by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Being prepared for an emergency with your pet:

• Have proper ID tags on your dog/cat with your Cell phone # on it.

• Make sure if your dog is microchiped  – that the microchip registered with your proper contact information (many people don’t realize this) read our post here “Is your pet’s Microchip registered?“

• Have a copy of your pets most recent veterinary records with you and an extra copy in your car, take a photo of them store them on your phone as well.

• If you have to evacuate – Do you know where you are going? Is it pet friendly shelter or hotel? Can you bring your pets with you?

• If you are staying with family or friends and they have pets you should bring your pets crate with you, (or go out and buy one now), to be able to give your pet a safe secure place to be incase the pets don’t get along.

• Have an extra crate in the trunk of your car – if you have to leave in a moments notice.

• Gas up you car before the storm is close and get some cash so you have it just in case.

• Have a recent, clear picture of your pet printed out – put in a ziplock baggie, (what if you can’t re-charge your phone?)

• Store pertinent contact information for Emergency Vets within a 50 mile radius of your home and Animal Shelters in your phone (and have printed out) – you may not have wifi – so being able to access your contact list is helpful.

• Have a bag prepared and ready to go with all your pets needs.

• Always have an extra collar and leash in you car and in this bag.  And in your car also.

• Have a 1^st aid kit prepared and in the bag – I keep one in my car too.
• Take a Pet CPR and 1st Aid class – being prepared ahead, knowing what to do can save a pets life.  Click here to see the next class coming up on Long Island.
• Have a week’s supply or more of pet food and water (if you feed raw realize that you may have to feed kibble in place of that raw food in case you’re power goes out or if you are staying somewhere with your pet that has no refrigeration for the raw food.)  Also a great option for Raw is the freeze dried raw food that doesn’t have to be refrigerated.

• Any medication your pet is taking – make sure you have refills of that ready to go – call your veterinarian now – better to be safe than sorry. (Many vets will call a pets prescription into a local pharmacy if you can get to the vet’s office or if you don’t live close to your vet.)

• Have towels and blankets in your car – incase your pet is wet and needs to be dried off.

• Have a crate, carrier or cage easily accessible if you need to leave in a hurry – and you can throw it in your car. (Many store our crates in not so easy to get to places – attics, basements, if you have to grab it in a moments notice).

During the storm – if you don’t have to evacuate and you’re riding it out at home as many of us will be – remember that:

• Many pets can be completely freaked out during storms. They feel the Barometric pressure, they hear the wind, rain and thunder.   So you and your family have to be diligent about keeping them safe, indoors and confined.

• Make sure your doors leading outside are secured – so your pet doesn’t sneak outside.

• If you have a gated yard, be sure to tie or bungy cord that gate shut, and if you absolutely have to take your pet out during the storm (this is Very much NOT suggested!).  If you do have to take them out for potty, have a properly secured collar or harness on, (that they can’t slip out of), and leash your pet to take them outside.   Wear gloves or tie your dog to you when going outside so the leash doesn’t slip out of your hands.

• I personally would wait to take my dog Cody outside or only let him go potty a few feet from the door and if you have wee-wee pads in the house – see if your pet would use them.

This is not about being paranoid – this is about being prepared!

For Long Islander’s you can click here for a list of Animal Shelters below:

Long Island Town Municipal Shelters – where lost pets could be:

Town of Babylon Animal Shelter
51 Lamar Street
West Babylon – 11702
631-643-9270

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

The annual Parrot Expo held by the Long Island Parrot Society was held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Freeport Recreation Center in Freeport, N.Y.  Hundreds of bird afficiando’s flocked to the center to see the many different birds and parrots, listen to expert speakers and see many unusual and practical bird items displayed by the vendors.

Lady Gouldian Finch

Two things that stopped me in my tracks, ok 3, was the parrot stroller for sale – we have all seen the doggie strollers – but this well equipped and very nicely made stroller for your parrot was a first for this pet pro.  Made by Celltei they carried a large line of different types of carriers for your birds and othet pets. The bird stroller and other assoried bird carriers is a whole niche market in my opinion.

