SAN DIEGO, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays
are for making memorable moments together, not just with two-legged
family and friends, but also with our furry, scaly, finned and
feathered family members. As pet parents prepare for the busiest
time of the year, Petco shares tips and advice to make the holidays
safe and enjoyable for pets and pet parents.
"It's our priority year-round to provide products, services,
advice and experiences that keep pets healthy and happy," said
Rebecca Frechette, SVP of
Merchandising for Petco. "During the holidays we aim to help pet
parents make the busy season stress- and worry-free, so they can
focus more on spending quality time together, celebrating their
special bond and creating lasting memories."
When it comes to holiday travel, seasonal décor and festive
gatherings that revolve around food, Petco suggests preparation is
key to minimizing potential health and safety hazards for pets.
From finding the right pet sitter or ensuring you have the right
travel gear, to using new pet technology to stay connected with
pets while you're away, Petco has pet parents covered.
- Plan ahead: The first step of holiday pet travel
is to decide if your pet will stay home or come along. If the pet
is comfortable with traveling and enjoys being along for the
ride, pet parents must plan ahead for the road trip or flight to
ensure it's a safe and stress-free experience. According to the
Humane Society of the United
States, the safest way to travel by car with a pet is in a
carrier secured in the back seat. For pets traveling by plane, pet
parents should contact the airline in advance to learn about their
specific requirements, try to book a non-stop flight, bring all
vaccination records and a note from the veterinarian confirming the
pet's healthy state. Don't forget to pack the pet's necessities
when traveling — like food, water, treats, favorite toys, leash,
collar and I.D. tag, litter and disposable litter box, and clean-up
products.
- Find a responsible pet sitter: For pets more
comfortable staying at home, pet parents should find a responsible
pet sitter who will either stay at your home with the pet, or will
care for your pet in their own home. An online service like
Rover.com can help connect you with the right sitter for you and
your pet. Provide your sitter with a detailed checklist including
feeding and treating schedules, habitat cleaning instructions,
emergency contacts and general care and maintenance information for
each animal to help them take the best care of your pet.
- Use pet technology to stay connected: Pet parents
who love getting regular updates from loved ones can stay connected
endlessly with pets with the Petcube Play Interactive Wi-Fi Camera.
The device is remotely controlled from a smartphone app, allowing
pet parents to talk and play with their pets using a 2-way audio
stream, a built-in safe laser toy and camera with a night vision
feature. For pet parents who like to keep tabs on their cat's or
dog's food intake while they are gone, the PetNet SmartFeeder
dispenses portions based on the pet's age and weight. It will also
alert the pet parent through a smartphone app when the pet has
eaten and when the food is low. Want to know if Fido is keeping
active while you're away? Track and monitor your pet's activity
with the WonderWoof BowTie Activity Monitor – this
Bluetooth-connected smart bowtie attaches to the dog's collar, and
monitors daily activity, giving pet parents real-time updates
through WonderWoof's smartphone app.
- Be aware of tinsel, frosty temperatures & seasonal
foods: Keep pets in mind during holiday decorating by
placing glass ornaments, tinsel and lights high up on the tree to
prevent potential pet hazards. Poisonous plants such as mistletoe
and poinsettias should be kept out of pets' reach. Consider booties
and a sweater or coat to keep pets warm on winter walks and use
pet-safe ice melt rather than salt for clearing walkways, as salt
can be irritating to pets' paws, mouths and stomachs. Calls to
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center increase by 20 percent during
the holidays, so avoid feeding pets table scraps like turkey skin,
stuffing, chocolate, bones, onions, sweets, spices, walnuts and
macadamia nuts.
Once pet parents have covered all bases around pet safety for
the holidays, it's time to make some memories! Pet parents can get
an adorable photo keepsake with their pet and help pets in need at
the same time with Petco's annual Photos with Santa on December 10 and 17 from 1
p.m. to 4 p.m. local time. For a donation of $9.95, pet parents and pets can strike a pose
with Santa, with 100 percent of proceeds benefitting animals in
need through the Petco Foundation.
Petco and Unleashed by Petco's assortment of products, treats,
toys and accessories — fit to make the holidays safe and less
stressful — are currently available on Petco.com and in Petco and
Unleashed by Petco stores nationwide.
For more holiday content from Petco, visit Facebook.com/Petco,
Twitter.com/Petco or Instagram.com/Petco. For images, visit
about.petco.com/holidaygifting.
About Petco and the Petco Foundation
With more than 50
years of service to pet parents, Petco is a leading pet specialty
retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between
people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services,
advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally
alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is
guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better
World. We operate more than 1,470 Petco and Unleashed by Petco
locations across the U.S., Mexico
and Puerto Rico; prescription
services and pet supplies from the leading veterinary-operated pet
product supplier, Drs. Foster & Smith; and petco.com. The Petco
Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has invested
more than $167 million since it was
created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of
companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with
and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the
country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for
more than 400,000 animals every year.
Contact:
|
Lisa Stark,
lisa.stark@petco.com
|
|
Emily Erskine,
emily.erskine@edelman.com
|
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SOURCE Petco