by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
The official start to summer has begun and with it are many, many pet events taking place all across our isle. Just this past weekend I attended two events in the Hamptons were all about pets, the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF), had a wine tasting benefit at the Southampton Center, (former Parish Art Museum), where celebrities, the mayor of Southampton and many supporters came out to enjoy the early evening benefit. As you enterd you were greeted by some of their precious shelter animals that are for adoption too. One blue pit bull had the best ears I have seen – think French bulldog ears on a pit! This dog was so, so sweet and cute – they currently have about 200 animals available for adoption. If you have never been to their shelter located in Hampton Bays – you should – it is a beautiful facility and they emplore play groups with many of their dogs so they are socialized!
From there the SASF event in Southampton, I then headed to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, (ARF), annual Designer Showcase at their beautiful thrift store in Sagaponack (located minutes from Bridgehampton village). The house turned thrift store has each room decorated by different interior designers, each with a different flare – something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention the adorable pets they too had on hand in their mobile unit. I personally wanted to take home the two 8-week old sibling kittens that were having a blast playing with each other. OMC (That’s Oh My Cat people!) they were just too cute. If you missed the showcase – that’s ok you can stop in the thrift store anytime seven days a week and shop and know your purchases are going towards rescue animals.
This summer while out on the east end, be sure to pick up a copy of the much anticipated Hamptons Pet Magazine which will be available the 3rd week of June (on or about June 25th). This premeir collectors edition issue will feature: Pet Culture; Health & Wellness; Grooming; Travel; Training; Celebrity Insights; Seasonal Health; Pet Fashion; Animal Rescue & Welfare; High Tech Pets and more. The ultimate Summer magazine for Pets and People and written by local and national pet writers.
If you are one to summer in the Hamptons, or visit for a weekend or two – you definitely want to check out the upcoming pet events below and don’t forget about the North Fork – which also offer many wonderful events starting with this weekend at Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue’s ‘The Mane Event’ benefitting their Horse Rescue taking place on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 7pm. Click here for info.
Here are a few upcoming East End events:
- SASF – Southampton Animal Shelter’s Hamptons Dog Walk and dog park opening, Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 10am>> Click here to register and find out more.
- ARF – 28th Annual Garden Tour – Saturday, June 21, 2014>> Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.
- NFAWL – Summer Gala on the Corso Estate in Cutchogue, Saturday, August 2, 2014.>> Click here for more info.
- Wildlife Center of the Hampton’s Annual Get Wild event on Saturday, August 9, 2014, 6pm >> Click here for more info.
- PetHero Awards, Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 7pm, held at a private residence, click here for more info.
- Hampton Classic Horse Show, August 23 – 31, 2014. Click here.
And be sure to sign up for our weekly Pet Events Newsletter so you do miss any events happening in the tri-state area and beyond! SIGN UP HERE!
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
A common misconception among pet owners is that having your pets microchipped, that once the dog or cat is chipped, then your pet is protected. If your pet ever gets lost, the microchip will help bring your beloved pet back to you. Yes, the microchip has brought countless pets back to their owners – we have all read the amazing stories of pets being reunited after long journeys all because of the microchip. Did you know how many pets are microchipped – but their pet parents fail to register them?
I know you might be sitting there reading this, saying, “What? I thought the rescue I adopted Buddy from registered him?” Or, “I thought when I got him from the animal shelter they registered him with my info before I left with him.” Nope. Wait let me say that louder NOPE!
Many pets go missing especially during the holidays – and while the pet may be microchipped, more often than not, if they are found by a good samaratin and brought to an animal shelter or veterianarian office to be scanned for a microchip – and the chip is not registered. So the shelter then has no idea who the pet belongs to and most shelters after a 7-day hold on the pet, the pet is then put up for adoption.
“Puppies that people purchase at a pet stores – or adopt from a private rescue group, may be microchipped already – but you need to register your new pet with your information, immediately,” said Joanne Daly, Shelter Supervisor of the Town of Islip Animal Shelter and Adopt-a-Pet Center. “You are usually given paper work from a rescue group, animal shelter or pet store with what company the pet’s microchip is registed with, new pet owners need to call that company and have the microchip put under their name. We chip our pets here, and put the information in the adoption packet and on the number of the chip on the medical records to so that when the pet owner brings their newly adopted pet to the vet, the vet also has the microchip info.”