The 2nd item that made me stop was a very large bird cage in the center of the vendor area.  You could easily fit 20 or so people in it, standing – now that is a bird cage.

The 3rd time I was stopped in my tracks is when I noticed this beautiful black palm cockatoo.  Up until this point I never saw or heard of this bird before – very unique looking and pretty.  As soon as he saw my camera, he popped up his head feathers, turned and posed for his pic. Seriously a complete ham!

If you missed the Parrot Expo, LIPS hosts meetings every month at the American Legion Post in Babylon Village, like a mini expo every month with different speakers, product and birds to see.  For more info on LIPS click here.  For more pictures from the Parrot Expo CLICK here!

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Port Jeff for Pets adopt-a-thon and Art Walk weekend was this past Saturday & Sunday, May 19 & 20th and it drew a lot of rescue organizations from Long Island and the North East.  Hosted by Guardians of Rescue and in the parking lot of Chase Bank in Port Jefferson, NY.  It was a beautiful May weekend and a lot of wonderful cats, dogs, kittens and puppies were on hand looking for potential new homes – and the Long Island Parrot Society was there with beautiful birds.  See below for the many pictures taken throughout the weekend…and if you couldn’t make it there are many dogs and cats that were there that may not have found a home.  Contact information is below their picture.

"Please adopt me!" Vivian the Boston Terrier, 3yrs, www.nebostonrescue.com

Long Island Parrot Society

Princess - For adoption at the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter - call 631-286-4940

Boston cupcakes!

Romeo! This picture doesn't do this COMPLETE sweetheart justice! What a love bug! Town of Babylon Animal Shelter 631-643-9270

Aww 2 week old rescued kitten!

Long Island Bulldog Rescue Group 'Kiss a Bull' booth - too funny!

by Susan Chamberlain of 14KaratParrot

Bird Owner’s Guide to Selling Your Home

Are you planning to sell your home this year? Watch any television program geared toward helping people sell their homes, and you’ll learn that one of the first pieces of advice realtors give is “Relocate the pets!” It isn’t always practical to move the pets out for open houses and showings, and if you have numerous birds, it may be close to impossible.

This is the one time you can look at your birds as part of the décor. Use them to enhance the ambience of your home. I’ve sold two homes with most of my birds present. The first house was in New York and quite small, so I boarded my four Amazon parrots with a friend during the open house. The macaw, Senegal parrots and budgies remained in the house-for-sale and didn’t seem to detract from the showing. Because the ‘green gang’ and their cages were absent, the space looked larger, and the house was peaceful and quiet.

My parrots actually added to the appeal of my house in Florida. It was a piling house surrounded by tropical foliage on a barrier island, and the birds fit right in. Several of them were on the screened porch, and the Amazons and macaw were indoors. Large windows and sliding glass doors brought the outside in, and the birds seemed to be a natural part of the décor. Cages and surrounding areas were kept scrupulously clean at all times so that the house could be shown on 30 minutes notice. Consider marketing your home as your new full-time job. Estimate how long it will take to get your house ready for impromptu showings, and let your realtor know how much lead time you’ll require.

Buyers are waiting for great deals in a sluggish market and there are a lot of homes for sale, but you can compete. The first impression is the lasting impression. What will the buyer see first? A jumble of cages, bird food and play stands in the living room won’t pass muster, especially if the potential buyer isn’t a ‘bird person’.  Before you even call a Realtor®, convert your bird room back into a dining room or den. Remove the swings and perches hanging from the ceiling and stow the assortment of parrot paraphernalia that’s cluttering your bookshelves. Shampoo or replace carpeting. Green stains will not go over well.

Yvonne Papaemanuel a Licensed Sales Agent and Certified Buyer Representative (LSA/CBR) with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Ronkonkoma, NY agreed. “They’re our pets and we love them, but it doesn’t mean the potential buyer does. Cleanliness is key to everything, right alongside de-cluttering. Put all pet food and accessories away.”

