With the downturn in the economy here in S.E. Michigan, many folks are experiencing extreme hardship and having to make difficult choices just to survive. So many are examining their budgets with more scrutiny and shedding any expenses that they can. For some, it means cutting back on even necessary things. While some are able to negotiate ways to stay in their homes, they may have decided that they are no longer able to provide adequate necessities like food for their beloved pets. They are making the choice to relinquish their pets to the Huron Valley Humane Society in Ann Arbor. HSHV has had a 75% increase in owner surrendered animals due to the number of foreclosures, evictions, etc. That is astounding.
On October 26 of this year, HSHV launched Bountiful Bowls, a food assistance program that can help pet owners supplement the food requirements of their pets. There are guidelines to meet to qualify, and it looks like a great program. If you, a loved one or a client is in need, please pass this along. It is likely that HSHV is in need of additional food donations to meet the needs of this program, so if you are in the area, stop and drop off a bag of pet food if you are able. Your effort will hold the possibility of keeping every member of a family together, which is something that we should all have - even the furry, wet nosed members.
With the holidays coming, there are more opportunities for your pets to ingest foods that are bad for them - or even deadly.
As a pet professional, I remind my clients that there is a list of foods to avoid:
Be sure to consult the ASPCA's website for additional tips during the holidays!
Keeping your pets' nutrition in check this time of year and always is key. Occasionally, dogs can get diarrhea/constipation. Adding one tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin to their food can assist in equalizing the water balance in the digestive tract, thusly getting things back to normal. Additionally, adding the same amount of canned pumpkin to your dogs food can help curb coprophagia, a condition that compels dogs to consume feces. The pumpkin evidently causes the fecal matter to smell and taste pretty disgusting to them!
Are you keeping up on the details of the recent pet food recall by the FDA? The FDA updates info on its website when it becomes available, so check back frequently.
Did you know that grain can be a main cause of allergy in dogs? Additionally, grain can be a culprit in aggravating inflammatory diseases like arthritis & asthma. There are many grain free kibble diets from several purveyors available from local pet supply and feed stores. After several months of trying to address allergy issues with our Gretchen, and much research, I knew that a grain free diet was best for my pets. I personally feed my 2 dogs and cat Taste of the Wild, and EVO, respectively. Advantages to grain free diets include firmer, less smelly stools (and fewer of them!), more dense nutrition - among others.
Traveling with your pet or moving them to this area? Be sure to stick to their feeding routine - and have plenty of their own food on hand. Switching food can cause digestive upset. I always require my clients to clearly dictate any dietary needs so that they can be kept in place. Any change in routine can cause tummy troubles, primarily in cats - so I keep that in mind when caring for any pet.
If you are considering a trip over the holiday season, I still have limited availability for sitting! Call me to discuss your pets needs.
I'm a professional pet sitter in the areas of W. Ann Arbor, Dexter & Chelsea. With many years of direct experience, I offer the compassionate care & attention needed to ensure your pets' well being.
Consider the following...
You can keep your critters happy in their own home & on
their own schedule while you travel or work long hours! Additionally, if you are considering a move to the area - or are already here, you might know how difficult it can be to have to leave town for a few days after a recent move & have to upset you pets' schedule by having to take them to a kennel. Keeping them in their new home is key to maintaining good behavior, their health and their routine.
Going on vacation? Why not have an apt caregiver on hand for your pets to take care of things while you're away? Your animals can stay in their own surroundings, where they are familiar and comfortable - and free from contagious disease. You will never have to make arrangements to take your pets to be boarded before you leave for your trip - or think about if you'll have to get back in time before the facility closes for pickup. My clients know that they can call anytime while they are away to check in to see how things are going. I know how difficult it can be for some pets when Mom and Dad need to go away for any length of time, so I try to make concessions to ensure the experience is fun and positive so that you can vacation - stress free!
The benefits...
*your pets remain in their own environment
*no risk of exposure to illness of other animals
*avoid the stress of kennels
*no need to ever plan vacation around kennel times
*pets get the individualized attention they deserve!
Are you considering a move to the Ann Arbor area? New to the area? You are probably aware of how stressful a move can be for your pets, too! It's important to establish a trusted individual who will be around to care for them who they know they - and you - can count on.
Do you have a very young pet who needs extra TLC in your absense and kenneling is not right for you? Or, if you have a pet who is advanced in age and would benefit from a familiar face checking in on them - taking the extra time to address their specific needs, then you're in luck.
I have expertise in animal health, nutrition and behavior. Mine is a holistic approach all the way around. Each pet is treated as an individual, and their specific needs are addressed accordingly. Bischons have different needs than Rottweilers, just as the needs of a Devon Rex differ from that of a Domestic Shorthair. As you will learn about me, I am a pet parent, first and foremost. I have the same concerns about the treatment and well-being of my pets as you do yours.
You get the benefits of a housesitter when you book my services as well, to give your home that 'lived-in' look while you are away. I bring in mail, water plants, alternate light, set sleep timers to radio/TV, shovel/salt walkways if needed and check your home for security and safety.
My business is not limited to cats and dogs. I also have experience with birds, like Cockatoos and Mustache Parakeets, too. Additionally, my experience extends into the arena of caring for frogs, anoles and the like. Have a pot bellied pig, rats/mice, pet snake or other 'unusual' pet? I welcome those on my schedule as well!
I am a fellow pet owner, first and foremost! I believe it takes a
village to raise healthy, well-adjusted animals. My partner
Chris Glahn and I own 2 large breed dogs - Gretchen, a St. 
Bernard/Shepard mix, who is 10 and Bruiser, a 7 year old
Lab/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Silver, a 11 year old domestic
shorthair cat rounds out the family.
I have owned my residential cleaning company for over 14
years and throughout that time, I have served as caregiver to
many of my clients pets - whether the pet parents were on
vacation or just away at work for long periods of time. Doggy
walks, potty breaks and even overnight visits and house sitting
have become a part of my role in my business. After some
time, I thought, 'Why not offer my services to everyone?' The
idea quickly took off and many pets and their families have
benefited.
I've helped pet parents attain peace of mind by scheduling
vacation visits 2-3 x per day. I work with dogs who need daily
30 minute playtime visits to help build confidence and proper
socialization - or to just be a dog and burn off a little of that
extra energy! I care for aging dogs who need that extra bit of
care when Mom and Dad can't be there. I've assisted families
with new puppies and kittens by scheduling regular visits for
potty breaks to facilitate easier housebreaking, and better
results with obedience training. Additionally, I have assisted
clients pets who are entering their end-of-life stage, with extra
care and attention, just when they need it. There are many
more benefits to implementing my services.
My philosophy as I said before is that it takes a village to raise
healthy, well-adjusted pets. The core of that is trust, a caring
attitude and being truly knowledgeable about our pets. The
pets that I care for are like an extension of my own family. I look
forward to welcoming yours as well.
-Lorrie
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