So what to do? You need to register your pet with a microchip company. Putting in your information, means putting in your most up to date info. Most people keep the same cell phone number, so having that in there would be my first choice. And also your home number and alternate number just in case they can reach you at the first number.
When I asked how common is it for a dog to be brought to the animal shelter with a microchip that is not registered, Ms. Daly answered, ” It happens quite often.”
Now most vet offices and animal shelters have a universal scanner to detect all types of microchips, which makes it much easier for your pet to be identified. Joanne said, “We have even picked up dogs that are microchipped overseas with our universal scanner. We always scan any animal brought in twice at our shelter to insure it was not missed if the pet is chipped.”
Here are some companies you can look into on microchipping your pet.
www.avidid.com – microchipping company
www.24petwatch.com – 24PetWatch’s Lost Pet Recovery is there to not only identify your pet, but to reunite you as soon as they’re found. Thanks to 24PetWatch’s microchip, you can be reunited safely and quickly.
Joanne Daly also said, “Cats too should be micropped, even if they are an indoor cat, accidents happen and indoor cats do get outside.”
If your pet is not microchipped, most animal shelters can microchip your pet, as well as rescue groups and even your vet’s office may provide the service. A lot of private rescue groups also offer low cost microchipping on a regular basis.
If you’re pet is lost, and he does not have a collar with ID tags or a microchip, the first thing you should do is contact your local town municipal shelter and let them know, and if you can bring them a picture with all your appropriate contact info. I would also contact the privately owned animal shelters too – to let them know your pet is missing, send them a picture, age if the the pet is on meds, etc.
Social media has exploded over recent years with ‘Lost and Found pages on Facebook’. Look in your local area, town, city, state to see if there is one set up for you. Post the picture of your pet, where and when he was lost, if the pet is in need of meds, friendly, nervous around strangers, etc. This will be very helpful in finding your pet.
On Long Island – https://www.facebook.com/Lostandfound.petslongisland
In Queens – https://www.facebook.com/QueensLostandFoundPets
In Staten Island https://www.facebook.com/lostand.statenisland?fref=ts
Another website that is very helpful is Pet Amber Alert, they offer many services to help you recover your pet if gone missing, even putting out a phone call to thousands in your surrounding neighborhood letting your community know a pet is missing.
You can also easliy search Facebook for pages near where you live for similar pages. Craigslist is another popular site to post your missing pet in the pets section where you live. And the good old fashioned way of posting fliers around your neighborhood with photo, and contact number for someone to call you if they have your pet.
Bottom line? If your pet is microchipped, stop what you are doing and make sure your pet is registered with you!
Thanks to Laura Jeane and Gus who inspired this article!
By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Pawliday shopping ideas to help you shop for the furry friends and their owners in your life!
It’s here! The crazy hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season! Our pet holiday shopping guide is geared to help you shop for the pet lover in your life, your own pets and the pet professional that helps you throughout the year. Don’t forget about the dog groomer, pet sitter, trainer, doggie day care people who care for your dog as if they were their own.
1. First you want Fluffy to smell great in-between grooming visits or if you are bathing your pup yourself you have to check out the luxorious line from Dog Fashion Spa. The perfect holiday gift for that pet lover you don’t know what to get (or maybe a hint that their pooch needs a bath! BOL!)
2. After you have your dog smelling and looking good, you might want to capture that moment by a professional Pet Photographer.
These days their are pet photographers all over the country, and here on Long Island you can contact Dee is for Dogs and see when she has photo’s with Santa set up or book a private session. This would make for a great gift for the pet owner in your life that make not be great with the camera – getting a professional pet photo gift certificate!
Click here to find more pet photographers in the NY/LI area.
3. Another way you can show you care for your pet during the holidays is hire a pet sitter and dog walker to help walk your dog. We all get busy and maybe Fido is not getting as much exercise as normal. There are professional pet sitters everywhere these days, but be sure to interview them, get references and do a meet and greet with your dog to make sure your dog is comfortable with them. If you are in the Westbury, Carle Place or Jericho areas of New York contact Beatriz Lewis of Wiggily-Waggily, she will do a no obligation meet and greet. For more pet sitters across NY/LI areas click here. Also you should book soon as pet sitters get really booked this time of year.