Realtor® Janie Howland, an associate with Re/Max of the Islands on Sanibel Island, FL, concurred. “With any animal, I ask the seller to make the pet area as clean as possible. You don’t want people walking over bird seed or smelling pet odors. One advantage of birds over cats and dogs is that there’s virtually no odor.

“In my experience, most people like birds, but some might be put off by a very loud bird. In that case, I might move the cage to the smallest bedroom, or the den — to a room that isn’t the focal point of the home,” continued Frese. “I wouldn’t want a home that is perfect in every way to be remembered as the ‘house with that awful bird in it’! If the sellers are motivated, they should do whatever they can to minimize the negative impact of their animals. They know how their pets react to strangers coming into the room. For instance, covering the cage might keep a loud bird quiet.”

Once your house is in contract, you can begin looking for your new home. Are you looking at a development or a condo? Review the rules regarding noise and pets. Are you planning an outdoor aviary? Check the zoning regulations.  Do you want cathedral ceilings so your macaw will have plenty of headroom?  A roll-in shower for bird cages? A sunporch for your cockatiels? Happy house hunting!

Biting and Other Problems

If you have aggressive birds, post signs in front of cages warning people away. Ms. Papaemanuel suggested keeping it friendly with something like, “We know we’re cute, but please don’t touch!”

Tell your agent not to allow people to poke at the birds, or remain in the house to supervise if you feel it’s necessary. “It’s better to be absent during showings,” according to Papaemanuel, “because it makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine the home as their own. If you remain in the home, tend to the pets but leave all the talking to the agent. Don’t hover. Stay out of the way. On the plus side, there may be some questions that need answering and you can do so on the spot.”

Janie Howland addressed another situation that occurs quite frequently. “When another realtor shows one of my listings and there are animals present, I warn them about what to expect. I instruct the realtor to control the client. I tell them not to approach the cage and not to stick their fingers in the cage. If I have any misgivings, I’ll accompany them to the showing.” (It should be noted that Ms. Howland sells homes on an island where it is not unusual to encounter 6-foot iguanas on a porch or pet peacocks in the yard!)

Some people are superstitious about birds indoors. Others may be fearful. Ask your Realtor® to advise potential clients that you have pet birds prior to a showing, and if necessary, arrange to temporarily relocate the feathered members of your family.

“During an open house, you never know who’s coming through, so you can’t forewarn potential buyers that birds are present,” said Papaemanuel. “Keep the attention off the birds, even if you need to cover them during an open house. Keep the focus on the house.”

Security

In general, people perceive exotic birds as valuable. Don’t include your birds in virtual tour or online photos, especially if the address of your home is included in the listing. Using a real estate agent makes it more likely that prospects will be screened to some degree.

“Don’t mention pending trips, work schedules or other away-from-home activities in front of prospective buyers,” Yvonne Papaemanuel advised, “Remove daily calendars and phone numbers from sight. If a buyer asks you about availability for a future showing, say you’ll get back to the sales agent with the information.  You never know who’s walking into your house. For added security, work with certified buyer’s agent. That agent is working for the buyer, much like a personal shopper and the buyer is going to be screened and pre-approved.”

Bird owner’s Top Ten Selling Tips

De-clutter.  Pack non-essential items and stack boxes neatly in the garage or other non-living area. If necessary, rent a storage unit. Store bird carriers, travel cages, play stands and other avian ‘furniture’ out of sight.  Potential buyers will open cabinet doors and drawers. Make sure bird food is neatly organized in a designated space.

De-personalize: Remove family photos and personal items from view. Yes, you can leave that gorgeous macaw portrait over the fireplace, but remove and store knick-knacks and other decorative avian items. Take your beloved “Beware of Attack Parrot” sign down and pack it away for you next home.

