Seattle Pet Trust Attorney

 

Winter Tips for your Companion Animal

  • Pets are affected by the cold winter weather.  Cats, seeking heat, will often climb onto the warm engine under the hood of a car.  This puts them at risk of injury when the driver starts up the car.  Rap on the hood of your vehicle to alert any animal who has taken refuge.  It may scare your pet off the car.
  • Animals suffer from hypothermia and frostbite just like people.  Be mindful of the cold weather and its effect on your pet.
  • Wash off your pet's feet after it has walked around outside. It may have picked up rock salt or de-icing chemicals on its paws.
  • Vehicle antifreeze is poison!  And it tastes sweet, so it is a temptation to animals.
  • Use plastic bowls rather than metal bowls to prevent lips and tongues from freezing to the cold bowl.

Holiday Plants – Poison for your Pet?

See the WSU article about myths and realities of poinsettias, mistletoe, macadamia nuts, and more. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/newsletters/winter2008.pdf

Seattle Pet Trust Attorney Van Nuys Law Office PLLC

Companion animals are good for your health!
Animals can be good for both your mental and physical health.  The research has shown that having pets improves heart health, as well as enhancing abilities in activities of daily living (ADL), and emotional health.  To learn more, see the article from Swedish Medical Center at http://www.swedish.org/15309.cfm. There are psychological benefits associated with having pets, too.  See the article entitled, "Therapeutic Aspects of the Human-Companion Animal Interaction" at  http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/54671.

Grieving the death of your pet? 

     WSU has a Pet Loss Hotline for those who would like to reach out for a caring listener. WSU’s Pet Memorial Program offers families a

wonderful way to memorialize and celebrate the life of their pet while supporting the education of future veterinary care providers.

To contact the Pet Loss Hotline, call 509-335-5704 or e-mail

plhl@vetmed.wsu.edu.

     Additionally, the Delta Society offers resources to address companion animal bereavement.  Click here to connect.  http://www.deltasociety.org/AnimalsHealthPetlossResource1.htm

The United States Humane Society (USHS) talks about grieving the loss of one’s pet, too.  http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/coping_with_the_death_of_your_pet/

     The USHS offers some specific ways to handle grief: 

·         Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.

·         Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear. The Delta Society offers a list of pet loss hotlines for those grieving over the death of a pet.

·         Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.

·         Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one.  You may also want to ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter about available pet loss hotlines.

·         Explore the Internet for pet loss support groups and coping information.

·         Prepare a memorial for your pet.

Laws pertaining to animals in any state can be found at the Michigan State University College of Law: Animal Legal & Historical Web Center http://www.animallaw.info/.   

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