4. All that walking is going to make your dog hungry! For the pet owner who is looking into cooking healthy and nutritious meals for their pets – and do it themselves at home, a book written by Christine Filardi a certified holistic chef for animals, this book is the perfect gift. Home Cooking For Your Dog has recipes that you can make at home and shop for the ingredients in your local grocery store. It is beautifully illustrated and wonderful pictures of dogs in it as well.
5. Another product that any pet owner would love is a CritterZoneUSA Air Naturalizer – and for the holiday’s they have special travel pack available. I have this product and it works, in small spaces larger rooms, it gets rid of that stinky puppy smell (and any bad smell for that matter) rather quickly. They have a special happening to, use code LIPP13 when you check out and save $10.00 on the travel pack unit priced at $109.95. I love the unit for my car, since my dog travels a lot in the car with me – it really helps get rid of that dog smell.
6. Looking for that perfect holiday card to send out? Have your favorite breed in mind? Then you want to check out these holiday cards done by Beth Weiner Lipson of MyPetArtWork.com. A lovely way to give a personalized gift to the pit bull, bulldog or beagle afficiando in your life. The are various breeds you can choose from, holiday cards, love cards, mugs, t-shirts and more. Beth can also do a pet portrait from your picture – the ultimate holiday or birthday gift. You can see more images of holiday items here.
7. A beautifully crafted piece of jewerly always makes anyone smile, and if it has diamonds and a paw print in it – even better! Our Paws for Cause is a non-profit rescue group that does incredible work and was started by Candy Udell of London Jewelers. You can shop their line of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and dog tags and a portion of each sale will be donated to help build and support model humane no-kill shelters providing rescue spay and neuter services. Its a beautiful way to show someone you care and help a great mission at the same time.
8. Have an active dog owner who likes to go on hikes and outings with their pup? A great gift you can give is buy a pre-made portable first aid kit – so that when they are out in the middle of the woods, in case of a cut or scrap they will be able to take care of it right there. Or you can make your own with and be sure to put in the items listed here. And also a great product to have incase you do have an issue is Dr. Emmo’s Pet First Aid products. I have used both the wound care gel for scraps and cuts on my own Max and just used the eye wash which did wonders for a slight allergy infection he had in his eye.
9. Treats! Don’t forget the treats! It’s such a great house warming gift to bring, (along with some wine for the humans please!), when you go to a holiday party this year. If you know they are pet owners, they will love getting something for their favorite fur-child too. There are many different holiday designed doggie treats these days to choose from, and they look good enough to eat – so be sure to tell them they are for the dog!
10. Make a donation in their pets name or their name. A fantastic way to show you care, is to make a monetary donation to your favorite pet owners to their favorite animal rescue organization. You can also find out what the animal rescue group needs, make up a donation with those items and go together to drop off the donation. Often times the non-pet owner will get just as big of a gift by doing so. A nice thing to do together, and see the animals in need.
And don’t forget to shop your small pet businesses on Saturday, November 30, 2013 for Shop Small Saturday! Get out there an support your local pet businesses!
Happy Paw-lidays!
By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
The Total Pet Expo, by H.H. Backer Associates was held in Chicago this past weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and there were 2 levels of pet products, and nearly 700 booths to see. The show, which debuted a new name and earlier time in the season were expecting about 8,000 buyers to attend. A few buyers I spoke with said they loved that it was earlier in the season, because it makes it easier for them prepare their pet shops, supply stores, boutiques and grooming shops ready for the holiday season.
While there was so much to take in some products jumped out at you – like this blinged out dog feeding station from. They had many different colors and styles to choose from. While I love the look of this, and know many of my doggie fashionista friends will too, maybe not for the drooliest dog! (How do you clean that so it stays so sparkly? Or maybe that is your dog’s holiday china?)
A couple of the interactive toys that stood out to me were Kong’s new Kong Quest, (get it? love the play on words), and Planet Dog’s Orbee-Tuff Snoop. Both have completely different designs to keep your pup busy and active while trying to get a treat. And I think Kong’s could be used for a cat too – maybe with Halo’s Liv-a-Little’s treats put in there – how to drive a cat crazy! The Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop can also hold a ball too – so for that ball obessed dog this could be a neat toy to watch them get the ball out with treats hidden underneath! For us humans to clean the toy, you can easily pop the top up and clean it.
