Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Pet Safety Tips

Hi everyone,

As you have probably heard, in a matter of hours here on the East Coast we will get to experience a solar eclipse...how cool! For those of you who don't know what one is, according to NASA "Sometimes when the moon orbits Earth, it moves between the sun and Earth. When this happens, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching Earth. This causes an eclipse of the sun, or solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon casts a shadow onto Earth." We all have been warned to not look directly into the sun or to wear special protection glasses. However, the big question that seems to be buzzing around is 'what about our pets safety?'

Thanks to the good folks at Chewy.com, they have written up a quick article that we wanted to share with some pet safety tips.

"Dogs and cats, just like us, are at risk for damaging their retinas if staring at the eclipse,” warns Dr. Alison Birken, owner and DVM of Victoria Park Animal Hospital who recommends that all pets stay safely indoors during the hours of the solar eclipse. And Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, medical director of Pure Paws Vet Care of Hell’s Kitchen and Clinton Hill points out, “In general, with strange phenomenons in terms of the weather and lunar cycles, we can see strange and anxious behavior increase in our pets.” While animals typically know not to stare directly into the sun, “I recommend putting pets inside for the total solar eclipse,” relays Dr. Liff. “I think it’s always better to be safe than sorry."

To read the full article, click here: https://www.chewy.com/petcentral/total-solar-eclipse-2017-pet-safety-tips/

Remember to keep your pets safe and enjoy the eclipse if you are able to!!

Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food while you're away

Good morning,

Today we are sharing an article from The Humane Society on professional pet sitters entitled 'Choosing a Pet Sitter: Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food and water while you're away.' If you are going out of town and have been debating on whether or not to board your pet or hire a professional to come in-home, then this article is for you!

"Pet sitters do much more than provide a pet with food and water while their guardian is away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with the animal, gives them exercise and knows how to tell if they need veterinary attention. What's more, pet sitters typically offer additional services, such as taking in mail and newspapers and watering plants. But just because someone calls themself a pet sitter doesn't mean they're qualified to do the job." To read the entire article and learn why a professional is the best choice, visit the article link here. 

That is why it's so important to hire a PROFESSIONAL! Your pets are part of the family and their care should be left in the hands of reliable, knowledgeable sitters with resources to share. That's why at Walking Wetnoses, we work hard to keep our pets (and their owners) in the Leesburg, Virginia area so happy. We are a full-service pet sitting company with years of experienced pet lovers on staff. To learn more about our affordable services visit: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/

Inconsistent Schedule? Not a problem!

Good afternoon pet owners,

We often get asked, do we accommodate inconsistent schedules? And the answer is... absolutely!

While we do have clients with consistent schedules (Monday through Friday, or every Tuesday and Thursday, for example), we also have clients who work from home and have to go into the office sporadically for meetings. Or we have clients who work shifts that change every few weeks or months. Once you are signed up as a client, we will work with you to provide services that meet your schedule. We prefer at least a day’s notice to add a visit – the shorter the notice is, the harder it might be to get your primary walker on the schedule. As always, you can cancel a regularly scheduled visit by 8 am the day of the walk at no charge.

Does this sound like it might work for you and your pets? Do you live in Leesburg, Virginia or the surrounding area?  If so, give us a call or text today at 703-951-PETS (7387). You can also learn more or read other frequently asked questions by visiting our website, www.walkingwetnoses.com.

Preparing Your Pet For Disaster

Good afternoon,

Although none of us like to think about it, natural disasters can happen to all of us. Depending on what area you live in can change the nature of the disaster. However we always think about preparing ourselves and our homes in case a disaster should happen,  but often times overlook our pets. Does your disaster emergency kit contain things for your furry loved ones? If not, this article might be for you!

Sharing from Modern Dog Magazine, this article talks about ways in which you can prepare your pet for disaster if it were to strike. "No matter where you live, it is important to be prepared for the types of disasters that can occur in your area, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Some disasters can even be so devastating they require evacuation. In this case, Angela Clendenin, public information officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), said it is best to take your furry family members with you.

“After a disaster strikes, the area in and around homes can be quite dangerous for pets,” Clendenin said. (http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/preparing-your-pet-disaster/108718 )

For example, downed power lines can create a tremendous danger for animals, especially where a power line has fallen into a home or backyard. Additionally, fencing that has fallen or broken into pieces also can cause injury or death in pets."

It is also important to have a preparedness kit for disaster when you go away for vacation, etc. All of our pet sitters are professionally trained in case of disaster, however it's important to go over everything with your pet sitter before you leave. This is especially true if you have older pets or pets with special medications.

To learn more about our professional pet sitting and dog walking services in Leesburg, Virginia visit us at: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/