Deodorize. Healthy birds and clean cages are not odiferous. Make sure cages are pristine. Wash floors, shampoo the rugs, launder draperies and bedding and don’t smoke indoors. One of the first things prospective buyers notice is how the house smells. Simmer a little potpourri on the stove prior to a showing, and open the windows for fresh air.

Dust! Be aware that people with allergies may look at your home. Mist your birds daily to reduce dander. Change cage tray paper just prior to a showing. Use an electronic air filter to further reduce airborne allergens. Change or wash air conditioner filters frequently, and vacuum daily. When possible, open windows during showings.

Advertise in bird related publications and on avian websites. What makes your home ideal for your birds may attract a buyer with birds. My current home has a 28 foot conservatory style room that’s perfect for birds and it’s right up the hill from a top-notch bird store!

Are your birds nervous around strangers?  Cover the cages or advise people not to approach them. Take your bird out for a ride during showings or relocate your pet to a friend’s house.

Noisy birds?  Relocate to a friend’s or cover the cages. Play soft background music to soothe the tropical soul.

Do you have an unused area to relocate birds, such as finished basement, enclosed porch or playroom?  Designate that area as a temporary bird room.

Move cage to a large room or area so it doesn’t dominate the room. Buy some large, inexpensive potted palms at Home Depot and place them strategically near cages for a tropical look.

Is your bird’s cage beginning to look shabby? This is the ideal time to purchase a new one. Think of it as a ‘home improvement’ that will help sell your house!

©Susan Chamberlain 2011–No part of this article may be reprinted or reproduced without the express, written permission of the author.

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

While we may love the 4th of July and all the pomp and circumstance – it may be a very different story for our four legged and feathered friends. Sudden loud fireworks going off nearby, loud parties, or just having more friends and family over can very easily stress out your otherwise well behaved pets. To enjoy the 4th, here are some simple tips to help your pet and family make it through the weekend!

• Make sure you have a collar with ID tags on your pets at all times during this weekend.  Some owners like to take their pet’s flat collar off when they are in the house – but the first block buster that goes off could scare your pet so much they may bolt out your front door and take off.
• If you know your pet is terrified of loud noises, try using products like Rescue Remedy® or Canine Calm™ or in extreme cases contact your veterinarian for tranquilizer/valium pills ahead of time.
• Leave your pets home in a secured house.  Pets do not need to be at firework shows, it’s almost inhumane if you are not sure of how your dog may react.  Know your dog, some dogs don’t seem to mind, but think about their sensitive hearing.
• Having a 4th BBQ? Friends and family tend to want to feed your dog or cat while at a party, to avoid this ask them not to or have your pet in a safe cool room away from all the guests.  Check on the pet often, make sure he has fresh water and a comfy place to sleep away from the crowd.  (Lock the door if you can!) Guests that are not pet savvy could accidentally open or leave the door open and the pet could escape.
• Parades and pets.  Some dogs, horses, and yes even cats are fine while attending a parade with you.  Again, know your pet – if you see the animal shaking, panting, drooling, pulling on the leash – those are all signs of stress.  Some pets do not do well in large crowds, people, kids petting poking at them, loud sirens from fire trucks going by, etc.  If you see your dog is stressed – leave the parade – don’t comfort the dog with, “It’s ok” while petting the panicked animal – that will just make it worse.
• Bringing your dog out on your boat or too the beach? Bring plenty of cold bottled water, pet safe bug spray and sunscreen, extra leash and collar with ID, treats, doggie life jacket, and monitor them for overheating, bug bites, ticks and make sure their paws are not on hot surfaces for a long time -concrete and sand can be scorching- and of course bring poop pick up bags!
• Traveling for the 4th and bringing your pet?  Find out where the nearest 24hour emergency clinic is at your destination.  Make sure there are no Breed Restrictions at your location.  While en route use a safety harness that clips into the seatbelt of your car, or crate your pet while traveling. Have a first aid kit in your car especially for pets and bring extra pet food and water – you never know if your car breaks down you get stuck somewhere.