Of course while I was there I had to stop by and say hi to our friends at Earth Rated the makers of PoopBags. They have been so supportive of many Long Island pet events and have such a great, biodegradable, earth friendly product. (I use everyday while walking Max!) They are currently in 4,000 stores across the US, so if some reason your pet retailer doesn’t carry the product, request it!
Speaking of Long Island, one of our very own members of Long Island Pet Professionals, Bob Brennan was also at the show as a vendor with his great products, Dr. Emmo’s Pet First Aid by Pet Clenz. This is a great product and I use the Wound Care Gel on Max, really gentle and helped him a lot with a small wound he had on his foot. They are now coming out with a product for horses too and soon to debut an eye care product for your pets too.
I always love to see new products debuting at shows like this, whether it is a new company or a well established one with a new product. These beautiful hand beaded collars by Dosha Dog caught my eye. This would be best worn on a short haired dog, in my opinion, as I can easily see a dog with longer hair – getting their fur caught inbetween the beads. So for my short haired doggie fashion friends, I think these collars would be a nice pop on your cute pups.
There were a lot of gift items you can give your pet parent friends at the show too. One that adorns your favorite breed of dog, and keeps you dry at the same time were adogable umbrellas by The San Francisco Umbrella Company. With about 30 popular breeds to choose from (and yes they have an American Pit Bull Terrier one too!), and many color options, this is a cute pet gift item to give the pet lover who has everything!
On the second floor of the show, they had a full sized demo of a pet store called the ‘Store on the Floor’ to give buyers great ideas to display pet merchandise, products and how to lay out your store in a consumer friendly way. Inside the store on the floor, they had puppies and kittens that were up for adoption with the Tails Humane Society – so a nice to see a push for adopting pets out of stores vs. selling. It was great to see at a major pet trade show – the pushing of adoption and working with your local rescue groups.
Overall the show was great seeing a lot of new products, getting to participate in the ‘Smart Zone Education Station’ a series of seminars with expert speakers from around the country, meeting new pet professionals and see many friends and associates. For MANY more PICTURES, click here – a lot more products in our photo section on Facebook too!
Article by Dana Humphrey (dana@whitegatepr.com) photo’s by Long Island Pet Professionals
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! On May 22nd from 7-10pm at the Toyota of Manhattan located at 47th Street and 11th Ave in New York, over 200 people got together for a fun benefit party called LYME AID to raise over $1000 for LymeDisease.org. Attendees wore lime green, learned how to prevent Lyme Disease in their own home and brought their pets (from dogs to cats to bunnies).
At the event all enjoyed live music from Damn Glad, DJ DLITE, an entertaining hula-hoop/dance performance with Benjy Bronk and Elisa Jordana as “BENJELISA”, a documentary film screening of “Under Our Skin”, complimentary paw-dicures with Warren London, a book signing and lime green couture pet fashion showcase with Paul Nathan’s Couture Dogs of New York, glitter tattoos for people and pets, basketball and poker performances with Rick Caran and “Jilli Dog”, special readings with Shira the pet psychic, pictures in the Royal Photo Booth, hot catered food for people and pets, vodka, tequila, Kamoni Ice, beer and non-alcoholic drinks, poetry with Richard Blanco, prizes, raffles and amazing goodie bags! Plus, every goodie bag included a “Tick Kit” with special supplies from PetCareRx.com and Tick SR on how to remove a tick in case you or your pets get one this season.
Special guests included Hostess Maria Milito from Q1043, Jorge Bendersky, Celebrity Groomer, Al Chernoff “Alley Cat” from Rescue Ink and Jackson Galaxy.There were vendor tables ranging from Susi Raphael and Jane Elissa art, to Mary Kay makeup, treats from Clear Conscience Pet, food from the Dog Chef Kevyn Matthews, Dr. Harveys, Natura and Stella & Chewys, Free Acupuncture and Rescue Chocolate!
A HUGE thanks to Toyota of Manhattan and event sponsors PetCareRx.com, Critter Zone USA, Natura Pet and Tick SR for making it happen. CLICK HERE to see a LOT more pictures!
Robyn Elman of In Home Pet Services and Jackson Galaxy from Animal Planet's hit show, My Cat from Hell
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