Flashlight
  • Portable radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Assorted plastic bags
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Disinfectant or bleach
Keep your Emergency Disaster Kit in a convenient location. Don’t put yourself in the position to be searching for it in the basement or attic when you need it. In addition to the animal care supplies listed above, you’ll want to have a written list of any personal items that you would want to have on hand. These may include cell phone, palm pilot, camping gear, bicycle, sporting equipment, outdoors clothing, hiking shoes, etc. This list is an excerpt from the Disaster Planning Guidelines chapter of PSI’s Certification Program. PSI’s Certification Program is designed to provide the knowledge necessary for a PSI member to excel in pet care, health and nutrition, business and office procedures, and added services for pet-sitting businesses.

To your pet’s health and safety,

Tiffany Mann (formerly Reynolds)
Pet and Home Care, LLC
301-738-2273
care@petandhomecare.com

 

You call this Spring Virgil?!

Thank you for your valued business. It is truly wonderful to watch your families grow and change and to know that we are your trusted choice to care for your pets and home.

As you know, Pet and Home Care, LLC has continuously evolved over the past 13 years. In order to appropriately compensate our hardworking sitters and managers we need to raise our 15 minute and 30 minute visits slightly. We will be reducing the 60 minute visit price and we are adding a new 45min visit. Our overnight care and daycare fees will remain the same.

In order to improve communication we request all scheduling requests to be done through email going forward. You can either use our easy online form or directly email us.

Please see our rates below, which will be effective May 1, 2013. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions.

Daily In-Home Services

  • 15 minute visit: $16
  • 30 minute visit: $22
  • 45 minute visit: $28 ** new visit length!
  • 60 minute visit: $32 ** lowered rate!
  • Each additional dog: $5 per visit
  • 3 or more cats: $5 per visit

Overnight In-home Stays

  • $100 per 24 hours
  • $15 for each additional dog, per 24 hours

Doggy Day Care at Our Pet Resort

  • $45 for the first dog in the family, including transportation
  • $30 for the first dog in the family, not including transportation
  • $15 for each additional dog

Cage-less boarding at Resort
(transportation included within service area)

  • $60 per 24 hours
  • $40 for each additional dog, per 24 hours

Holiday Fees (Includes April 31)

  • $5 additional per In Home visit
  • $10 additional for Doggy Day Care, Cage-less boarding and In-Home overnight care, per family each 24 hour period

Thank you for understanding,

Tiffany Mann (formerly Reynolds)
Pet and Home Care, LLC
301-738-2273
care@petandhomecare.comm

We Support Pet Connect Rescue! 1-877-838-9171

PUPPY FOSTERS NEEDED!

Puppy Foster URGENTLY needed! Guinness, Grady & Gizmo are 8-9 week old Shepherd/Lab mix pups who were scheduled to be put down this week, due to an overflowing shelter. PetConnect couldn’t let the unthinkable happen, so they are arriving to the DC area. Because they are so young, they will need a foster (or adopter) who is home a good part of the day. If you can help one of these babies, please email Meghan at memiller86@gmail.com.

PetConnect Adoption

If you are interested in adopting, please complete an online application.

If you haven’t been to their new website, visit now!

Click Here to be connected.

Pet and Home Care will offers 5 free 15min visits to anyone who adopts through PetConnect!

PetConnect desperately needs your help! WHY? Because of dedicated people like YOU! Please lend a hand if you can this year and help them to save even more lives.