Keep pet records handy for emergencies

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 5, 2004 by Hints

Dear Heloise: We keep a picture of each of our dogs, as well as their licenses, ID tag numbers, current immunization records and important phone numbers in the glove compartment of each of our cars.

We live in Florida, where hurricanes and flooding occur. If we had to evacuate or leave home suddenly, without shot records, we could not board our animals in another location. Also, if we were away from home and needed emergency veterinary care, we would need to provide their shot records.

If somehow my pets got lost, I have pictures to circulate, as well as their microchip information to help locate them. I keep all of these items in a plastic zipper-top bag in the glove box.

This is one important thing we don't have to think about looking for if we have to leave in a hurry. --A Reader, via e-mail

Great information! After all of the hurricanes in Florida, I hope you didn't have to evacuate, but you certainly were prepared for doing everything possible for your pets. --Heloise

Dear Readers: Ellen Albright of Logansport, Ind., owns a 10-month- old Shih Tzu named Maggie. The photo Ellen sent is from when Maggie was 4 months old and covered in mud. She had just learned to use the doggie door. It was a rainy day, and she went outside and dug a hole to play in. Looks like she had fun! --Heloise

Dear Heloise: My son brought home an adorable little rabbit. We'd never had one before, so I didn't know what to expect. We were told to keep the rabbit in a cage and let him out each day for exercise.

The very first day we let Buttons out, he hopped around the room and spotted an extension cord. He immediately started chewing on it, so I put him back in the cage. All I thought about was, What if I hadn't been watching him? He could have caused a house fire.

While shopping, I noticed a plastic tube that is made to slip over electrical cords, and I thought it would be pretty difficult for him to chew through without my noticing him. I bought enough to cover all the cords that were exposed and lifted some of them off the floor. It's pretty safe now. --Karen A., via e-mail

Since you are a new bunny owner, there is a wonderful organization, the House Rabbit Society, that has a Web site, www.rabbit.org, with lots of information you'll find helpful. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a Persian cat. With his flat face, he has a problem eating canned cat food (picking it up).

I put cat food and some water in a blender to mix, pour it into a container and put it in the refrigerator. Then I just put a couple of spoonfuls on a saucer, and he laps it up like drinking water. -- Barbara S. Lemon, Aledo, Ill.

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