Good Bloggie!

The FDA released the news yesterday, pet food stored at a Joliet, Illinois Petco distribution center was being stored in unsanitary conditions. It does not state brand names.

Petco stores in 16 states receive their food from the Joliet, Illinois distribution center: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

No illness or deaths have been reported, but the FDA recommends throughly cleaning any surfaces which have come into contact with packaging from these Petco stores.

For the full FDA press release, visit this link:
FDA Press Release

More links to news stories about the event:
Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun Times

Here’s an item destined to be on every Frenchie owner’s wish list: a crate with climate control built in. Keeps you pup cool and warm depending on the setting, runs on a 12V outlet which plugs into the car or home AC outlet, AND has a back-up battery (up to three hours). How’s that for piece of mind on a travel day with temps over 100°?

All this coolness comes with a price tag though. About $150-$300 depending on the size.

You can read more about them at the manufacturer’s website:
Komfort Pets

Online stores selling them, and in the larger sizes:
In the Company of Dogs
Amazon.com

Or do a search for “Komfort Pet Carrier.”

We haven’t gotten our paws on one yet, so if you have used this crate, let us know if the crate is as cool as it sounds.

Just a small reminder: even with today’s tight security, pets don’t need to go through the x-ray machine at the airport, just the carrier or crate. You are allowed to walk or carry your pet through the metal detector.
TSA Press release

If you have a pet which is acting up, and are worried about releasing him/her from a carrier or crate, you can ask for a private screening room.

(And in case you did send Fido down the screening belt, here’s the scoop on the effects.)
Effects and security screening

It’s a busy time for boarding facilities and pet-sitters. This is the time of year when many people travel and take vacations. Prepping your pets and checking out the facility is all part of it.
American Boarding Kennels Association
ASPCA tips on boarding
Denver Post article on boarding

If you are boarding your pet, most facilities will require up-to-date shots and a Bordetella booster. It’s best if you can give the booster 7-10 days prior so immunity has time to develop. What is Bordetella? It’s a type of dog flu, also called “Kennel Cough.” Not fun for your dog or for you.

If you are using a house sitter, make sure they have good references and/or are insured and bonded. Most good sitters will want to meet prior to the first sitting service to meet your pet and discuss their services with you.
10 Recommended Quality Standards for Pet Sitters

The last thing you want to do on a vacation or your time off is worry about your pets. Making sure you have a quality boarding facility or pet-sitter lined up will make your time off much more enjoyable and relaxing.

Happy holidays and safe travels!

No sense in restating what’s been stated so well already. But if you are thinking of giving a holiday puppy, please visit these sites and read the pros and cons. There IS a right and a wrong way to do it.
No Christmas Puppies, Please!
Christmas Puppies? Hanukkah Kittens?
Puppies as Christmas presents?
A puppy for Christmas? Not quite…
The Christmas Puppy

And never thought of this, vets dread and look forward to the holiday-pet aftermath.
Look out! Holiday pets are on their way.