Bregman Veterinary Group: July 2016

Monday, July 11, 2016

Must-Know Emergency Fire Safety For Your Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

July 15^th is Pet Fire Safety Day, the best way to celebrate is to be prepared! Here are some tips to avoid an issue and what to do in the case of an emergency.

1. Pet-proof your house.

Keep things out of reach of your pet such as flammable items and electrical wires.

2. Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly.

Replace the batteries regularly and educate your family on fire safety. Each bedroom in your house should have a smoke alarm in it at all times.

3. Check that your pet is microchipped and is wearing a collar with updated information.

This way your pet has a way of being returned to you in case you get separated from them during a fire. Make sure if you move or change your contact information you update your pet’s collars.

4. Never leave your pet alone around an open flame.

If you have a high energy pet it might be best to avoid lighting candles. Absolutely never leave an open flame unattended.

5. Get a rescue alert sticker.

This is to alert a rescue worker that there may be a pet in the home. Be sure to place it on a front-facing window where it can visibly be seen. They can be obtained online at petrescuestickers.com or on Amazon. Some pet stores and non-profit humane organizations offer these stickers for free. If there is ever an emergency, be sure to alert firefighters that a pet is inside.

If you cannot find your pet during an emergency situation and need to evacuate, leave a door open that leads to the outside. Once outside you can then call your pets name, this tends to work better with dogs than with cats.

In case of an emergency call 911 or your local emergency services.

Nassau County Emergency Management (516)573-0636

Nassau County Fire Commission (516)573-9900

Orlando Office of Emergency Management (321)235-5438

Orlando Fire Safety Management/Fire Inspectors (407)246-2386

New York Emergency Management (212)639-9675

The Cat Hospital

877-228-4131

5th Avenue Cat Clinic

718-398-1187

Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital

718-782-8387

Friday, July 1, 2016

How to Ensure Your Pets are Safe During the 4th of July

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Most animals become frightened and stressed out by fireworks because of the loud sounds. In fact, July 5^th is one of the busiest days for animal shelters because many animals tend to run away. Statistics show a 30 to 60% increase in lost animals every year between the 4th of July and the 6th.

So how can you keep your pet stress-free during the holiday? You should first designate a safe space for your pets during the festivities. A quiet place inside is preferable to block out some of the sound. You can also play soft, calm music or put on the television to block out some of the noise. If you notice that your pet seems to be nervous or is pacing around you can try to distract them with a treat or two.

Most importantly make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag on their collar with updated information, just in case of an emergency. If your pet is outside during the fireworks and becomes startled, it may try to run away. It might also be a good idea (not just for the holiday) to have your animals microchipped.

Fireworks aren’t the only threat to your pet on the Fourth of July, be sure to place alcoholic drinks out of reach from your pets, especially if left unattended. Keep glow sticks away too because the substance inside can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested.

Hopefully with these tips both you and your pet can have an enjoyable Independence Day holiday.