Make it a happy new year for animals
The new year brings intentions to improve our lives, but what about our pets? Are we doing all we can do to ensure our furry (and feathered and scaled) friends are safe, healthy and happy? How about the wildlife we’re so lucky to live amongst? Are we recognizing their place and learning to peacefully coexist?
Veterinary care
If you grew up with parents like mine who were well-meaning but a bit old-school when it came to animals, your family probably only took their pets to the veterinarian when it was time for them to get spayed or neutered or if they were really sick. Thankfully, most people now realize the importance of vaccinations, regular checkups and even dental work for our pets.
Animals are good at hiding pain and other symptoms, so it’s important they’re seen by someone trained to know what to look for. A cat not using the litterbox or a dog exhibiting anxiety may be expressing symptoms of a medical issue, so it’s always a good idea to contact your veterinarian when behavior issues arise.
Identification
It’s a heart-wrenching feeling when your pet becomes lost. Fortunately, many animals are reunited with their worried families thanks to something the size of a grain of rice. Microchips have revolutionized our ability to find the guardians of pets that become lost. They’re safe, inexpensive and serve as your pet’s permanent ticket home. Microchips are easily implanted via injection between the pet’s shoulders. The guardian’s information is then matched to the chip and kept in a national database. Shelters and veterinarians use a handheld scanner that can read a chip in seconds. Be sure to update your information with the chip company if you move or change phone numbers.
Marin Humane offers microchipping by appointment. It’s free for cats, thanks to a generous donor, and just $25 for dogs.
Your dog or cat should also wear a collar (breakaway for cats) and tags with your information easily visible. Collars are especially important for cats allowed to go outside. Marin Humane strongly encourages people to keep cats indoors only, however, if you do let your cat outside, having a collar and/or tag is critical.
Dogs should also have their license attached to their collar. Not only is it another form of identification, but it’s required by law in Marin County.
Behavior help
A pet that misbehaves is often not the happiest of pets. Mental and physical boredom can lead to destructive behavior, excessive barking or other troublesome habits. Anxiety and fearfulness can also make for difficult-to-manage behaviors. But if we address the causes of the behavior and set our pets up for success through training or increased enrichment and exercise, we’re ensuring a happier pet and a more peaceful home for everyone. Marin Humane has free behavior handouts at marinhumane.org/oh-behave.
Our wildlife neighbors
From owls, deer, coyotes and raccoons to the beautiful herons and egrets that grace our waterways, having such wildlife abundance is why many of us chose Marin as our home. Which is all the more reason to practice peaceful coexistence. This includes using humane methods to protect our gardens and homes from unwanted visitors, resisting the urge to feed wildlife (it puts them at great risk), not letting our dogs chase wildlife or harm sensitive ecosystems, not trimming trees during the spring when active nests may be present and contacting Marin Humane or WildCare when you see a wild animal in distress.
We wish you a happy new year! Let’s make it a great one for all of us, animals included.
Lisa Bloch is the director of marketing and communications for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions about our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.