Tag Archives: animal care

My Mini Zoo – New Pet Blogger Intro

As a new pet blogger here at Families.com I felt I should write an introduction post and share the story of my mini-zoo with everyone. I’ve had pets ever since I could remember. In fact, none of my homes have felt complete unless there was at least one four-legged furry critter running around. About ten years ago this love for all things feathered, furry or finned hit a high point. My second daughter worked at Petsmart at the time so she always had some tale of woe about a guinea pig, hamster, snake, fish, or other animal that had been … Continue reading →

Holiday Help for Animal Shelters

Let’s face it: most animal shelters need help throughout the year in the form of volunteers, monetary donations, and donations of food and other items for the residents. But the holidays are a great time to offer a little extra help to your favorite shelter! If you’re the sort of person who buys holiday gifts for your furry, feathered, and scaly family members, you might want to think about picking up an extra something and bringing it to your local shelter. Food, treats, and toys are always welcome. Your local shelter may also keep a list of specifics they need … Continue reading →

Thoughts on a Year at the B&B

Time sure flies when you’re scooping kitty litter! Today is my one year anniversary with the cats-only boarding facility. I’ve learned a lot about our feline friends over the last three hundred and sixty-five days. The first (and most important) thing I’ve learned is a true appreciation for cats. When I first started work at the cats-only boarding facility, I knew a little bit about kitties. I’ve never owned one of my own due to allergies and a general preference for dogs… but after the past year? I could see myself living with a cat someday. It’s the guests themselves … Continue reading →

You Know You Work With Animals If…

Posted on by

With apologies to that Jeff Foxworthy guy, I saw a list of “how you know you’re a vet tech” today. Some of the things made me giggle; others made me go “huh?” But then, I’m not a vet tech. But I was inspired to start my own list: you know you work with animals if… You pluck shed tufts or pick eye goobers off other people’s pets. I’m guilty of this one all the time. I can’t resist picking those eye goobers! You measure your own pets’ food very carefully. Since I started at the cats-only boarding facility, I’ve gotten … Continue reading →

Fun at Farm Camp

Last week, my nine year olds went to a 4-H and Extension Service sponsored camp that we called “farm camp” or “goat camp”. We called it “goat camp” because they actually got to care for pygmy goats for the week. I loved that my city dwelling children got to learn about and care for farm animals. Other animals were available too – miniature horses, llamas, dairy goats, and rabbits. Each child got to pick an animal to be “theirs” for the week. My boys got to learn how to wash a goat and how to brush it. Their goats were … Continue reading →

Selecting a Vet

If you’ve just added your first fur-baby to the family, congratulations! Regardless of whether you have a baby, adult, or senior, one of the first things you should do is take your new pet for a checkup. So how do you pick the right one? Use some of the same criteria you used when you picked your family doctors: location, convenience of hours, friendliness of staff, availability of walk-in hours and emergency services, affiliations, and fees. Location, Location, Location! Is your potential vet relatively close to home? How far are you willing to drive? Is the office in an easy-to-access … Continue reading →