New Year's Resolutions

Make a New Year's Resolution to help animals!

My HSUS 2008 Pet Lover's Calendar starts the year with some very good advice--create a Pet Disaster Kit and a special 1st Aid Kit for your pets. These 2 items go hand-in-hand, and can be stored together. I already have a huge 1st aid kit, but despite the time I spent in New Orleans rescuing animals from a disaster and the numerous disaster trainings I have attended, I have no disaster kit (a problem I plan to rectify toot-sweet)! Take the quiz to see if you are prepared!

Creating your pet disaster kit requires some up front spending and a little storage space. Collapsible crates are recommended for easy storage and transport in a disaster. You'll also need water and food for at least 5 days, your pets' medical records (I keep them in the 1st aid kit), any medicine your pet takes on a regular basis, ID tags, leash, small litter box and litter, current photos and description, and a big tote to put all this stuff in. Toys, blankets, beds, etc., can also be added, and would make your pet feel more at home.

Don't think you'll ever be affected by a disaster? What if your house catches fire? Or consider how close you live to the railroad tracks, the interstate, or any road that a truck can drive on, and you have the potential to be evacuated due to a chemical spill. Depending on the type of chemicals, you and your pets could be away from home for several days. HSUS Disaster Center has a ton of online information for pets, livestock, and horses--information that could save your animals' lives! More information is available from PETA and the ASPCA.

A 1st aid kit for your pet is a necessity in a disaster and for every day use. HSUS has lists of recommended items for your dog or cat. Number one on both lists is a good first aid handbook. I personally have The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats, by Amy Shojai, which includes a list of essentials for your 1st aid kit and a list of human medications that can be used for your pets (always consult your veterinarian first). The Red Cross offers 2 first aid books, one for dogs and one for cats. They also offer Pet 1st Aid courses at select chapters; the Roanoke Chapter is one of them. They do not have a class scheduled for 2008 yet, but they will call me when they do. If you are interested in attending this class, please let me know! They also mentioned the possibility that the Radford Chapter could offer the class, but I believe Bobby has already checked on this for us, and the cost for them to purchase the canine CPR mannequins is prohibitive.

As always, prevention is the best medicine, so check out information on how to protect your pets from common household dangers from HSUS and PETA (menu on right). ASPCA also has a huge list of pet care tips.

Need more New Year's Resolution ideas? Check out the list compiled by HSUS or Wayne Pacelle's blog. PETA also has a list of resolutions, and be sure to check out the Top 10 Reasons to Go Vegetarian in 2008.

As for my own resolutions, I'm not sure what else I can do. I already save over 100 animals per year by simply not eating them. I don't use products that have been tested on animals (lists of companies that do/don't test on animals available here). I don't wear shoes or clothing made from animals (more info here). I don't attend circuses, rodeos, zoos, or any other event or venue that uses animals for entertainment (yep, more info). I spend as much time as I can spare at the shelter. I spoil the heck out of my 2 dogs and 4 cats. I call local animal control offices and police departments with complaints of cruelty to animals every time I see it. I annoy every human being I meet with spay/neuter information. I'll just resolve to keep doing all that!

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

Happy New Year, everyone!